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 it 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 >

Kinship Services in Tribal Child Welfare Policy Toolkit

This toolkit, developed by our partners at the National Indian Child Welfare Association , has two parts. Part one examines several issues that tribal child welfare programs might want to... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Kinship Care Supports the Academic Performance of Children

Children and youth who successfully learn how to read, write, and perform basic math skills are more likely to go to college , find good jobs, and attain financial security... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

NEW RULE: Separate Licensing or Approval Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes

This rule finalizes revisions to the definition of “foster family home” proposed on February 14, 2023 (here after referred to as the February 2023 NPRM). Title IV–E agencies may choose... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

The Biden-Harris Administration Awards $20 Million to Launch First National Center to Support Mental Health Services in the Child Welfare System

On September 25th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded $20 million to launch the first-ever National Center for... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Support Children and Families in Foster Care

In honor of National Kinship Care Month, the Administration released a historic package of regulations to ensure children in the child welfare system thrive. Read the factsheet from the White... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Spotlight on Creating a More Equitable Child Welfare System

This issue of CBX highlights the importance of prioritizing and advancing racial equity in child welfare. Read a message from Associate Commissioner Aysha E. Schomburg about the dream of creating... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Child Safety Forward Implementation Study Final Report

This is the final evaluation report for Child Safety Forward , a four-year demonstration initiative that engaged five sites across the U.S. in research, planning, and implementation around strategies aimed... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
Addressing common forms of child maltreatment: evidence-informed interventions and gaps in current knowledge Implementation Strategies Child Fatalities, Evidence-Based Practice 09/01/12
In-Home Supports Guidance Prevention 03/31/14
Safe Children: Reducing Severe and Fatal Maltreatment Case Study Child Fatalities 01/29/16
Ecological Framework for Prevention Opinion, Guidance Prevention 12/31/17
Strategic Planning in Child Welfare: Strategies for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement Advocacy Tools 12/31/17
Summary of Family First Presentation/Webinar, Law / Summary Overview / General 02/08/18
Family First Prevention Services Act and its Implication for State Legislators Opportunities- Challenges- Recommendations Implementation Strategies Overview / General 02/08/18
Understanding family-based care for kids with serious mental/behavioral health Presentation/Webinar, Case Study QRTP / Congregate Care 02/08/18
Trauma-informed care initiatives show promise for improving practice in the child welfare system Data / Research Evidence-Based Practice, Overview / General 03/01/18
Family First Act changes child welfare financing landscape Financing, Data / Research Overview / General 03/06/18
CHAMPS Research Highlights Advocacy Tools, Data / Research Kinship, Overview / General 04/01/18
ACYF-CB-IM-18-02 NEW LEGISLATION – Public Law 115-123, the Family First Prevention Services Act within Division E, Title VII of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Guidance Overview / General 04/12/18
NCSL summary of the Family First Prevention Services Act Law / Summary Overview / General 05/15/18
ACYF-CB-PI-18-07 Public Law 115-123, the Family First Prevention Services Act: Implementation of Title IV-E Plan Requirements Program Instructions Overview / General 07/09/18
Addressing Bias in Delinquency and Child Welfare Systems Advocacy Tools 07/22/18
Testimony of Jerry Milner on Family First Prevention Services Act Implementation Strategies, Law / Summary Overview / General 07/24/18
Comments on the clearinghouse of evidence-based practices under FFPSA Data / Research Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention 08/13/18
ACYF-CB-IM-18-04 NEICE 2018 funding Guidance Interstate Placement / NEICE 08/23/18
Child Maltreatment Fatality Reviews: Learning Together to Improve Systems That Protect Children and Prevent Maltreatment Guidance Child Fatalities 08/31/18
Pregnant & Parenting Youth FAQs Guidance Older Youth / Chafee, Pregnant & Parenting 10/30/18
Evidence to Action Data / Research Prevention 10/30/18
Fostering Youth Transitions Data / Research Older Youth / Chafee 11/13/18
ACYF-CB-IM-18-05 - Reshaping child welfare in the United States to focus on strengthening families Guidance Prevention 11/16/18
ACYF-CB-PI-18-11: Requirements for Participating in the Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program Program Instructions Kinship 11/30/18
ACYF-CB-PI-18-11 Requirements for Participating in the Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program Program Instructions Kinship 11/30/18
ACYF-CB-PI-18-10 Tribal Title IV-E Agency Requirements for Electing Title IV-E Prevention and Family Services and Programs Program Instructions Overview / General, Prevention 11/30/18
ACYF-CB-PI-18-09 State Requirements for Electing Title IV-E Prevention and Family Services and Programs Program Instructions Kinship 11/30/18
Seizing the Opportunity: 10 Ways to Advance Equity Through Family First Advocacy Tools 11/30/18
Using New Federal Funding Opportunities to Develop Effective Kinship Navigator Programs Presentation/Webinar Kinship 12/04/18
Leading with Evidence Webinar Series Presentation/Webinar Evidence-Based Practice 12/06/18
Safely Reducing the Use of Congregate Care: Considerations in the Age of Family First archived webinar Presentation/Webinar QRTP / Congregate Care 12/13/18
Family First Prevention Services Act Brief Summary: Implications for Grandfamilies Law / Summary Kinship 12/18/18
What are some of the foundational elements, strategies and opportunities for child welfare financing? Financing, Presentation/Webinar Overview / General 12/19/18
How can we ensure a child’s first placement is with family? Guidance Kinship 12/20/18
CHAMPS Policy Playbook Advocacy Tools Kinship, Overview / General 12/23/18
Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect Guidance, Implementation Strategies Pregnant & Parenting, Prevention 12/31/18
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse 2018-2023 Guidance Prevention 12/31/18
Opportunities for Legislatures Presentation/Webinar Overview / General 01/01/19
In 2017, the rate of children in foster care rose in 39 states Data / Research Overview / General 01/03/19
Key Opportunities for Families Constituent Engagement, Guidance Overview / General 01/08/19
Using In Home Services to prevent foster care in Austin, Texas Implementation Strategies Prevention 01/08/19
From Data to Practice: The Impact of Placement with Family on Safety, Permanency, and Well-Being Data / Research Overview / General 01/08/19
Leveraging the FFPSA for Older Youth: Prevention Provisions Guidance Older Youth / Chafee, Pregnant & Parenting, Prevention 01/15/19
Interventions with Special Relevance for the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) (Second Edition) Law / Summary Overview / General, Prevention 01/29/19
Family First Prevention Services Act Overview Law / Summary Overview / General 01/29/19
Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 Summary Law / Summary Overview / General 01/29/19
New Opportunities for Kinship Families Implementation Strategies Kinship 01/29/19
Congressional Research Services FFPSA Detailed Summary Law / Summary Overview / General 01/29/19
Evidence-based and Promising Interventions for Preventing Child Fatalities and Severe Child Injuries Related to Child Maltreatment Implementation Strategies Child Fatalities 01/29/19
Child Welfare Financing 201: Handout Packet Financing, Law / Summary Overview / General 01/29/19
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