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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Implementation Strategies

Every Kid Needs a Family Website

The purpose of this site is to provide information and advocacy tools to assist judges, attorneys, and advocates in making decisions regarding the placement of children that reflect the least... (Read more)

Published Nov 23, 2020

Implementation Strategies

Transforming Child Welfare Systems to a 21st Century Model that Strengthens and Supports Families and Communities: Innovations from the Field

This document from the Within Our Reach office of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities is designed to describe a public health approach and provide some examples of innovations... (Read more)

Published Nov 22, 2020

Constituent Engagement, Guidance

Letter from Associate Commissioner Milner reflecting on Roundtables with Young Leaders

On November 18th, Associate Commissioner Jerry Milner of the Federal Children's Bureau released a letter reflecting on the twelve roundtables conducted with young people in/from foster care that the Children's... (Read more)

Published Nov 18, 2020

Financing, Program Instructions

Child Welfare Policy Manual Q & A: Section 8.6C "Title IV-E Prevention Services Program, Administrative Functions/Costs"

The Child Welfare Policy Manual has released a new Question and Answer under Section 8.6C "Title IV-E Prevention Services Program, Administrative Functions/Costs. Question 1: May a title IV-E agency... (Read more)

Published Nov 18, 2020

Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies

Webinar Recording: Utilizing Casey Family Programs’ Community Opportunity Map to Support Family Resource Centers

This webinar recording from the National Family Support Network provides an overview of Casey Family Programs’ Community Opportunity Map and illustrate how it can be leveraged to support Family Resource... (Read more)

Published Oct 28, 2020

Data / Research

State-level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States

This comprehensive child welfare resource from Child Trends provides state and national data on child maltreatment , foster care , kinship caregiving , and adoption from foster care. The data... (Read more)

Published Oct 28, 2020

Advocacy Tools, Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Guidance

Birth Parent National Network Member Corey Best Spotlights the Problem with America’s Child Welfare System

In this blog resource from Family Voices United, Birth Parent National Network Member Corey Best reflects on how racism shows up in child welfare and presents questions that child welfare... (Read more)

Published Oct 28, 2020

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
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
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
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
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
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
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
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