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. 

Learn the Basics

Sign Up!

Receive updates about what's new @ FamilyFirstAct.org

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 >

Submit a Resource
Financing, Guidance

ACYF-CB-IM-21-06: Utilizing Title IV-E Funding to Support High Quality Legal Representation

The purpose of this IM is to urge all state and tribal title IV-E agencies, courts, administrative offices of the courts, and Court Improvement Programs to work together to ensure... (Read more)

Published Jan 14, 2021

Guidance, News

ACYF-CB-IM-21-05: NEW LEGISLATION – Public Law (P.L.) 116-260

This IM is to inform title IV-B and IV-E agencies and State and Tribal Court Improvement Programs of the enactment of Division X and Section 305 of Title III of... (Read more)

Published Jan 13, 2021

Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Implementation Strategies

ACYF-CB-IM-21-04: Clarification on Family First Services and Cultural Adaptation for Tribes

The purpose of the Information Memorandum is to clarify how allowable adaptations to evidence-based programs and services that have been rated by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse can be... (Read more)

Published Jan 13, 2021

Guidance

ACYF-CB-IM-21-03: Emerging Transformed, Lessons from COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this information memorandum (IM) is to share lessons learned from the pandemic and highlight strategies and opportunities for child and family serving agencies, organizations, and entities to... (Read more)

Published Jan 12, 2021

Guidance

ACYF-CB-IM-21-02: Civil Legal Advocacy to Promote Child and Family Well-being, Address the Social Determinants of Health, and Enhance Community Resilience

The purpose of this information memorandum (IM) is to highlight the importance of civil legal advocacy in advancing child and family well-being; addressing the social determinants of health; enhancing community... (Read more)

Published Jan 12, 2021

Guidance

ACYF-CB-IM-21-01: Achieving Permanency for the Well-Being of Children and Youth

The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to provide information on best practices, resources,and recommendations for achieving permanency for children and youth in a way that prioritizes the child’s... (Read more)

Published Jan 5, 2021

Data / Research, Guidance

Chapin Hall Builds National Understanding of Pandemic’s Impact on Families

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives, including work, education, childcare, health, finances and contact with family and friends. It has also affected child welfare system and... (Read more)

Published Dec 21, 2020

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
ACYF-CB-IM-21-06: Utilizing Title IV-E Funding to Support High Quality Legal Representation Financing, Guidance Overview / General, Courts
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/14/21
ACYF-CB-IM-21-04: Clarification on Family First Services and Cultural Adaptation for Tribes Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/13/21
ACYF-CB-IM-21-05: NEW LEGISLATION – Public Law (P.L.) 116-260 Guidance, News COVID-19, Courts, Older Youth / Chafee, Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/13/21
ACYF-CB-IM-21-02: Civil Legal Advocacy to Promote Child and Family Well-being, Address the Social Determinants of Health, and Enhance Community Resilience Guidance Courts
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/12/21
ACYF-CB-IM-21-03: Emerging Transformed, Lessons from COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance Overview / General, COVID-19
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/12/21
ACYF-CB-IM-21-01: Achieving Permanency for the Well-Being of Children and Youth Guidance Overview / General, Courts, Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/05/21
Chapin Hall Builds National Understanding of Pandemic’s Impact on Families Data / Research, Guidance COVID-19
Federal
Chapin Hall
12/21/20
A Guide for the Legal Community: The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 Constituent Engagement, Guidance Courts
Federal
Tribal
American Bar Association
12/21/20
Redefining Judicial Leadership: Stories of Transformative Practice State Teams Courts
Federal
Tribal
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
12/11/20
Grandfamilies Share Stories of COVID-19 Hardships and Hope Real Story Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
12/06/20
Letter to the Field from Assoc. Commissioner Jerry Milner: Ensuring the Continuation of Critical Court Hearings Guidance Courts
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
12/04/20
Support for kinship care is an investment that can benefit families and children Advocacy Tools, Opinion, Real Story Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Iowa
Generations United
Other
12/04/20
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
Every Kid Needs a Family Website Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care, COVID-19, Courts
Federal
Tribal
Annie E. Casey Foundation
National Association of Counsel for Children
11/23/20
Considerations for Scaling Evidence-Based Prevention Programs under the Family First Prevention Services Act Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Data / Research, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Tribal
New York
Child Trends
11/23/20
Transforming Child Welfare Systems to a 21st Century Model that Strengthens and Supports Families and Communities: Innovations from the Field Implementation Strategies
Federal
Tribal
Within Our Reach
11/22/20
Letter to Child Welfare Leaders: IV-E Prevention Program Stafford Act flexibilities Program Instructions, Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Implementation Strategies Prevention, COVID-19
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
11/20/20
Child Welfare Policy Manual Q & A: Section 8.6C "Title IV-E Prevention Services Program, Administrative Functions/Costs" Financing, Program Instructions Prevention
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
11/18/20
Letter from Associate Commissioner Milner reflecting on Roundtables with Young Leaders Constituent Engagement, Guidance COVID-19
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
11/18/20
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
Birth Parent National Network Member Corey Best Spotlights the Problem with America’s Child Welfare System Advocacy Tools, Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Guidance Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Birth Parent National Network
10/28/20
State-level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States Data / Research Kinship
Federal
Child Trends
10/28/20
Webinar Recording: Utilizing Casey Family Programs’ Community Opportunity Map to Support Family Resource Centers Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Other
10/28/20
Understanding Racial Trauma and Institutional Racism to Improve Cultural Responsiveness, Race Equity, and Implicit Bias in Child Welfare Cases Advocacy Tools, Guidance Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
National Association of Counsel for Children
10/27/20
COVID-19 and Child Welfare: Using Data to Understand Trends in Maltreatment and Response Data / Research
Federal
Tribal
Chapin Hall
10/23/20
Our American States Podcast - State, Federal Policies Aim to Ease Transition Out of Foster Care Real Story, Constituent Engagement COVID-19, Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Georgia
National Conference of State Legislatures
10/23/20
Implementing the Substance Use Disorder Provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Child Focus
10/23/20
Wisconsin's Family First Website State Teams QRTP / Congregate Care, Prevention, Overview / General
Wisconsin
Other
10/23/20
Support for Family-Focused Residential Treatment-Title IV-E and Medicaid Guidance Guidance Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
Other
10/05/20
2020 State of Grandfamilies in America Annual Report: Facing a Pandemic: Grandfamilies Living Together During COVID-19 and Thriving Beyond Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement Kinship
Federal
Generations United
09/30/20
Georgia's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan State Teams, Implementation Strategies Child Fatalities
Georgia
Other
09/30/20
Maine's Child and Family Services & Family First State Teams Overview / General
Maine
Other
09/30/20
Supporting Child, Caregiver and Family Well-Being in Times of Crisis: Strategies to Promote Effective Virtual and Phone Engagement Guidance COVID-19
Federal
Tribal
Other
09/30/20
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
Historic Opportunity for Reform in Child Welfare: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Special Populations Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Guidance, Implementation Strategies Prevention, Pregnant & Parenting, Older Youth / Chafee, Juvenile Justice
Federal
Tribal
Foster Care Alumni of America
FosterClub
09/21/20
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
Racial Equity Impact Assessments Guide Family First Act Planning in Minnesota State Teams, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Minnesota
Annie E. Casey Foundation
09/16/20
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
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
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
txdvioawpf01
sfy39587stp17
sfy39587stp16