Prevention services update: Evaluation, fidelity monitoring, and continuous quality improvement plan
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) has requirements for all prevention services. All requirements must be met as outlined in Minnesota’s Title IV-E Five-year Prevention Services plan to be eligible for federal Title IV-E reimbursement. Service and plan oversight requirements include a well-designed and rigorous evaluation, fidelity monitoring, and a continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan.
Evaluation
Each service in the state’s Prevention Services plan rated as supported or promising by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse must have a well-designed and rigorous evaluation plan. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (department) may request an evaluation waiver for services rated as well supported. See ACYF-CB-IM-09-04 for an Evaluation Plan Development tip sheet.
Fidelity monitoring
Each service on the state’s Prevention Services plan must be monitored to ensure fidelity to the practice model. Fidelity monitoring will ensure that the evidence-based practice (EBP) models are implemented as intended. This may vary depending on EBP model. Examples of fidelity monitoring may include ensuring providers complete a certain level of training and certification, or adhering to the EBP model curriculum in each provider-family visit. See ACYF-CB-IM-18-09, p. 5, for more information.
Continuous quality improvement
The Prevention Services plan must describe continuous quality improvement efforts, including how:
- Implementation of identified prevention services and programs will be continuously monitored to fidelity
- Outcomes will be measured, and
- Information learned from monitoring is used to refine and improve practices. See ACYF-CB-IM-18-09, p. 9, for information.
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Public Call
The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse currently has an open public call for program and service recommendations to be considered for systematic review. Programs and service recommendations that are chosen will be reviewed to determine eligibility under the prevention services clearinghouse. The deadline to submit recommendations is Dec. 21, 2021.
For more information, visit Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Public Call webpage.
Workgroup planned for early 2022
Department staff will be convening additional work groups in 2022 to develop the state’s plan for evaluation, fidelity monitoring, and continuous quality improvement for Minnesota’s Title IV-E Five-year Prevention Services Plan. This is the last major component that must be developed before the department can submit it to the federal Children’s Bureau.
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