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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Constituent Engagement, Guidance

A Guide for the Legal Community: The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018

The American Bar Association has issued a new guide for the legal community on Family First. This guide is designed to strengthen the legal community’s understanding and capacity to use... (Read more)

Published Dec 21, 2020

State Teams

Redefining Judicial Leadership: Stories of Transformative Practice

Through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) funding, the Implementation Sites Project was developed to replicate the infrastructure pioneered by the National Council of Juvenile and Court... (Read more)

Published Dec 11, 2020

Real Story

Grandfamilies Share Stories of COVID-19 Hardships and Hope

In summer 2020, StoryCorps recorded these conversations as part of a project that focused on helping us understand the unique impacts COVID-19 is having on various types of families, including... (Read more)

Published Dec 6, 2020

Advocacy Tools, Opinion, Real Story

Support for kinship care is an investment that can benefit families and children

In this Des Moines Register Opinion piece, Andreah Moyer-Stevens, a kinship caregiver, foster and adoptive parent writes about the value of investing in kinship families. Read her firsthand story here... (Read more)

Published Dec 4, 2020

Guidance

Letter to the Field from Assoc. Commissioner Jerry Milner: Ensuring the Continuation of Critical Court Hearings

In a December 4, 2020 letter, Dr. Milner urges agencies and courts to continue working together to ensure that access to justice continues and that critical judicial oversight occur in... (Read more)

Published Dec 4, 2020

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 Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
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
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
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