The Family First Act: An unprecedented opportunity to transform child welfare

Kids should grow up in safe, stable and secure families who support their long-term well-being. Research makes it clear — growing up in a family is essential for all kids, especially those who have experienced abuse or neglect. Family First is an opportunity moment that offers exciting possibilities for us to be responsive to the specific needs of children, teens and families. 

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Family First Resource Database

This database has been compiled by partner organizations and contains links to resources relating to the Family First Act. Search by resource type, topic, geographic location, or source. Note that you may view two ways: summary and list.  Have a Family First resource that you think would be useful? Share it here >

Family Reunification LEAB Report

Child welfare is a complex and deeply sensitive field, where the lives of vulnerable children intersect with the intricacies of family dynamics and societal support systems. In the pursuit of... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

Official outlines efforts to divert WV children from residential care

Deputy Secretary of Children and Adult Services Cammie Chapman this week updated West Virginia lawmakers on the effort to reduce the state’s reliance on residential treatment facilities for children with... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits ended

Child poverty in the United States more than doubled and median household income declined last year when coronavirus pandemic-era government benefits expired and inflation kept rising , according to figures... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

Every single one of us, if we live long enough, is likely to experience being a family caregiver, needing a family caregiver, or both. Each year, more than 53 million... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities

Every day, four to eight children in the United States die from abuse or neglect at the hands of their parents or caretakers. No one knows the exact number, and... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

The Elephant in the Room: The Role of Poverty in Child Maltreatment (Podcast)

What role do poverty and economic hardship play in child maltreatment and neglect? And how can child welfare systems prevent them? UW Professor of Social Work Kristen Slack will hare... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

Program for Central Florida foster teens promises alternative to group homes

Gaybrielle Crawford is the executive director of Love Made Visible . She entered the foster care system at nine years old and bounced around group homes until she aged out... (Read more)

Published Sep 19, 2023

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
Fact Sheet: Children Thrive in Grandfamilies Data / Research Kinship 06/05/23
5 Years of Empowering Families: Expert Panel on the Family First Act Presentation/Webinar Overview / General 05/30/23
National Foster Care Month Resources Data / Research, Implementation Strategies Prevention 05/30/23
Early Childhood Education and Care secretary talks about stabilizing families with new funds News Prevention 05/30/23
Commentary: Maine’s new plan to keep kids safe by keeping families strong News Prevention 05/30/23
Kinship Caregiving Options: Consideration for Caregivers Implementation Strategies Kinship 05/22/23
Family Engagement: Partnering With Families to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes Implementation Strategies Prevention, Overview / General 05/22/23
Evidence Base for Avoiding Family Separation in Child Welfare Practice Data / Research Prevention, Overview / General, Kinship 05/22/23
Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National Data to Drive Foster Care Advocacy Data / Research Older Youth / Chafee 05/15/23
Benefits of Kinship Placement: Social science support for your in-court and out-of-court legal advocacy. Implementation Strategies Kinship 05/15/23
Transition to Adulthood and Independent Living Advocacy Tools Older Youth / Chafee 05/15/23
Family First Prevention Services Act Data / Research Prevention, Overview / General, Courts, Older Youth / Chafee 05/15/23
Advancing Primary Prevention in Human Services: Convening Findings Data / Research Prevention 05/08/23
Economic and Concrete Supports are Key Ingredients in Programs Designed to Prevent Child Welfare Involvement Data / Research Prevention 05/08/23
Seen, Heard, and Represented: A Policymaker’s Guide to Counsel for Kids Law / Summary Overview / General 05/08/23
State-level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States Data / Research Overview / General 05/08/23
Kinship Navigator Programs Around the United States Advocacy Tools, State Teams Kinship 05/08/23
Family First Prevention Services Act: Questions and Answers Law / Summary Overview / General 05/08/23
Resources to Support Youth Mental Health Advocacy Tools, News Prevention 05/01/23
Episode 53: Creating a Family First Prevention Plan - Utah Title IV-E Prevention Plan Overview / General 05/01/23
Oregon DHS says collaboration, support help strengthen families, prevent child abuse News Prevention 05/01/23
Adoption and Guardianship for Children in Kinship Foster Care Data / Research Kinship 05/01/23
Project GRANDD helps grandparents raise their grandchildren News Kinship 05/01/23
Summary of Programs Rated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse (as of April 7, 2023) Data / Research Overview / General 04/24/23
2023/2024 Prevention Resource Guide Advocacy Tools Prevention 04/24/23
RECORDED WEBINAR: A Key Connection: Economic Stability and Family Well-being--Addressing economic hardship as a factor in child welfare involvement Presentation/Webinar Prevention 04/24/23
Reducing Reliance on Congregate Care: Our Priorities Constituent Engagement QRTP / Congregate Care 04/24/23
Updates to KY Benefits Program 'KTAP' Aim to Help Family Caregivers News, Law / Summary Kinship 04/17/23
'Supporting parents, supports kids' | Healthy Families prevents child abuse and neglect News Prevention 04/17/23
Grand Resource: Help for Grandfamilies Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use Part 2 Data / Research Kinship 04/17/23
Grand Resource: Help for Grandfamilies Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use Data / Research Kinship 04/17/23
FFPSA Prevention Provisions That Can Benefit Older Youth Law / Summary Older Youth / Chafee 04/17/23
National Family Support Network: Family Resource Center Learning Hub Advocacy Tools Prevention 04/17/23
Improving Youth Engagement and Access to Mental Health Services Constituent Engagement 04/17/23
Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month News Prevention 04/10/23
California’s Five-Year State Prevention Plan Title IV-E Prevention Plan 04/10/23
Family First Clearinghouse Approves New Programs News Overview / General 04/10/23
Ascending Flow helps young people aging out of foster care find creative outlets News Older Youth / Chafee 04/10/23
Prevention and Early Intervention Outcomes (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services) Data / Research Prevention 04/10/23
Higher Education Retention of Young Adults who have experienced Foster Care Constituent Engagement Older Youth / Chafee 04/10/23
Systemic Approaches to Addressing Child and Family Trauma are Key to Fully Leveraging Family First Implementation Strategies Evidence-Based Practice 04/05/23
Preventing the Recurrence of Abuse or Neglect Implementation Strategies Prevention 04/05/23
Child Welfare and FFPSA Implementation Strategies 04/05/23
GAO Report: HHS Is Taking Steps to Help States Support Relative Caregivers with Evidence­-Based Programs Data / Research Kinship 04/05/23
Legal information for kinship caregivers Law / Summary Courts 03/27/23
Congregate Care in the Age of FFPSA Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care 03/27/23
Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Title IV-B, Subpart 2 Funding Available to Develop and Enhance or to Evaluate Kinship Navigator Programs Program Instructions Kinship 03/27/23
Family First Implementation: A One-Year Review of State Progress in Reforming Congregate Care Data / Research QRTP / Congregate Care 03/27/23
Title IV-E Prevention Plan State of Wyoming Title IV-E Prevention Plan Evidence-Based Practice 03/20/23
Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews and Monitoring of Certain Provisions regarding the Family First Prevention Services Act Guidance Overview / General 03/20/23
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