Services

The Institute is highly acclaimed throughout New Jersey and the nation for its innovative programs that intervene with multiple family members concerning issues of empowerment and accountability creating rich connections for families. The IFS faculty teaches their expanded model of family therapy to postgraduates and offers training in the Cultural Context Model at the state, national and international level. Click here to hear what some of our clients and peer reviews have to say about us.

Breaking Down School Violence
Repeated assaults on children in schools has fueled renewed conversations about societal violence, albeit in the same compartmentalized fashion. A recent Internet survey on solutions to school based violence included such ideas as breaking down group barriers in the classroom by teaching children early on about the First Amendment and its possible cruel impacts. Does an unrestricted Internet create severe hazards for those without protection -- i.e. children and youth? Are parents able to balance their children’s increased demands for the internet with safety? What about children/youth who spend hours unsupervised intimately connected to the internet, when their parents are at work? Click here for more on this issue.

IFS trainings on school violence feature roundtable discussions, using popular film vignettes to spark critical dialogue and inquiry. Conflict resolution has become a buzzword for reducing tensions. While this sort of intervention can be useful in diminishing overt aggression it provides administrators a "quick fix" that doesn't really change the underlying causes of violence and bullying.

Critical questions must be raised: Can the debate around First Amendment help parents to supervise their kids more efficiently? Or, can breaking down barriers of class, culture, immigration, race, and gender in the classroom help reduce school based violence by creating a more embracing and just environment ?

Services for Professionals
Institute services for professionals include specific trainings and internships in the Cultural Context Model (CCM). This approach is in process of being instituted at several locations nationally and internationally. Dr. Rebecca Chaisson of Tulane University School of Social Work New Orleans, is in  the process of bringing this social justice approach to local organizations. Gail Rice, of Safe Places in Austin, Texas is collaborating with Dr. Marilyn Armour and Dr. Noel Busch, of the University of Texas, School of Social Work to institute it in Austin. Dr. Carolyn Tubbs of Drexel University Marriage and Family Program is collaborating with the Institute on evaluating and disseminating research on the CCM. Lisa Dressner and Dr. Andrae Brown of Affinity Counseling Center in New Jersey have incorporated the CCM. Outside of the US Jamaica, Ecuador Sweden and India have received intense training.

Supervision Services
The Institute offers Supervision for social workers, marriage and family therapists and counselors who are seeking licensure. We also offer Supervision of Supervision to those professionals seeking to develop their supervision skills. Dr. Almeida is an approved Marriage and Family Supervisor (AAMFT).

Intervention Program
IFS also offers an intervention program, as well as a one-year program in violence prevention for schools. The schools program examines the effects of class, culture, immigration, race, and gender on school based-violence. Going further, it presents a model that encompasses all of the realities that feed into the creation of a violent culture. For more on school violence, click here.

Family Therapy for Postgraduates
The IFS faculty teaches family therapy at the postgraduate level and offers trainings at the state, national and international level. Students learn about all models of family therapy emphasizing the CCM. Added benefits to this training include observation of senior clinicians and live supervision. Mentorship through writing and presenting  at conferences is another bonus.

Workplace Violence
When addressing issues of workplace violence, you want a proven, effective program. Get the help you need. Take Charge teaches your managers or EAP counselors how to identify abusers and abuse-related issues and educates to sharpen employee awareness. We can help you:

• Anticipate potential problems through workshops employing the innovative and proven Cultural Context Model.
• Learn from the real-life experiences of abusers in the workplace.
• Reduce financial stress by preventing those costs abusers normally incur in lost work, legal fees, jail time, etc.
• Increase employee morale. Take Charge means less stress, increased safety, lower health care costs and greater productivity.
• Decrease your threat of liability.
• Protect your reputation.

If you would like to learn more about working with the Institute for Family Services,
please call us at 732-873-1663 or e-mail us at WeCare4UIFS@aol.com.

Institute for Family Services, 3 Clyde Road, Suite 101, Somerset, NJ 08873