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 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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Advocacy Tools

Virginia Department of Social Services & Family First

Family First Act underscores the importance of children growing up in families and seeks to avoid the traumatic experience of children being separated from their families and entering foster care... (Read more)

Published Jun 30, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Maine's Child and Family Services & Family First

Maine's Child and Family Services released a Family First Fact Sheet that defines Family First and outlines what Maine is doing to implement Family First. You can find more information... (Read more)

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Washington State DCYF Practice Improvement and Family First

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) embraces Family First implementation as an opportunity to expand the choices and support we provide to children, youth and families... (Read more)

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

NCCD and Family First

NCCD created a resource to help agencies with their Family First efforts. As the first organization to have an independent technical review process approved by ACF and as a partner... (Read more)

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Listings and Clearinghouses

This resource released by the Family Centered Treatment Foundation includes listings and clearinghouses for evidence based practices. You can find the resource here .(Read more)

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

FCT approved for IV-E Prevention Services under Family First

Family Centered Treatment as an evidence-based, and now deemed, well-supported trauma treatment model of home-based family therapy is well positioned to support families as part of FFA. FCT is categorized... (Read more)

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Partnering in Practice

Child Welfare Information Gateway released information regarding positive partnerships between birth parents, caregivers, caseworkers, and/or older youth often making the difference in ensuring reunification. The information includes the lived experience... (Read more)

Published Jun 26, 2020

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
Virginia Department of Social Services & Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
06/30/20
Maine's Child and Family Services & Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
06/29/20
Washington State DCYF Practice Improvement and Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
06/29/20
NCCD and Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
National Council on Crime & Deliquency
06/29/20
Listings and Clearinghouses Advocacy Tools Evidence-Based Practice
Family Centered Treatment Foundation
06/29/20
FCT approved for IV-E Prevention Services under Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Family Centered Treatment Foundation
06/29/20
Partnering in Practice Advocacy Tools
Other
06/26/20
Executive Order on Strengthening the Child Welfare System for America’s Children Law / Summary
Federal
Other
06/23/20
Letter from Dr. Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of Children's Bureau to state and tribal child welfare leaders Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
06/22/20
Resources to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being Amid Anti-Black Racism, Racial Violence, and Trauma Advocacy Tools
Child Trends
06/22/20
A Podcast: A Guide to Implementing Family First Implementation Strategies Prevention
American Academy of Pediatrics
Child Focus
Children's Defense Fund
06/19/20
Addressing the decline in child abuse reports and supporting child well-being Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
06/15/20
Op-ed on 21st century child and family well being systems Advocacy Tools Overview / General
Other
06/14/20
Parent Voice Advocacy Tools
Children's Trust Fund Alliance
06/12/20
Family Is Essential Advocacy Tools, Opinion
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
06/11/20
Child Welfare Worker Safety in the Time of COVID: CDC Recommendations for In-Person Interactions with Families Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
06/10/20
Resources from the Webinar on Child Welfare Worker Safety in the Time of COVID Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
06/10/20
Supplemental funding under Title IV-B, Subpart 1 of the Act to prevent, prepare for, or respond to, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Program Instructions
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
06/07/20
Direct Service Provision during the COVID-19 Pandemic Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Child Trends
06/04/20
Education During COVID-19 Advocacy Tools
American Bar Association
Other
06/04/20
State Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advocacy Tools
National Conference of State Legislatures
06/03/20
Supporting Clients in Under-resourced Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Child Trends
05/29/20
Letter from Dr. Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of Children's Bureau to Child Welfare Directors Advocacy Tools, Guidance COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
05/25/20
Joint letter from the ACF and HRSA to promote family strengthening during COVID-19 Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
05/22/20
Kansas Family First Prevention Plan APPROVED Implementation Strategies Prevention
Kansas
Other
05/22/20
Considerations for Tele-visit Sessions for Behavioral Health Family Centered Treatment® Practitioners Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
05/22/20
SYP: What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis? Advocacy Tools COVID-19
FosterClub
05/21/20
NFYI CORONAVIRUS RAPID RESPONSE Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
05/20/20
Building Capacity for Disaster Preparedness at a Child Welfare Agency Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
05/20/20
Court-Focused Technology Platform Comparison Guide Advocacy Tools Courts
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
05/20/20
Statement Regarding Safe Courts and Access to Justice During COVID-19 from NCJFCJ Advocacy Tools COVID-19, Courts
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
05/14/20
Recent additions to the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Advocacy Tools Evidence-Based Practice
Other
05/14/20
COVID-19 Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers Advocacy Tools COVID-19
National Conference of State Legislatures
05/13/20
COVID-19 and Older Youth in the Child Welfare System Advocacy Tools COVID-19
National Conference of State Legislatures
05/13/20
COVID-19 and Congregate Care Facilities Advocacy Tools COVID-19
National Conference of State Legislatures
05/13/20
National Indian Child Welfare Association COVID-19 Resources Advocacy Tools COVID-19
National Indian Child Welfare Association
05/13/20
COVID-19 and Child Welfare Caseworkers Advocacy Tools COVID-19
National Conference of State Legislatures
05/07/20
Child Welfare Funding Updates in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Financing COVID-19
Public Consulting Group
05/06/20
Title IV-E Administrative Functions/Costs, Allowable Costs Financing Overview / General
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
05/06/20
Family Centered Treatment Foundation Resources Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
05/06/20
Letter from Jerry MIlner, Associate Commissioner of Children's Bureau, to the Child Welfare Workforce Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
05/06/20
North Dakota seeks comments on its foster care prevention plan Advocacy Tools Prevention
North Dakota
Other
05/02/20
Family Voices United Resource Page Advocacy Tools Overview / General
Other
04/30/20
Claiming Traditional and Prevention Candidates Under Family First Advocacy Tools Overview / General
Public Consulting Group
04/30/20
Useful Resources for Children and Families During the COVID-19 Crisis Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Children's Defense Fund
04/30/20
Letter From Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner Of Children's Bureau on Title IV-E Flexibilities Guidance COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
04/28/20
ACYF-CB-IM-20-06: The Administration of Titles IV-E and IV-B Program Instructions COVID-19
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
04/28/20
ACYF-CB-PI-20-09 : Approval of a revised form for reporting financial data on the title IV-E Service Programs Program Instructions Overview / General
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
04/27/20
NCSL Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for States Advocacy Tools COVID-19
National Conference of State Legislatures
04/23/20
CARES Act and Grandfamilies Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Generations United
04/23/20
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