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 >

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Data / Research

Kinship Services in Tribal Child Welfare Policy Toolkit

This toolkit, developed by our partners at the National Indian Child Welfare Association , has two parts. Part one examines several issues that tribal child welfare programs might want to... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Data / Research

Kinship Care Supports the Academic Performance of Children

Children and youth who successfully learn how to read, write, and perform basic math skills are more likely to go to college , find good jobs, and attain financial security... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Program Instructions

NEW RULE: Separate Licensing or Approval Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes

This rule finalizes revisions to the definition of “foster family home” proposed on February 14, 2023 (here after referred to as the February 2023 NPRM). Title IV–E agencies may choose... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

News

The Biden-Harris Administration Awards $20 Million to Launch First National Center to Support Mental Health Services in the Child Welfare System

On September 25th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded $20 million to launch the first-ever National Center for... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Implementation Strategies

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Support Children and Families in Foster Care

In honor of National Kinship Care Month, the Administration released a historic package of regulations to ensure children in the child welfare system thrive. Read the factsheet from the White... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Data / Research, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies

Spotlight on Creating a More Equitable Child Welfare System

This issue of CBX highlights the importance of prioritizing and advancing racial equity in child welfare. Read a message from Associate Commissioner Aysha E. Schomburg about the dream of creating... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Data / Research

Child Safety Forward Implementation Study Final Report

This is the final evaluation report for Child Safety Forward , a four-year demonstration initiative that engaged five sites across the U.S. in research, planning, and implementation around strategies aimed... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
Youth Villages: Keeping Children with Families Case Study Prevention
Oregon
Tennessee
Youth Villages
02/20/19
Youth Law Center's COVID-19 Resources Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
04/15/20
Youth Justice and the Family First Advocacy Tools
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Other
06/30/20
Youth & Alumni Priorities on Preventing Unnecessary Removal Advocacy Tools Prevention
FosterClub
10/21/19
Young People Need Families: Taking a Hard Look at Government’s Role in Raising Children Advocacy Tools
Other
08/18/20
Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities Advocacy Tools, Data / Research Prevention, Child Fatalities
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
09/19/23
WISCONSIN’S FIVE-YEAR PREVENTION PLAN Title IV-E Prevention Plan Overview / General
Wisconsin
Other
12/27/22
Wisconsin's Family First Website State Teams QRTP / Congregate Care, Prevention, Overview / General
Wisconsin
Other
10/23/20
Where the Light Beams Part 1: You are the Prize Real Story Prevention
Federal
Other
09/27/21
What Parents Say About: Supporting Families to Provide a Strong Start for Their Young Children Real Story, Constituent Engagement Prevention
Federal
Iowa
South Carolina
Birth Parent National Network
Children's Trust Fund Alliance
12/30/20
What Parents Say About Building A 21st Century Community-Based Approach to Strengthening Families. Advocacy Tools, Real Story, Constituent Engagement Prevention
Federal
Birth Parent National Network
Children's Trust Fund Alliance
02/26/20
What keeps community-based organizations from contracting with child welfare agencies, and what can be done about it? Data / Research Prevention, Overview / General
Federal
Casey Family Programs
08/14/23
What Is Prevention and Why Is It Important? Guidance Prevention
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
04/23/19
What are some ways San Francisco’s Family Resource Centers strengthen families and protect children? Real Story, Constituent Engagement Prevention
California
Casey Family Programs
07/17/23
What are some of the foundational elements, strategies and opportunities for child welfare financing? Financing, Presentation/Webinar Overview / General
Casey Family Programs
12/19/18
What are some considerations when bringing evidence-based interventions to scale? Real Story Evidence-Based Practice
Indiana
Casey Family Programs
12/19/22
What are some considerations for employing and supporting youth peer mentors in child welfare? Data / Research
Federal
Casey Family Programs
09/11/23
What are some considerations for employing and supporting youth peer mentors in child welfare? Data / Research
Federal
Tribal
Casey Family Programs
09/19/23
West Virginia Families Come First: 5 Year Plan for Title IV-E Prevention Services 2019-2024 Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Implementation Strategies Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
West Virginia
Other
09/14/20
WEBINAR: COVID-19 and Child Welfare Cases Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar COVID-19
American Bar Association
04/07/20
Webinar Recording:Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Preventing Unnecessary Removal of Children from their Families Advocacy Tools, Real Story, Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement Prevention
Federal
Other
10/22/19
Webinar Recording: Utilizing Casey Family Programs’ Community Opportunity Map to Support Family Resource Centers Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Other
10/28/20
Webinar Recording: Parents and Caregivers: A Community-based Multidisciplinary Approach to Strengthening Families Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Tribal
American Bar Association
Birth Parent National Network
Children's Trust Fund Alliance
12/01/20
Webinar Recording: DC Families First Family Success Center Initiative: Advancing Equity and Transforming Child Welfare Presentation/Webinar Prevention
District of Columbia
Other
11/18/20
Webinar Recording: Communications Strategies around Family First: Examples and Lessons Learned from Early Adopter Jurisdictions Advocacy Tools Overview / General
Federal
Casey Family Programs
Other
12/12/19
Webinar Recording: Leveraging the Family First Prevention Services Act to Improve the Use of Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program Presentation/Webinar, Implementation Strategies Kinship
Federal
American Bar Association
Casey Family Programs
Children's Defense Fund
Generations United
12/11/19
Webinar Recording & Recap: A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Quality Residential Services Advocacy Tools QRTP / Congregate Care
Other
07/07/20
WA’s $5M youth homelessness effort is ramping up. Is it working? News Older Youth / Chafee
Washington
Other
09/05/23
Ways to Promote Children’s Resilience to the COVID-19 Pandemic Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Child Trends
04/02/20
Washington State Title IV-E Prevention Program Plan (approved) State Teams, Title IV-E Prevention Plan Prevention
Washington
Other
10/01/20
Washington State Family First Prevention (IV-E Program) Services Plan State Teams, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Washington
Other
12/20/19
Washington State DCYF Practice Improvement and Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
06/29/20
Washington Family First Website State Teams QRTP / Congregate Care, Prevention, Pregnant & Parenting, Overview / General, Older Youth / Chafee, Kinship
Washington
Other
06/29/21
Washington DC Title IV-E Prevention Program Plan State Teams, Title IV-E Prevention Plan Prevention
District of Columbia
Other
09/08/20
Virtual Visitation: Guidelines Guidance & Resources to Support Virtual Parenting Time Advocacy Tools
Other
07/24/20
Virtual Family Time: Tips for Families Advocacy Tools
Other
09/17/20
Virtual and Remote Workforce Needs Advocacy Tools
Other
09/17/20
Virginia Department of Social Services - Family First State Teams, Guidance Overview / General
Virginia
Other
08/06/19
Virginia Department of Social Services & Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
06/30/20
Vermont's Title IV-E Prevention Services Plan Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Vermont
Other
06/26/23
Utah's Family First Plan Approved News Prevention
Utah
Other
12/12/19
Utah Title IV-E 5-Year Prevention Plan State Teams, Title IV-E Prevention Plan Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Utah
Other
08/30/19
Utah submits Family First Act Prevention plan ahead of Oct. 1 start date (Press release) News Overview / General
Utah
Other
09/08/19
Using New Federal Funding Opportunities to Develop Effective Kinship Navigator Programs Presentation/Webinar Kinship
Generations United
12/04/18
Using Media Effectively with Young Children & Virtual Visitation Advocacy Tools
Other
07/24/20
Using In Home Services to prevent foster care in Austin, Texas Implementation Strategies Prevention
Texas
Casey Family Programs
01/08/19
Useful Resources for Children and Families During the COVID-19 Crisis Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Children's Defense Fund
04/30/20
Updates to KY Benefits Program 'KTAP' Aim to Help Family Caregivers News, Law / Summary Kinship
Kentucky
Other
04/17/23
Unlocking the “Prevention Services” in the Family First Prevention Services Act Guidance Overview / General
Federal
American Public Human Services Association
12/16/21
Understanding Trauma to Promote Healing in Child Welfare Real Story, Data / Research Prevention
California
Other
12/20/19
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