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 >

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Guidance

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

Title IV-E Prevention Plan

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

Title IV-E Prevention Plan

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

News

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

Real Story, Data / Research, Constituent Engagement

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

Data / Research

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

Opinion

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
Understanding the Family First Clearinghouse Advocacy Tools Evidence-Based Practice
National Council on Crime & Deliquency
12/03/19
Understanding the Family First Clearinghouse Advocacy Tools Evidence-Based Practice
National Council on Crime & Deliquency
12/03/19
Understanding Racial Trauma and Institutional Racism to Improve Cultural Responsiveness, Race Equity, and Implicit Bias in Child Welfare Cases Advocacy Tools, Guidance Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
National Association of Counsel for Children
10/27/20
Understanding family-based care for kids with serious mental/behavioral health Presentation/Webinar, Case Study QRTP / Congregate Care
Family Focused Treatment Association
02/08/18
Trauma-informed care initiatives show promise for improving practice in the child welfare system Data / Research Evidence-Based Practice, Overview / General
Child Trends
03/01/18
Transition to Adulthood and Independent Living Advocacy Tools Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Tribal
Other
05/15/23
Transition to Adulthood & Independent Living Outreach Toolkit Advocacy Tools, Constituent Engagement, Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
08/28/23
Transforming Child Welfare Systems to a 21st Century Model that Strengthens and Supports Families and Communities: Innovations from the Field Implementation Strategies
Federal
Tribal
Within Our Reach
11/22/20
TRANSFORMING & EXPANDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN URBAN PEDIATRICS Data / Research Overview / General, Evidence-Based Practice
Federal
Tribal
Other
09/12/22
Town Hall Meeting on the Future of Child Welfare Advocacy Tools
Other
07/13/20
Top Federal Child Welfare Officials: Family is a Compelling Reason News COVID-19
Other
04/05/20
Tool for Engaging the Legal Community in Implementing Family First Guidance Courts
Federal
American Bar Association
02/05/20
Together at the Table: Supporting the Nutrition, Health, and Well-Being of Grandfamilies Data / Research Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
07/10/23
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse: Public Call for Program & Service Recommendations Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
09/17/20
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Reporting Guide for Study Authors Guidance, Implementation Strategies Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
06/23/21
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse 2018-2023 Guidance Prevention
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
12/31/18
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Project Description Data / Research Overview / General
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
02/01/19
Title IV-E Prevention Program Implementation Updates Law / Summary Prevention
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
03/28/20
Title IV-E Prevention Program Clearinghouse: Newly Rated Programs and Services Data / Research Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Other
01/17/23
Title IV-E Prevention Plan State of Wyoming Title IV-E Prevention Plan Evidence-Based Practice
Wyoming
Other
03/20/23
Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews and Monitoring of Certain Provisions regarding the Family First Prevention Services Act Guidance Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
03/20/23
Title IV-E Clearinghouse: SafeCare Advocacy Tools
Other
09/04/20
Title IV-E Clearinghouse: New Ratings Advocacy Tools
Other
09/04/20
Title IV-E Clearinghouse Programs & Services Planned for Review Advocacy Tools
Other
09/04/20
Title IV-E Administrative Functions/Costs, Allowable Costs Financing Overview / General
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
05/06/20
Tips for Families: Coronavirus Advocacy Tools COVID-19
Other
04/15/20
Tip Sheet: Connecting with Families in Black and Indigenous Communities Data / Research Overview / General, Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Other
06/05/23
Tip Sheet- Latino Grandfamilies: Helping Latino Children Thrive through Connection to Culture and Family Data / Research Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
06/12/23
Tip Sheet- American Indian & Alaska Native Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family and Cultural Identity Advocacy Tools, Data / Research Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
06/05/23
Tip Sheet- African American Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive through Connection to Family and Culture Data / Research, Implementation Strategies Kinship
Federal
Tribal
Generations United
06/20/23
THRIVING FAMILIES, SAFER CHILDREN, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES: Investing in Children and Families Data / Research, Case Study Prevention, Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Casey Family Programs
07/03/23
Three Branch ToolKit & Webinar Implementation Strategies Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Casey Family Programs
National Conference of State Legislatures
National Governors Association
10/31/19
The State of Prevention: Family First Act and Early Childhood Prevention Programs Advocacy Tools Prevention
Other
07/29/20
The Role of the Court in Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 Advocacy Tools, Guidance, Implementation Strategies Courts
Federal
Tribal
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
12/31/19
The Power of the Parents’ Voice Real Story, Constituent Engagement Overview / General
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
02/05/19
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
Federal
Tribal
American Academy of Pediatrics
Children's Defense Fund
FosterClub
01/18/22
The National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise (NEICE) Clearinghouse Overview Implementation Strategies Interstate Placement / NEICE 02/05/19
The Los Angeles County Draft Comprehensive Prevention Plan Title IV-E Prevention Plan Overview / General, Evidence-Based Practice
California
Other
08/01/23
The Key Players Behind Washington’s Biggest Foster Care Reform in Decades News Overview / General
Other
02/05/19
The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System Advocacy Tools
Other
05/01/20
The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 A Guide for the Legal Community Law / Summary Overview / General
American Bar Association
03/20/23
The Elephant in the Room: The Role of Poverty in Child Maltreatment (Podcast) Data / Research Prevention, Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Wisconsin
Other
09/19/23
The Court’s Role in Reshaping the Child Welfare System to Focus on Prevention Presentation/Webinar, Implementation Strategies Courts, Prevention
Federal
Other
04/17/19
THE CHILD CARE PARADOX: HOW CHILD CARE PROVIDERS BALANCE PAID AND UN-PAID CAREGIVING Advocacy Tools, Data / Research Overview / General
Federal
Tribal
Other
06/06/22
The Biden-Harris Administration Awards $20 Million to Launch First National Center to Support Mental Health Services in the Child Welfare System News
Federal
Tribal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
10/04/23
The Guardian: A Quarterly Law Journal Published by NACC Advocacy Tools
National Association of Counsel for Children
09/24/20
Testimony of Jerry Milner on Family First Prevention Services Act Implementation Strategies, Law / Summary Overview / General
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
07/24/18
Teens Shouldn't Be Put in This Position Real Story Older Youth / Chafee
Federal
Other
11/02/19
Technical Bulletin: Title IV-E Prevention Program Data Collection Timelines Guidance Prevention
Federal
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
01/27/20
Technical Bulletin: Independent Legal Representation Advocacy Tools
Federal HHS/ACYF/CB
07/30/20
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