Merging Service Utilization and Prevention Mindset for Improved Outcomes

The Family First team, in collaboration with the Service Array team, is working on a new project called the Efficient Prevention Initiative (EPI), which creates alignment with FFPSA, Service Array, and DCYF’s mission and values. Efficient prevention focuses on improving staff well-being and achieving positive outcomes for families by changing how staff and others engage with prevention services.

Efficient prevention involves creating a culture of learning, making sure people know about and use available services, ensuring case plans have measurable goals, and tackling systemic problems, inequities, and resources shortages. By simplifying workflows, promoting a prevention mindset, and supporting staff at all levels, EPI. helps build a strong, adaptable, and skilled workforce that collaborates well with families, community partners, and the court system.

Tribal Prevention Services

FFPSA supports Tribal Nations in utilizing Title IV-E funds in ways that honor their cultural traditions and strengthen families. Recognizing the importance of Tribal sovereignty, new policies ensure that Tribes—not outside systems—define and implement prevention services for families at risk of out-of-home placement or involved in the child welfare system.

On July 30, 2024, the Children’s Bureau issued policies affirming that Tribes operating their own Title IV-E Prevention programs, or those under specific agreements, are not required to follow the same criteria as state agencies. This recognizes that Tribal Nations have the right to develop service standards that reflect their cultural traditions and unique family structures. 

In Washington, the 29 Federally Recognized Tribes have a key opportunity to integrate traditional prevention methods into Title IV-E agreements. DCYF is committed to collaborating with Tribal Nations to ensure that prevention services reflect and uphold Indigenous ways of knowing, healing, and family connection. Tribal knowledge and traditions—such as ceremony, language, and intergenerational teachings—have long served as protective factors in keeping families strong. Recognizing this, FFPSA strengthens the ability of Tribes to define and implement culturally grounded prevention efforts.

DCYF looks forward to supporting this initiative after the updated Five-Year Prevention Plan is approved by the Children’s Bureau. 

Engaging Lived Experts & Community Partners

FFPSA prioritizes prevention to strengthen families and reduce the need for foster care. At the heart of this effort is Family First Community-Based Pathways, designed to provide culturally responsive, evidence-based services that reflect the unique needs of each community by trusted community-based organizations. Families, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience will play a vital role in the co-creation of Family First Community-Based Pathways, ensuring they will be equitable and truly supportive in helping children remain safely with their families. 

To ensure diverse voices are heard, opportunities for community engagement will include listening sessions, workgroups, and virtual surveys. These conversations will guide the development of the Family First Community-Based Pathways that will support families and promote long-term stability.  

Specific details on these engagement opportunities will be released soon, inviting all voices to contribute to shaping Family First Community-Based Pathways and creating a more inclusive, community-driven approach to prevention and family support.