Family First (Federal)

Family First

DC Federal Family First Title IV-E Prevention Program Five-Year Plan: “Putting Families First in DC” (Family First Prevention Plan)

The Family First Plan describes how our agency will implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act enacted to increase the availability of services to keep children safely with their families and out of foster care. Unlike before, we are now able to access federal funding to assist families before they come into care by referring them to services through the Collaboratives and evidence-based programs. Family First is merely an enhancement and the next evolution of the prevention work CFSA is already doing.  

CFSA’s Four Pillars strategic values stand at the forefront of all Family First Prevention Plan activities. The Four Pillars represent a strategic framework to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families at every step in their involvement with the District’s child welfare agency.  
 
CFSA’s Family First Plan focuses on:

• Families in CFSA’s Front Yard who are not involved with CFSA, but may demonstrate potential risk factors for involvement.  
• Families at CFSA’s Front Porch who may have engaged with CFSA, but have been able to safely remain, or reunify with their families, and receive community-based supportive services. 
• Families engaged at CFSA’s Front Door who have an open case with CFSA. Whenever possible, CFSA prioritizes keeping families together and working with parents and children in their communities.

Services include:

• Parenting and Home Visiting Programs
• Mental Health treatment services
• Substance Abuse treatment

CFSA submitted the "Family First Prevention Services Five Year Plan" to the Children’s Bureau on Wednesday April 10, 2019. Effective October 1, 2019. View the DC federal Family First Title IV-E Prevention Program Five-Year Plan: “Putting Families First in DC” (Family First Prevention Plan) here. 

CFSA Prevention Services - This chart outlines our collaboratives and a list of services they provide.  For more information, contact [email protected]. 

Providers

Services

Collaborative Solutions for Communities (link) Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative (link)  Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative (link) East River Family Strengthening Collaborative (link) Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (link)

Caregiver Education Child Care Children's Education Educational Workshops Tutoring Youth Recreational Activities Medical Health (Adult) Medical Health (Child) Mental Health (Adult) Mental Health (Child) Substance Abuse Family Group Decision Making Mentoring Homemaker Services Parenting Support Motivational Interviewing Partner Relations Respite Services Support Groups Whole Family Enrichment Fatherhood Services Parent/Child Interactions Clothing Employment/Employment Supports Food Homemaker Services Legal Assistance Rental Assistance Transportation Utility Assistance Eligibility Benefits (TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, etc.) Financial Management Furniture Housing and/or Housing Supports Emergency Financial Assistance/Flex Funds  Parenting Education and Support Programs (PESP) * (offered by CSC and East River only)

Tools & Resources

Are you a state or jurisdiction in the process of implementing your very-own Family First Prevention Plan? Click here to access archived presentations, meeting minutes and more. For more information on DC's Family First Prevention Plan, contact [email protected].