Child Welfare and FFPSA

FFPSA provides states and tribes the option to receive federal reimbursement under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for “Family First prevention programs.” Specifically, these Title IV-E federal funds can be used to provide evidence-based services to children who are at “imminent risk” of entering foster care, as well as their parents or kin caregivers. Evidence-based services are those included in the Family First Prevention Clearinghouse and encompass: mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and in-home parenting skills programs.

The Act also:

• Supports evidence-based kinship navigator programs that help kin caregivers access services.
• Provides federal reimbursement for residential family-based substance abuse treatment, enabling children to remain with parents during treatment.
• Provides continued funding for regional partnership grants to improve outcomes for children and families affected by parental substance abuse.

Since Congress enacted FFPSA in 2018, most states have taken the option to implement Family First prevention programs: 42 states, DC and 4 tribal nationals have active plans.

This resource center provides information, tools and examples to assist state early childhood advocates in leveraging their state’s Family First Prevention Program to promote the health, safety and well-being of young children and their families.

Take a closer look:

Child Welfare and FFPSA

Legislation Overview and Analysis

Implementation Guidance and Tools

Prevention Services Clearinghouse

State News

State Plans and Status