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 >

New Federal Rule Supports Kinship Families in Foster Care

On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a final rule that explicitly gives all Title IV-E child welfare agencies the option to use kin-specific... (Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Status of Family First IV-E Prevention Claiming

This map shows which states have received funds from the Children's Bureau for prevention services. See the map here .(Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Status of Family First Prevention Plans

This map, updated on August 21, 2023, shows the status of Family First Prevention plans that have (or have not) been submitted to the Children's Bureau. See the map here .(Read more)

Published Oct 4, 2023

Counties kick off Colorado Kinnected Kinship Navigator Program

September is National Kinship Care Month, and on Sept. 15, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) hosted a kickoff event for the new Colorado Kinnected Kinship Navigator Program at... (Read more)

Published Sep 25, 2023

Decriminalizing being in Foster Care

Decriminalizing the response to foster care involves reevaluating and reforming the way systems interact with families and children in need of support. The primary goal should be to prioritize the... (Read more)

Published Sep 25, 2023

Promoting Peer Support in Child Welfare

Peer support programs are crucial for children and families, particularly when children are removed from their parents, whether or not it is through the formal child welfare system. For children,... (Read more)

Published Sep 25, 2023

Connecting Generations: Finding Intergenerational Activities Within Your Community

Intergenerational connections bring people of different generations together—typically children or youth and older adults, but these connections can bring adults of all ages together with older adults, too. Whatever the... (Read more)

Published Sep 25, 2023

Title Resource Type Topic Location Source Published
How can the child welfare system support families affected by substance use disorder? Data / Research, Constituent Engagement Overview / General 09/11/23
Summary of Programs Rated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse (as of April 7, 2023) Data / Research Overview / General 04/24/23
What are some considerations for employing and supporting youth peer mentors in child welfare? Data / Research 09/11/23
How does Children’s Village reflect the components of a Qualified Residential Treatment Program Case Study QRTP / Congregate Care 08/01/19
Family Reunification LEAB Report Constituent Engagement Prevention, Overview / General 09/19/23
Title IV-E funding for legal representation and Title IV-E funding for Family First Prevention Services. Guidance Courts, Prevention 11/13/19
Jurisdictional Candidacy Definitions 10.31.19 Implementation Strategies Prevention 10/29/19
How does San Diego’s child protection agency partner with 2-1-1 to better serve families and children? Real Story, Implementation Strategies Prevention 07/17/23
Webinar Recording: Communications Strategies around Family First: Examples and Lessons Learned from Early Adopter Jurisdictions Advocacy Tools Overview / General 12/12/19
Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: National Youth Awareness Campaign Advocacy Tools, Presentation/Webinar, Guidance, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee 05/05/21
Frequently Asked Questions About: The Family First Prevention Services Act, Quality Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs), and the Medicaid IMD Exclusion Rule Law / Summary QRTP / Congregate Care 01/14/22
Family Reunification LEAB Report Constituent Engagement Prevention, Overview / General 09/19/23
FosterClub's COVID-19 Resource Page Guidance COVID-19 03/24/20
Family First Act Celebrates FIVE Years! News Overview / General 03/06/23
Improving Youth Engagement and Access to Mental Health Services Constituent Engagement 04/17/23
How does the Family First Act help youth in foster care? Constituent Engagement Overview / General 03/06/23
Family Voices United: A Podcast on Supporting Kinship Families Advocacy Tools, Constituent Engagement Kinship 10/02/19
Further Assistance from HHS Would be Helpful in Supporting Youth's LGBTQ+ Identities and Religious Beliefs Advocacy Tools, Implementation Strategies Overview / General, Evidence-Based Practice 06/13/22
Improving Social Capital for Youth in Foster Care Advocacy Tools, Constituent Engagement Overview / General 03/06/23
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 12/31/20
Youth & Alumni Priorities on Preventing Unnecessary Removal Advocacy Tools Prevention 10/21/19
Family Voices United: A Podcast on Mental Health Supports Advocacy Tools, Constituent Engagement Prevention 06/21/19
The Path to Well-being for Children and Youth in Foster Care Relies on Quality Family-Based Care What’s the Appropriate Role of Residential Care? Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care 01/18/22
LGBTQ2S+ Support Share Your Perspective Paper Constituent Engagement Prevention, Overview / General 09/19/23
Promoting Peer Support in Child Welfare Data / Research Overview / General 09/25/23
Improving Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Care Data / Research, Constituent Engagement Pregnant & Parenting 09/05/23
SYP: What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis? Advocacy Tools COVID-19 05/21/20
Implementing ACYF-CB-PI-21-04 Older Youth Federal Guidance Webinar Guidance, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee 03/17/21
Family Voices on Mental and Behavioral Health Supports Constituent Engagement Prevention, Kinship 06/23/21
FosterClub Press Release: Youth from Foster Care Thrown into Crisis During COVID-19 Pandemic News COVID-19 03/27/20
Family Voices United Podcast: Strengthening Families & Keeping Kids out of Foster Care Constituent Engagement, Guidance 01/06/20
National Policy Council Amplifies Guidance for Child Welfare Agencies in Preventing Human Trafficking in Foster Care Implementation Strategies Overview / General 02/03/23
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 09/21/20
Expecting and Parenting in Care: Tips for Youth Data / Research, Constituent Engagement Pregnant & Parenting 09/05/23
Family Voices on School Reopening Advocacy Tools COVID-19 08/16/20
LGBTQ2S+ Support LEAB Discussion Report Constituent Engagement Prevention, Overview / General 09/19/23
Policy Corner: How the Family First Act Impacts LGBTQIA2S+ Youth in Foster Care (Congregate Care Edition) Opinion QRTP / Congregate Care 03/13/23
Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act - a Guide Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care, Prevention, Pregnant & Parenting, Courts, Child Fatalities, Evidence-Based Practice, Interstate Placement / NEICE, Older Youth / Chafee, Kinship, Juvenile Justice, Adoption Assistance 10/04/19
Reducing Reliance on Congregate Care: Our Priorities Constituent Engagement QRTP / Congregate Care 04/24/23
Comments from the National Foster Youth & Alumni Policy Council Addressing the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth Advocacy Tools 04/20/20
Decriminalizing being in Foster Care Real Story, Data / Research, Constituent Engagement Overview / General, Juvenile Justice 09/25/23
Practice Improvement: Supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Youth in Congregate Care Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care 03/13/23
Historic Opportunity for Reform in Child Welfare: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Quality Residential Services Real Story, Constituent Engagement, Guidance, Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care 02/28/20
Family Voices United Podcast: Constituent Engagement Constituent Engagement, Guidance Overview / General 01/06/20
National Policy Council Webinar: Supporting Foster Youth & and Families: Leveraging New Opportunities Presentation/Webinar, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies 04/29/21
Brookings Institution: Driving better outcomes for children in foster care Presentation/Webinar, Implementation Strategies Overview / General 02/14/19
Reducing Reliance on Congregate Care: Our Priorities Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies QRTP / Congregate Care 03/13/23
Higher Education Retention of Young Adults who have experienced Foster Care Constituent Engagement Older Youth / Chafee 04/10/23
Covid-19 Impact: Young People from Foster Care Hit Hard by COVID-19 Advocacy Tools COVID-19 04/12/20
Family Voices United: Perspectives on Mental Health Advocacy Tools, Constituent Engagement Overview / General 06/26/19
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