Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) & HFA Home Visiting
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) gives states, territories, and tribes the option to use child welfare programming funds (Title IV-E federal funds) for evidence-based preventive services.
Why should Healthy Families America be included in a Family First Prevention Plan?
Healthy Families America (HFA) is rated as well-supported by the Family First Clearinghouse. Over the past several years, HFA has developed child welfare protocols that provide additional guidance to Local Implementing Agencies (LIAs) when serving families referred from Child Welfare, while maintaining the expected rigor and fidelity requirements providers have expected from HFA for almost 30 years.
HFA sites must request national office approval to utilize child welfare protocols and are able to extend enrollment for families with a child up to 24 months of age referred by the child welfare system. Consistent with HFA requirements, voluntary services are offered for a minimum of three years, regardless of the age of the child at intake.
This resource was developed to provide information on the Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) and the opportunities within the Act to provide prevention services for families at risk of entering the foster care system. Prevent Child Abuse America and Healthy Families America are committed to helping states understand the complexities of Family First and the opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of HFA in their state’s Prevention Plan.
