Integrative Family and Systems Treatment

The Buckeye Ranch adheres to the Integrative Family and Systems Treatment (I-FAST) approach to family-centered treatment in our home- and office-based programs. I-FAST is a treatment approach organized around treatment elements common in successful evidence-based models of treatment. I-FAST is a strengths-based approach with the goal of reducing out-of-home placements. It is based on the following assumptions: (1) effective treatment of high-risk youth necessitates treatment of the family system, (2) families are resilient and have strengths and resources that can be used in building solutions and achieving client change, (3) effective treatment must include coordination and collaboration among the diverse organizations providing services to the youth and the family, and (4) effective treatment is built upon training and retaining excellent staff. A University-based evaluation comparing I-FAST treated families at the Buckeye Ranch with MST outcomes demonstrated equivalent or better success rates for I-FAST treatment.