FFTA Conversations on Family First Prevention Services Act Conversation #1: Recap and Review of FFPSA Thursday August 16, 2018 Laura Boyd, Ph.D. FFTA Public Policy Director

Chapter 1: Prevention services to keep children safely with their families and out of foster care Who is eligible? “Candidate” for foster care, is defined as a youth at imminent risk of foster care (includes those who have been adopted or are in guardianship care), children in foster care who are pregnant or parenting, parents and kin caregivers who need services to prevent disruptions.

Chapter 1: Prevention Activities under Title IV-E Types of services: mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment, in-home parent skill-based programs, parent education, individual and family counseling in the home. Duration: 12 months beginning on date of formal prevention plan; renewable. No income eligibility requirement for prevention services. Services must meet EBP requirements: promising, supported, or well-supported.(By Oct 1, 2018, HHS will release guidance on these criteria and a ‘pre-approved’ list of services/programs that meet the requirements.) 50 percent of state spending on well- supported programs.

Chapter 2: Ensuring the Necessity of a Placement that is Not in a Foster Family Home Federal funds will be restricted to children in foster family homes, or in qualified residential treatment programs, or other special settings. A foster family home that is licensed or approved by the state and provides care to six or fewer children in foster care (exceptions to this limit can be made to accommodate parenting youth in foster care to remain with their child, keep siblings together, keep children with meaningful relationships with the family, and care for children with severe disabilities). 

What are qualified residential treatment programs, or other special settings? A Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP)  A setting specializing in providing prenatal, post-partum, or parenting supports for pregnant or parenting youth  A supervised setting for youth ages 18 and older who are living independently A licensed residential family-based substance abuse treatment facility for up to 12 months.  A residential setting for youth who have been found to be – or are at risk of becoming – sex trafficking victims. Chapter 2: Ensuring the Necessity of a Placement that is Not in a Foster Family Home (Child-care institutions do not include detention facilities, forestry camps, training schools, or any other facility operated primarily for the detention of children determined to be delinquent.) 

Current Status Kinship Navigator Grants closed June 30, 2018. Public comment on Evidence Based Programs closed July 22nd. Regional Partnership Grants closed August 13th. Public comment on Model Foster Family Licensing are due by Oct. 1. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/08/01/2018- 16380/notice-for-proposed-model-family-foster-home-licensing- standards

FOCUS ON OPPORTUNITIES Children must be served in family settings unless clear evidence suggests that is not in best interest of treatment plan of the child. Requirements of trauma-specific treatment. Development of Evidence-Based Practices. Development and competency in SUD/OUD treatment. Focus on prevention and reunification needs, interventions, and services. Educating and forming partnerships with others in public and private sectors.