Status of State Title IV-E Prevention Plans

States and tribes that opt to provide Title IV-E Family First prevention programs must have an approved Title IV-E Family First prevention plan which describes which children and families are eligible and which evidence-based services are available. 

Presently, 42 states, the District of Columbia, and four tribal nations have approved FFPSA prevention plans. HHS publishes the status of Family First prevention plans here.

The law and HHS guidance specify two eligible groups:

1. A child who is a “candidate for foster care” – which means that the child is at imminent risk of entering foster care if not for the services provided.
2. A child in foster care who is pregnant or parenting.

The law also allows for the child, parents, or kin caregivers of these children to receive the prevention services, which are services that have been approved by the Family First Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

While some experts have observed that implementation has been slower than expected, federal reimbursements to states for their Family First prevention programs is gradually increasing. This indicates increased utilization. Thus far, federal reimbursement under Title IV-E prevention has increased from $15 million in FY2020, to $52 million in FY2021, $126 million in FY2022, and $344 million in FY2023.

See the interactive map published by NCSL for up-to-date state plans information.