Family First Prevention Services Act

Congressional intern Dylan Evans proposes more federal investment in substance use treatment as a prevention tool, and kin caregiver support.

For a more preventive child welfare system, we must move away from the idea that it is solely the function of CPS to keep kids safe.

Becky Shipp, a key Senate staffer on child welfare issues for many years, has passed away at the age of 63. 

By John Kelly The White House used a four-hour public convening on child welfare last week to announce some clarifications to federal policy for the field. Those were made by updating the Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM), an online reference presented in a “Q&A” fashion.

A recent New York appeals court ruling reinforces the authority of family court judges when youth are placed in residential facilities.

By John Kelly Last month, the clearinghouse that greenlights foster care prevention services approved several iterations of a mental intervention known as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as a positive reinforcement approach to treating substance abuse.

At a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, Senators on the Senate Finance Committee inquired about progress in implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act

The Family First clearinghouse added one interesting service to the approved list while rejecting nine others and adding 16 more for review

Since a 2018 policy change, 31 states have tapped into hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds for attorneys in family court cases.