Family First Act

After three years, a kinship navigator model has finally gained approval from the clearinghouse for Family First Act services

Paul DiLorenzo laments that fact that tremendous community innovations in child welfare is not a focal point of efforts to reform the system

One benefit of an extended career in child welfare settings is that you begin to understand the concept of capacity. I’m not offering this as sage advice or cynical wisdom, nor as a pup social worker who is naïve and imagines that every family and every system can be set on the right track. 

Child welfare philanthropic and policy organizations across the country have started to make investments to address racial disparity and disproportionality. Some of these investments include disaggregating data by race, policy and practice reviews, and community engagement.

Nebraska is about to greatly enhance its prevention aimed at building up families and curbing the state’s use of foster care. The state announced last week that the federal government has approved its plan to implement the Family First Prevention Services Act, a move that will allow Nebraska to tap into more money and services for families and children.

The economic shutdowns, imposed by the government in an effort to keep Americans safe, have levied severe financial stress upon families. According to a study by Columbia University, an additional 8 million households have plunged into poverty.

In December 2019, supporters of the Family Centered Treatment (FCT) model received the news so many child welfare programs are hoping for these days: it was approved for federal funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act.

The election of former Vice President Joe Biden provides an opportunity to end the war against poor families waged by the Trump administration. President Trump sought to deny millions of Americans – including children – health care, food stamps and cash assistance.