Family First Preventation Services Act

A process used by social workers and other professionals to inspire the confidence and desire to change in clients has been cleared for federal funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act, which mostly took effect last month.

Imagine being a child protection agency director 20 years ago and making a bold decision to use the flexibility that comes with capped federal dollars to keep kids from entering foster care – instead of using the funding only as intended, to remove children from struggling families and place them into the system.

As expected, Gavin Newsom (D) was elected as governor of California on a Tuesday night by a relatively large margin over Republican candidate John Cox. Many in the advocacy community are now waiting to see what his election will mean for children’s issues in the state, including the child welfare field.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently announced nearly $18 million in federal grants to states for Kinship Navigator programs, a model for connecting relatives caring for foster youth to benefits, counseling and other forms of assistance.