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

Keeping Families Strong and Together: Prevention Strategies in Child Welfare

CA Child Welfare Co-Investment Partnership In this issue of insights provides a framework for prevention and family strengthening strategies guided by data on disparities in child welfare involvement, including innovative... (Read more)

Published May 14, 2021

image shows text that reads: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Housing Assistance for Youth with Experience in Foster Care During the Pandemic and Recovery
Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Housing Assistance for Youth with Experience in Foster Care During the Pandemic and Recovery

On May 12th, 2021, FosterClub and Youth Law Center hosted a webinar with the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare focused on states and jurisdictions, and tribes can maximize... (Read more)

Published May 12, 2021

image shows text that reads: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: National Youth Awareness Campaign
Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: National Youth Awareness Campaign

On May 5th, 2021, FosterClub and Juvenile Law Center hosted a webinar with Think of Us focusing on the National Youth Awareness Campaign for child welfare organizations, local and state... (Read more)

Published May 5, 2021

image shows text that reads: ACYF-CB-PI-21-07
Program Instructions

ACYF-CB-PI-21-07

The Children’s Bureau released a new Program Instruction (ACYF-CB-PI-21-07) meant to provide guidance to agencies administering CBCAP and the CAPTA State Grants on the supplemental funding provided under the American... (Read more)

Published May 5, 2021

image shows text that reads: Webinar Recording: Supporting Foster Youth & Families - Leveraging New
Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies

National Policy Council Webinar: Supporting Foster Youth & and Families: Leveraging New Opportunities

Council Members will share how new opportunities available under this Act directly incorporate several priorities the Council has elevated, particularly in the areas of preventing unnecessary entry into foster care... (Read more)

Published Apr 29, 2021

image shows text that reads: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Advocacy & Direct Cash
Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Advocacy & Direct Cash Assistance

FosterClub and Juvenile Law Center with California Youth Connection focused on Foster Youth Advocacy and using Chafee funds to provide direct financial assistance to current and former foster youth. Advocates... (Read more)

Published Apr 28, 2021

image shows text that reads: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Courts: A Tool for Improving Outcomes
Guidance, Implementation Strategies

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Courts: A Tool for Improving Outcomes for American Indian Children and Families

In this publication, the Indian Child Welfare Act best practice implementation experiences of the St. Louis County Indian Child Welfare Act Court are featured, along with highlights from research evaluating... (Read more)

Published Apr 26, 2021

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
Keeping Families Strong and Together: Prevention Strategies in Child Welfare Advocacy Tools Evidence-Based Practice
California
Other
05/14/21
Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Housing Assistance for Youth with Experience in Foster Care During the Pandemic and Recovery Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
FosterClub
Juvenile Law Center
05/12/21
ACYF-CB-PI-21-07 Program Instructions Overview / General
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
05/05/21
Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: National Youth Awareness Campaign Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
FosterClub
Juvenile Law Center
Other
05/05/21
National Policy Council Webinar: Supporting Foster Youth & and Families: Leveraging New Opportunities Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies
Federal
Casey Family Programs
FosterClub
04/29/21
Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Advocacy & Direct Cash Assistance Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee
California
FosterClub
Juvenile Law Center
04/28/21
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Courts: A Tool for Improving Outcomes for American Indian Children and Families Guidance, Implementation Strategies Courts, Evidence-Based Practice
Federal
Tribal
Other
04/26/21
ACYF-CB-PI-21-06 Program Instructions Overview / General
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
04/21/21
Nebraska’s Five-Year Title IV-E Prevention Program Plan 2020 (3rd edition) Title IV-E Prevention Plan Prevention
Other
04/16/21
Family First Planning & Readiness Toolkit Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Chapin Hall
04/01/21
2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide Advocacy Tools Prevention
Federal
Other
04/01/21
Implementation of Older Youth Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
FosterClub
Juvenile Law Center
03/31/21
Recommendations for Prioritizing Children in Opioid Settlement Funding Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Other
03/26/21
Family-Centered Reunification Advocacy Tools QRTP / Congregate Care, Prevention
Federal
Other
03/25/21
Implementing ACYF-CB-PI-21-04 Older Youth Federal Guidance Webinar Guidance, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Tribal
FosterClub
03/17/21
Iowa's Five-Year Title IV-E Prevention Program Plan Title IV-E Prevention Plan Evidence-Based Practice
Iowa
Other
03/12/21
Family First Act Kinship, Youth Alumni, and Parent Learning Session Presentation/Webinar, Implementation Strategies Overview / General, Older Youth / Chafee, Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Other
03/11/21
Congregate Care in the Age of Family First Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care
Federal
Tribal
Other
03/11/21
ACYF-CB-PI-21-05- Implementing Kinship Navigator Funding in Consolidated Appropriations Act Program Instructions Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Other
03/09/21
ACYF-CB-PI-21-04 - Implementing Older Youth Provisions in Consolidated Appropriations Act Program Instructions Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Tribal
Other
03/09/21
Child Welfare Financing Survey for state fiscal year (SFY) 2018 Advocacy Tools, Financing
Federal
Tribal
Child Trends
03/09/21
Ending the Use of Harmful and Unnecessary Institutions and Other Group Facilities in Child Welfare Systems Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care
Federal
Tribal
Other
03/02/21
Family First Kinship Checklist Guidance, Implementation Strategies Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
03/01/21
Strategies to Build Evidence for Kinship Navigator Programs Under the Family First Act Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies Kinship
Federal
Child Trends
03/01/21
Oregon's Five-Year Title IV-E Prevention Program Plan Title IV-E Prevention Plan Prevention
Oregon
Other
02/26/21
Current Status of Approved/Submitted Title IV-E Prevention Program Five-Year Plans Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
02/18/21
ACYF-CB-PI-21-02 - Updated guidance on applying for FY 2022 CIP Funding Program Instructions Courts
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
02/12/21
Maintenance of Effort Worksheet Guidance, Implementation Strategies Prevention
Federal
Other
Public Consulting Group
02/10/21
Grandfamilies and Kinship Care Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, February 9, 2021 Webinar Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement COVID-19, Kinship
Federal
Tribal
American Bar Association
Children's Defense Fund
Generations United
02/09/21
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021: Implications for Grandfamilies News, Law / Summary COVID-19, Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
02/09/21
Reframing Childhood Adversity: Promoting Upstream Approaches Advocacy Tools Prevention
Federal
Other
02/01/21
Family-Centered Treatment 2021 White Paper on Reunification Advocacy Tools Prevention
Federal
Family Centered Treatment Foundation
02/01/21
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
Child Welfare Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Law / Summary Prevention, Overview / General, Evidence-Based Practice, Older Youth / Chafee, Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Children's Defense Fund
01/10/21
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
OhioKAN: Building Evidence for Kinship and Adoption Navigation Services Data / Research, Implementation Strategies Kinship
Ohio
Chapin Hall
01/01/21
2020 Taught Us How to Not Fail Our Children Opinion Prevention, Kinship
Federal
Other
01/01/21
New Factsheet: Parental Substance Use: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals Data / Research Prevention
Federal
Other
01/01/21
Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Older Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies Prevention, Courts, Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Foster Care Alumni of America
FosterClub
12/31/20
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
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
Recommendations from ACF Youth Engagement Team: Improving Permanency & Well-Being Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Guidance Prevention, Older Youth / Chafee, Kinship, Adoption Assistance
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
12/15/20
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
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