Family First Prevention Services Act
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, Public Law (P.L.) 115-123 on February 9, 2018. FFPSA supports the use of evidence-based practices to promote the well-being of children, youth, and families and to prevent unnecessary foster care placements. FFPSA revised many sections of Title IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, including federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance.
The Family First Transition Act, signed into law on December 20, 2019, provides support for states and jurisdictions as their child welfare systems develop prevention-focused infrastructure important for FFPSA implementation.
For detailed information and guidance on FFPSA implementation and on the Family First Transition Act, see the following Federal Guidance Program Instructions and Information Memoranda. For questions, contact the Children’s Bureau Regional Office specific to your state.
FFPSA addresses a wide range of issues, including the development of national model licensing standards for foster family homes, expansion of services for youth aging out of the child welfare system, and funding for evidence-based kinship navigator programs. FFPSA presents a unique opportunity to support children and families experiencing substance use disorders. FFPSA authorized new optional Title IV-E funding for time-limited (one year) prevention services for mental health/substance abuse and in-home parent skill-based programs for: (1) a child who is a candidate for foster care, (2) pregnant/parenting foster youth, and (3) the parents/kin caregivers of those children and youth. The creation of the Title IV-E prevention program is an unprecedented step in recognizing the importance of working with children and families to prevent the need for foster care placement and the trauma of unnecessary parent-child separation. FFPSA presents a unique opportunity to support children and families experiencing substance use disorders.
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Policy and Practice Resources
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Related Online Trainings, Videos, and Webinars
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The FFPSA Title IV-E Prevention Program Implementation Updates Webinar
Children’s Bureau, March 2020
This webinar provides an update on the implementation of the FFPSA prevention services program and to assist child welfare agencies and their parents in developing FFPSA prevention plans.
Visit Website The FFPSA Title IV-E Prevention Program Implementation Updates Webinar
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Implementing the Substance Use Disorder Provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act: A Toolkit for Child Welfare and Treatment Stakeholders
Children and Family Futures, March 2020
Children and Family Futures, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and ChildFocus developed this toolkit designed to guide state leaders in their efforts to implement the substance use disorder focused provisions of the law. The toolkit is composed of five sections: (1) Understand Key Opportunities and Concepts; (2) Determine Evidence-Based Treatment Programs Most Appropriate for Children and Families in or At Risk of Entering Foster Care; (3) Leverage Family First to Expand Family-Based Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment; (4) Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of Available Funding Streams; and (5) Create Strong Partnerships to Maximize Success. The sections can be used in conjuction with eachother or as separate documents for jurisdictions looking to focus on one aspect of the law at a time. There is also a recorded webinar that discusses the toolkit.
Visit Website Implementing the Substance Use Disorder Provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act: A Toolkit for Child Welfare and Treatment Stakeholders
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State and Local Examples
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Additional Resources
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Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act
Children’s Defense Fund, February 2020
This resource provides answers to commonly asked questions about the provisions in FFPSA.
Visit Website Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act
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Putting Family First: Developing an Evidence-Based Child Welfare Preventive Practice Model
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2020
This resource provides information for state child welfare agencies on considerations for developing a preventive practice model that aligns with the requirements of FFPSA, addresses the unique needs of families within local communities, and ensures that selected programs and practices are implemented with fidelity. The resource provides three state and local case examples.
Visit Website Putting Family First: Developing an Evidence-Based Child Welfare Preventive Practice Model
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Comparison of the CEBC Scientific Rating Criteria with the FFPSA Evidence
(PDF 1.2 MB)
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), June 2018
This brief provides a description of the similarities and differences between the CEBC and FFPSA criteria for evidence standards that practices need to meet to be funded using FFPSA dollars.
View Document Comparison of the CEBC Scientific Rating Criteria with the FFPSA Evidence
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Leveraging the Family First Prevention Services Act to Improve Use of Title IV-E GAP
(PDF 1.7 MB)
Grandfamilies.org, a partnership between the American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law, Generations United, and Casey Family Programs
This brief highlights provisions in the FFPSA related to kinship families and federal Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP). It suggests how states and eligible tribes can build on these provisions to promote use of assisted guardianship for children in kinship foster care.
View Document Leveraging the Family First Prevention Services Act to Improve Use of Title IV-E GAP
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New Opportunities for Kinship Families: Action Steps to Implement the Family First Prevention Services Act in Your Community
(PDF 440 KB)
Grandfamilies.org, a partnership between the American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law, Generations United, and Casey Family Programs
This tool highlights provisions in the FFPSA that can help kinship families and lists steps that caregivers, advocates, and other leaders can take to help implement the FFPSA.
View Document New Opportunities for Kinship Families: Action Steps to Implement the Family First Prevention Services Act in Your Community