The clearinghouse tasked with reviewing foster care prevention services for federal funds announced a new slate of 14 programs it would consider, including two that focus on supporting Black families.
Thus far, the clearinghouse has approved 48 program models for funding since the Family First Prevention Services Act was passed in 2018, a law that for the first time enabled states to draw federal funds through the Title IV-E child welfare entitlement for efforts to prevent the use of foster care in some cases. Before former President Trump signed Family First into law, IV-E was limited to costs related to foster care and adoption.
Each potential service is reviewed by identifying high-quality studies of their impact, and using those findings to place the model in one of four tiers: Well-Supported, Supported, Promising, and Does Not Currently Meet Criteria.
Following is a rundown of the new candidates for inclusion, with their current rating from the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), which takes a similar approach in assessing impact.
Arizona Kinship Support Services
What it is: A kinship navigator program that assists relatives and others caring for the children of loved ones in connecting to benefits, support groups, legal resources and more.
CEBC rating: Not rated.
BRAVE (Building Resilience Against Violence Engagement)
What it is: A youth violence prevention strategy built around ensuring the availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate activities.
CEBC rating: Not rated.
Chicago Parent Program
What it is: A program designed with an advisory board of African American and Latino parents that uses group sessions and video vignettes to reduce child behavioral problems and inconsistent discipline by parents.
CEBC rating: Supported.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
What it is: A play-based model aimed at building up strengths such as self-control, confidence and independence.
CEBC rating: Promising.
Circle of Life
What it is: A family substance abuse treatment and support program operated by Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota.
CEBC rating: Not Rated.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS)
What it is: A school-based mental health program for youth who have experienced a traumatic event, particularly community exposure to violence.
CEBC rating: Promising.
Early Pathways
What it is: A parent-child therapy approach for children under the age of 7 with significant behavioral problems.
CEBC rating: Promising.
Effective Black Parenting Program
What it is: A 15-session program focused on strengthening family cohesion, reducing parental stress and promoting cultural pride.
CEBC rating: Promising.
Families Actively Improving Relationships
What it is: Support program for parents who are involved with the child welfare system due in part to their use of drugs.
CEBC rating: Promising.
Families First (Utah Youth Village Model)
What it is: Uses a “Risk, Need, and Responsivity” home visiting model to help parents develop better parenting techniques.
CEBC rating: Promising.
Fostering Healthy Futures
What it is: A mentoring and skills development program for adolescents who have experienced one or more adverse childhood experiences, including abuse or neglect, witnessing violence in their community, or a parent’s struggles with substance abuse or mental health challenges.
CEBC rating: Well-Supported.
Guiding Good Choices
What it is: A program aimed at developing family bonding as a way to curb substance abuse and risky behavior by teens.
CEBC rating: Supported.
On the Way Home
What it is: A reunification program that helps families as a youth reenters the home from a stay in residential care.
CEBC rating: Supported.
Strong African American Families
What it is: A three-module family program to help Black parents prepare kids for their teenage years and discuss sex, drug use and racism in society.
CEBC rating: Supported.