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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Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies

Webinar Recording: Parents and Caregivers: A Community-based Multidisciplinary Approach to Strengthening Families

In this webinar from the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law, Birth Parent National Network leaders and lawyers who work as part of interdisciplinary legal representation teams... (Read more)

Published Dec 1, 2020

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

Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Data / Research, Implementation Strategies

Considerations for Scaling Evidence-Based Prevention Programs under the Family First Prevention Services Act

This resource from Child Trends outlines lessons learned in jurisdictions such as New York City that were early adopters of evidence-based prevention services. This brief includes details of two evidence-based... (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

Program Instructions, Title IV-E Prevention Plan, Implementation Strategies

Letter to Child Welfare Leaders: IV-E Prevention Program Stafford Act flexibilities

This letter from Associate Commissioner Jerry Milner to child welfare leaders addresses flexibility related to the title IV-E prevention program, allowing programs and services to be adapted to a virtual... (Read more)

Published Nov 20, 2020

Presentation/Webinar

Webinar Recording: DC Families First Family Success Center Initiative: Advancing Equity and Transforming Child Welfare

This webinar from the National Family Support Network provides an overview of the DC Families First Family Success Center Initiative. ​Presenters: Brenda Donald, Director, DC Child and Family Services Octavia... (Read more)

Published Nov 18, 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

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
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
New Tools to Build Birth and Foster Parent Relationships Advocacy Tools
Other
07/10/20
Webinar Recording & Recap: A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Quality Residential Services Advocacy Tools QRTP / Congregate Care
Other
07/07/20
Youth Justice and the Family First Advocacy Tools
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Other
06/30/20
Virginia Department of Social Services & Family First Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
06/30/20
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
Multi-State Overview of the Interventions that States Plan to Include in Their Family First Prevention Plans Advocacy Tools
Casey Family Programs
06/28/20
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
Resources to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being Amid Anti-Black Racism, Racial Violence, and Trauma Advocacy Tools
Child Trends
06/22/20
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
2020 Kids Count Data Book: 2020 State Trends in Child Well-Being Advocacy Tools
Annie E. Casey Foundation
06/21/20
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
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