The Family First Prevention Services Act reforms Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, the federal child welfare financing streams that provide services to families at risk of entering the child welfare system. The bill aims to prevent children from entering foster care by allowing federal reimbursement for mental health services, substance-use treatment, and in-home parenting-skill training before children are removed from their home. It also seeks to improve the well-being of children already in foster care by providing incentives to states to reduce placement of children in congregate care.

On July 12, Voices offered a live webinar providing an overview of the sweeping changes in child welfare. You can access the recorded webinar or download a copy of the slides anytime.

• Literature review on benefits of kinship care: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1049731515620843#
• Additional kinship care resources:
  • https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/about/
  • https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(14)00330-1/fulltext
  • https://www.americanbar.org/groups/child_law/resources/child_law_practiceonline/child_law_practice/vol-35/july-2016/judicial-tip-sheet–kin-first.html
  • http://www.aecf.org/m/pdf/KinshipDiversionDebate.pdf
  • http://www.aecf.org/resources/stepping-up-for-kids/

To get an idea of what services may be reimbursed through IV-E after the act is implemented, visit the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare: http://www.cebc4cw.org/

Advocates are asked to provide public comment on decisions related to the development of a clearinghouse of evidence-based practices in accordance with the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018. The Children’s Bureau is soliciting comments by July 22, so it’s a very quick turnaround.

Make your comments here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/06/22/2018-13420/decisions-related-to-the-development-of-a-clearinghouse-of-evidence-based-practices-in-accordance

Voices utilizes personal stories to influence policymakers on complex child welfare issues. As we work towards implementing Family First Prevention Services Act, we will need stories of how it will impact Virginia’s children. To share your story with us, please use this form.

Registration will be made available in the coming weeks.

 

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