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Intensive In-Home Treatment Program

Our Intensive In-Home Treatment (IIHT) program provides critical support to caregivers and children, working directly within your home to prevent out-of-home placements. We strengthen family units by fostering healthier relationships and behaviours where they matter most.

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Type:

Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Intensive, Psychiatric

Age:

6 – 12 years

Fees:

Free

Referral:

Caregivers or service providers can make a referral with caregiver agreement. Referrals are made through Help Ahead Central Point of Intake.
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Eligibility:

Children living with mental health, social and behavioural difficulties or low-high average cognitive functioning.
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Languages offered:

English, *Translation services available

Location:

In the community

Hours:

Monday−Friday, 7 AM − 7 PM

For intake & referral

Call Help Ahead at 1-866-585-6486

Submit an Online Referral
Strengthening Families, Stabilizing Homes

Our Intensive In-Home Treatment (IIHT) program provides critical support to caregivers and children, working directly within your home to prevent out-of-home placements. We strengthen family units by fostering healthier relationships and behaviours where they matter most.

This program addresses challenges like invalidating environments, attachment issues, trauma, or other mental health difficulties through intensive, tailored interventions.

Is This Program Right for Your Family?

We support caregivers (biological, kin/kith, or foster) and their children aged 6 to 12 years.

Your child may present with:

  • Significant externalizing behaviours (e.g., aggression, hyperactivity, severe dysregulation)
  • Internalizing behaviours (e.g., anxiety, depression, withdrawal, self-harm)
  • Emotional dysregulation, trauma, or attachment disruptions

Caregivers should be:

  • Experiencing significant parenting challenges, with a child at risk of leaving the home;
  • Ready and willing to engage actively in intensive treatment, including weekend programming;
  • Not in a state of immediate crisis;
  • Seeking solutions after less intensive services have been unsuccessful; and
  • Addressing issues primarily related to mental health.

Exclusion:

Not suitable for individuals with FASD, MID, or ASD diagnoses, who require specialized services.

What We Offer

Our program combines therapy and direct in-home support from Individual/Family Therapists and Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCPs), backed by a multidisciplinary team.

Key areas of support:

  • Caregiver Coaching: Hands-on guidance during daily routines (e.g., mornings, meals, bedtime) to build connection and engagement.
  • Home Environment Support: Help with schedules, safe spaces, and managing technology.
  • Relationship Building: Strategies to strengthen parent-child bonds, communication, and co-regulation.
  • Behaviour & Skill Development: Consistent parenting, positive incentive systems, and conflict resolution.
  • Therapy & Education: Addressing trauma, attachment, and mental health diagnoses.

Our services are grounded in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Circle of Security Program (COSP). Services are culturally appropriate and guided by IDEA principles.

How We Deliver Support

  • Intensive Coaching: CYCPs provide 16-18 hours/week of direct in-home support, scheduled flexibly for key routines.
  • Weekend Programming: Access to skills groups and workshops.
  • Individual & Family Therapy: Provided by therapists.
  • Integrated Approach: A multidisciplinary team reviews treatment biweekly, with built-in rest days for skill practice.

Expected Outcomes

We aim for:

  • Improved caregiver responsiveness and confidence.
  • Reduced child dysregulation and behavioural issues.
  • Stable home routines and secure attachment.
  • Sustained family functioning or foster placements.
  • Coordinated community support for long-term stability.

Follow-up is available for up to 3 months post-discharge.

How to Access the Program

Referrals: Caregivers or service providers can make a referral with caregiver agreement. Referrals are made through Help Ahead Central Point of Intake.

Assessment Process:

  1. Initial Meetings: Up to three meetings to determine needs, readiness, and shared goals.
  2. Formal Assessment: Develops up to three targeted goals within 21 days, with expected outcomes achievable in 12 weeks.

Ready to learn more or make a referral? Call Help Ahead at 1-866-585-6486.

For intake & referral

Call Help Ahead at 1-866-585-6486

Submit an Online Referral
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