Family First

ACYF-CB-IM-19-01: the National Model Foster Family Home Licensing Standards

On February 4, 2019, the Children’s Bureau released final National Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (National Model), as required by the Family First Prevention Services Act.  The Children’s Bureau used the NARA Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (NARA Model) as the “main source” for its proposed National Model, and then accorded it “considerable deference” in deciding whether to modify the proposed National Model.  See Generations United's FAQ on the National Model, the NARA Model and the Family First Reporting Requirements (2019).

ACYF-CB-PI-18-12: CB-496 Update

This Program Instruction provides state, territorial, and tribal title IV-E agencies with the revised form and instructions approved by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for reporting quarterly financial information on the title IV-E Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Guardianship Assistance, Kinship Navigator and Prevention Services Programs. This PI also provides continuing guidance for the submission of the Annual Adoption Savings Calculation and Accounting Report.

• Attachment A – Children’s Bureau Regional Program Managers and ACF Regional Grants Officers
• Attachment B - Copy of the Form CB-496
• Attachment C - Instructions to complete Form CB-496

ACYF-CB-PI-18-11: Requirements for Participating in the Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program

On November 30, 2018, the Children’s Bureau issued a program instruction on how title IV-E agencies may participate in this new title IV-E program:

• Attachment A: Children’s Bureau Regional Program Managers
• Attachment B: Title IV-E Plan Pre-Print Attachment XII - Kinship Navigator Program
• Attachment C: HHS Initial practice criteria and first list of services and programs selected for review as part of the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

ACYF-CB-PI-18-10: Tribal Title IV-E Agency Requirements for Electing Title IV-E Prevention and Family Services and Programs

This PI provides instructions on the requirements tribal title IV-E agencies must meet when electing to provide title IV-E prevention and family services and programs. 

•     Attachment A: Regional Program Managers

•     Attachment B: Tribal title IV-E prevention program five-year plan pre-print

•     Attachment I: Tribal Title IV-E Prevention Program Reporting Assurance

•     Attachment II: Tribal Title IV-E Agency Request for Waiver of Evaluation Requirement

•     Attachment III: Tribal Title IV-E Agency Assurance of Trauma-Informed Service-Delivery

ACYF-CB-PI-18-09: State Requirements for Electing the Title IV-E Prevention and Family Services and Programs

This Program Instruction (PI) provides instructions on the requirements state title IV-E agencies must meet when electing the title IV-E prevention program

• Attachment A: Regional Program Managers
• Attachment B: State title IV-E prevention program five-year plan pre-print
• Attachment C. HHS Initial Practice Criteria and First List of Services and Programs Selected for Review as part of the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

ACYF-CB-PI-18-07 - Implementation of Title IV-E Plan Requirements under Public Law 115-123, the Family First Prevention Services Act 

Program Instruction (PI) to provide instructions for agencies to: 1) amend the Title IV-E Plan Pre-Print (Pre-Print) to meet certain FFPSA title IV-E plan provisions that are effective January 1, 2018 and later, and 2) request a delay of effective dates for certain title IV-B and IV-E plan requirements where permitted by law. 

• Attachment D:  Pre-print Title-IV-E Plan

ACYF-CB-IM-18-02

Text of the Family First Prevention Services Act

The Family First Prevention Services Act was passed and signed into law (P.L. 115-123) as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act on February 9, 2018. 

The Family First Act: The Tailwind Needed to Increase Family-Based Care in NY

Perspectives from the Redlich Horwitz Foundation which outlines initial thoughts and recommendations for what NY counties can do now to prepare for implementation (2018).

New York Family First  Clearinghouse

Website which contains tools and strategies to assist  NYS local districts as they prepare for the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act.  Powered by the Redlich Horwitz Foundation.  Contains a series of videos  including the first video - NY Leaders Are Putting Families First  which highlights why key leaders in the state are increasing kinship care and rightsizing congregate care.

Detailed Summary of the Family First Prevention Services Act by the Children’s Defense Fund

Brief Summary of the Family First Prevention Services Act by the Children’s Defense Fund

First Prevention Services Act Implementation timeline by the Children’s Defense Fund

Casey Family Programs Summary of the Family First Prevention Services Act

Congressional Research Service (CRS) summary of the Family First Prevention Services Act 

Family First Prevention Services Act: Final Enacted Provisions Compared to Earlier House-Approved Language & Prior Law

This side by side analysis drafted by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) compares the earlier bill with the final enacted version. 

National Center for State Courts Issue Brief

Brief overview of law and court-related Provisions

Webinar on Family First  hosted by Casey Family Programs by staff from House Subcommittee on Human Resources and Senate Finance Committee 

This webinar covered the history, data, and voices of those who experienced the system that led to this legislation and includes important information on each title of the legislation.  Questions should be directed to FamilyFirst@casey.org

New Opportunities for Kinship Families: Action Steps to Implement the Family First Prevention Services Act in Your Community

Family First brief  developed by ABA Center on Children and the Law, Children's Defense Fund and Generations United that highlights provisions that help kinship families, along with steps caregivers, advocates, and other leaders can take to help implement the Family First Act. Includes a chart comparing services and supports for kin before and after the Family First Act.  (December 2018).

February 28, 2019 Generations United Webinar - Improving State and Tribal Foster Family Home Licensing Standards: 

Complying with the Family First Prevention Services Act’s Licensing Requirements

Webinar on how and why to comply with mandatory March 31^st Family First Act licensing requirements, and the important role grandfamilies’ advocates play in that process.  The webinar explores the new national model foster family home licensing standards released by the Children’s Bureau on February 4^th, the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) model family foster home licensing standards on which the Children Bureau “relied heavily,” and the specific reporting requirements for states and tribes.

This is our collective chance to eliminate unnecessary licensing barriers so more relatives caring for children in foster care can become licensed and receive ongoing monthly financial assistance, supports, and pathways to exit the system with monthly assistance.  These model standards address all foster family homes, so addressing unnecessary obstacles will facilitate the licensing of more non-relative foster family homes as well.  Cultural considerations for tribes are explored on the webinar, as well as specialized standards for family-based treatment foster care.

• Power Point Slides
• Recording

National Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards, ACYF-CB-IM-19-01

On February 4, 2019, the Children’s Bureau released final National Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (National Model), as required by the Family First Prevention Services Act.  The Children’s Bureau used the NARA Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (NARA Model) as the “main source” for its proposed National Model, and then accorded it “considerable deference” in deciding whether to modify the proposed National Model. 

FAQ on the National Model Foster Family Home Licensing Standards

Generations United prepared 10 questions and answers concerning this new Model, the NARA Model on which it "relied heavily" and Family First Act reporting requirements (2019). 

Considerations for Federal Register Comments on proposed Model National Family Foster Home Licensing Standards

The proposed Model National Family Foster Home Licensing Standards are a requirement of the Family First Prevention Services Act. This resource was developed jointly by National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), Generations United & American Bar Association (ABA) Center on Children and the Law to assist those who wish to comment on these proposed standards (September 2018).

Family First Prevention Services Act Brief Summary: Implications for Grandfamilies

Detailed summary of the kinship provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act  developed by Generations United adapted from the Children’s Defense Fund’s detailed summary below. 

Kin First:  Policies to Support Children in Families and Prepare to Meet the Requirements of Family First Prevention Services Act

Kin First  document  developed by CHAMPS New York to help promote better outcomes for children in foster care and support  NY counties in preparing to meet the requirements of FFPSA.

Generations United - March 20, 2018 Webinar on The Family First Prevention Services Act: Implications for Grandfamilies

Recording and Power Point Slides

PowerPoint Slides Only

Using New Federal Funding Opportunities to Develop Effective Kinship Navigator Programs Webinars

Regional webinars delivered on accessing new federal funding available under the Family First Prevention Services Act for states, tribes and U.S. territories and developing high quality, evidence-based programs.  This webinar featured presentations from national experts, local programs, and kinship caregivers. It also includes information about how to develop programs to meet evidence-based standards and highlight opportunities for further technical assistance. Hosted by Generations United as part of a regional webinar series supported by Casey Family Programs.