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

National Adoption Month 2020 - Engage Youth: Listen and Learn

The Child Welfare Information Gateway developed a website for National Adoption Month 2020. The website includes resources for child welfare professionals, for legal professionals, and for youth. It also features... (Read more)

Published Sep 24, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

The Guardian: A Quarterly Law Journal Published by NACC

The Guardian is a quarterly law journal published by the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) exclusively for its members. However, NACC has made the fall volume of their... (Read more)

Published Sep 24, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Building Communities of Hope: Creating a Better Future For Children & Families in a Time of Crisis

Casey Family Programs released a report that reflects the dramatically transformed landscape for children and families as the country confronts a global pandemic, economic disruption and its history of systemic... (Read more)

Published Sep 24, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Supporting Parenting and Expectant Teens in Foster Care

In the crush of child welfare, State and local agencies may struggle with providing appropriate and holistic services to older youth in care who are parents or expecting the arrival... (Read more)

Published Sep 17, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Virtual and Remote Workforce Needs

Child welfare professionals routinely meet with children and families in their communities. Sometimes environmental factors, such as a public health crisis, or situational factors, such as caseload and travel demands,... (Read more)

Published Sep 17, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Virtual Family Time: Tips for Families

Family time, also known as parent-child visits, is critical to promoting family bonding and setting the stage for successful reunification. Although in-person contact is preferred, there are extreme occasions when... (Read more)

Published Sep 17, 2020

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Advocacy Tools

Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse: Public Call for Program & Service Recommendations

The Prevention Services Clearinghouse is pleased to announce that a public call for program and service recommendations is now open. This call is an opportunity for the public to recommend... (Read more)

Published Sep 17, 2020

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
National Adoption Month 2020 - Engage Youth: Listen and Learn Advocacy Tools
Other
09/24/20
The Guardian: A Quarterly Law Journal Published by NACC Advocacy Tools
National Association of Counsel for Children
09/24/20
Building Communities of Hope: Creating a Better Future For Children & Families in a Time of Crisis Advocacy Tools
Casey Family Programs
09/24/20
Supporting Parenting and Expectant Teens in Foster Care Advocacy Tools
Other
09/17/20
Virtual and Remote Workforce Needs Advocacy Tools
Other
09/17/20
Virtual Family Time: Tips for Families Advocacy Tools
Other
09/17/20
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse: Public Call for Program & Service Recommendations Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
09/17/20
Education and Skills Training May Ease Transition to Adulthood for Young People Involved in Foster Care Advocacy Tools, Data / Research
Child Trends
09/14/20
COIVD-19: Foster Care and Education Advocacy Tools COVID-19
American Bar Association
Juvenile Law Center
Other
09/11/20
Implications of COVID-19 on the Research and Evaluation Provisions of Family First Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Child Trends
09/08/20
First-of-its-Kind National Partnership Aims to Redesign Child Welfare Into Child- and Family Well-Being Systems Advocacy Tools
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Casey Family Programs
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
Other
09/08/20
Title IV-E Clearinghouse: New Ratings Advocacy Tools
Other
09/04/20
Title IV-E Clearinghouse Programs & Services Planned for Review Advocacy Tools
Other
09/04/20
Leveraging Federal IV-E Funding to Support Child and Parent Representation Advocacy Tools, Financing Courts
American Bar Association
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
09/04/20
Title IV-E Clearinghouse: SafeCare Advocacy Tools
Other
09/04/20
Family First: High Quality Service Standards for Specialized Settings Advocacy Tools
Public Consulting Group
09/02/20
Family First Prevention Plan: The Changing Landscape of Texas Child Welfare Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
08/31/20
Strategies for Reducing Inequity Advocacy Tools
Other
08/28/20
A Guide to Implementing Family First Advocacy Tools
Children's Defense Fund
08/28/20
Child Safety Forward: A National Initiative to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities and Injuries Through a Collaborative, Community-Based Approach Advocacy Tools
Other
08/28/20
Young People Need Families: Taking a Hard Look at Government’s Role in Raising Children Advocacy Tools
Other
08/18/20
Creating a Family First Prevention Plan - Washington, D.C. Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
08/18/20
Family Engagement In Therapeutic Group Homes Advocacy Tools
Other
08/18/20
Family Voices on School Reopening Advocacy Tools COVID-19
FosterClub
08/16/20
Family First: Title IV-E Prevention Plan Implementation Updates, Part 2 Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
08/14/20
Family First: Title IV-E Prevention Plan Implementation Updates, Part 1 Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
08/14/20
Advancing Healthy Outcomes: Eight Ways to Promote the Health and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Youth Involved with Child Welfare through Families First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
08/14/20
Recommendations for Trauma-Informed Care Under the Family First Prevention Services Act Advocacy Tools
Chapin Hall
Other
08/07/20
Reducing the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences Advocacy Tools
National Conference of State Legislatures
08/03/20
Congressional Briefing & Interviews: Addressing Disparities in Black, Indigenous & Rural Communities Advocacy Tools
Other
07/30/20
Seeing Beyond COVID-19 Pandemic and Creating Change for Vulnerable Children and Ensuring Safety and Stability for Vulnerable Children and Families Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
07/30/20
Technical Bulletin: Independent Legal Representation Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
07/30/20
Systemic Approaches to Addressing Child and Family Trauma are Key to Fully Leveraging Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Chapin Hall
07/30/20
Guidance for Children and Families Involved with the Child Welfare System During the COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance COVID-19
American Academy of Pediatrics
07/30/20
The State of Prevention: Family First Act and Early Childhood Prevention Programs Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
07/29/20
Racial Equity Toolkit Featuring African American Grandfamilies Advocacy Tools
Generations United
07/24/20
Racial Equity Toolkit Featuring American Indian and Alaskan Native Grandfamilies Advocacy Tools
Generations United
07/24/20
Using Media Effectively with Young Children & Virtual Visitation Advocacy Tools
Other
07/24/20
Ethical Casework Practice Advocacy Tools
Other
07/24/20
Virtual Visitation: Guidelines Guidance & Resources to Support Virtual Parenting Time Advocacy Tools
Other
07/24/20
Coordinating Prevention Services in the Community Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
07/17/20
Achieving and Maintaining Permanency Advocacy Tools
Other
07/17/20
COVID-19 Resources Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
07/17/20
Family Engagement Inventory Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
07/17/20
Fiscal Analysis for Family First: Guide and Tools Advocacy Tools Prevention
Annie E. Casey Foundation
07/13/20
Town Hall Meeting on the Future of Child Welfare Advocacy Tools
Other
07/13/20
Affirming and Nurturing Racial Identity and Equality in Children Advocacy Tools
Other
07/13/20
Family First Evidence & Child Welfare Webinar Resources Advocacy Tools
Other
07/10/20
Share Your Perspective: As states move towards reopening, what supports would help you and your family make that transition most successful? Advocacy Tools
Other
07/10/20
How the Child Welfare System Works Advocacy Tools
Other
07/10/20
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