Prevention services update: Title IV-E Five-year Prevention Services Plan
In addition to changes in residential settings, Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) of 2018 allows states and tribes opportunities for federal Title IV-E reimbursement for costs associated with placement prevention services for eligible children and their caregivers.
To access Title IV-E reimbursement for prevention services under FFPSA, the state’s Title IV-E agency, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (department), must have an approved Title IV-E Five-year Prevention Services Plan describing how the department will meet FFPSA requirements. Once approved, a portion of costs associated with providing specific trauma-informed and evidenced-based services up to 12 months for eligible children and their caregivers can be claimed. Eligible administrative and training costs associated with the plan can also be claimed.
Children belong in families
Children belong in families, not facilities; the child welfare system has an obligation to support children and families through partnerships with families and their communities. FFPSA prevention services focus on family preservation with children remaining safely in their homes with services specific to meet their individual needs. Prevention services and case management should build upon the whole family, their strengths and not deficits.
Prevention services goals
The goals of FFPSA implementation in Minnesota focus on improving the health and well-being of children and families. This includes:
- Keeping children with their families
- Reducing the risk of future maltreatment
- Reducing re-entry into foster care
- Standardizing child welfare safety practice in Minnesota
- Addressing disparities of American Indian and African American children in the child welfare system
- Expanding availability of culturally responsive services, and
- Creating an accessible, sustainable system of family preservation services, strengthening families and improving outcomes for children statewide.
Finalizing Minnesota’s FFPSA prevention plan
The department, in partnership with multiple stakeholders, is in the process of finalizing Minnesota’s plan for FFPSA prevention services. The plan will be submitted to the Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, for review and approval. For information on the process of plan development and implementation in Minnesota, visit the CounyLink website. For information on state requirements for electing Title IV-E prevention services and federal program instruction, visit the Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau program instruction.
Questions:
Contact the following:
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