The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was passed and signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act on February 9, 2018. Key provisions of the act reform the federal child welfare financial streams by redirecting funds to provide prevention services to families and limiting funds to residential group care. Under traditional Title IV-E requirements, the Title IV-E child welfare dollars were only available once a child was removed from their home. The law now expands the use of these child welfare dollars to provide evidence-based prevention services to children and their families who are imminent risk of entering foster care. Additionally, the new law made changes to what types of out-of-home placements would be eligible for child welfare dollars, focusing on placements in family foster care homes. States may opt to delay implementation of select provisions of the act. (Florida has opted for the delayed effective date.)
Some key FFPSA provisions include:
Florida’s Path Forward: Post Title IV-E Waiver and Family First Prevention Services Act (1/17/19)
Family First Prevention Services Act: What It Means for Residential Providers (7/23/18)
The Family First Prevention Services Act Briefing (4/6/18)
Casey Family Programs FFPSA Highlights
Children’s Defense Fund FFPSA Detailed Summary
Children’s Defense Fund FFPSA Timeline
Evidence-Based Programs Florida Comments
HHS Approval Letter of Florida FFPSA Implementation Delay
Model Licensing Standards Florida Comments
Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability – Florida FFPSA Implementation Report
Residential Group Care Changes FFPSA Highlights
Statewide FFPSA Group Care Forums Summary (May, 2019)
Statewide Group Care Survey Results (April, 2019)
FFPSA Background Screening Requirements (10/26/2018)
Social Security Act Child Welfare Compilation
ACYF CB IM 18 02 FFPSA Basic Info
ACYF CB PI 18 05 Kinship Navigator Program
ACYF CB PI 18 07 FFPSA Implementation
ACYF CB PI 18 09 Title IV-E Prevention Services
ACYF CB PI 18 11 Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program
Federal Register Vol 83 No 148 Model Licensing Standards
Mr. Jerry Milner Testimony July 2018
FFPSA Hearing Letter Sept 2018
Child Welfare Community Letter October 2018
To view other federal issuances, go to https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/laws-policies/program-instructions