Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
Information below for whether you are starting to familiarize yourself with the Family First Prevention Services Act or are looking for the latest news and information.
This page is updated regularly, so be sure to check back often. Any questions about the issues and implications regarding FFPSA compliance and implementation, call or write us.

The Basics
Start here for a better understanding of FFPSA.
- FFPSA – Summary // Full Review
- QRTP Requirements for FFPSA – Quality Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) are a specific category of non-foster family home settings eligible for Title IV-E reimbursement. Requirements for qualifying and maintenance claiming. Summary
Clearinghouse Programs – Find evidence-based programs and resources that will meet your strategic planning needs. Overview of Approved Services - Family First Transition Act – Flexible funding for states and tribes to help implement Family First, as well as short-term funding guarantees for states with expiring Title IV-E waivers. Overview
Accreditation for QRTPs
Per the FFPSA – in order to receive federal reimbursement after the first two weeks that a child has been in care, the program must be designated a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). In order to be considered a QRTP, the program must be licensed and accredited by an HHS approved accreditor by October 1, 2019, unless a state requests a delay for up to two years.
More on that here:
- Comparison of Federal Requirements for QRTP and PRTF – Link
- The Advantages of Accreditation – Link
- Are you Ready for Accreditation? – Link
- How a Consultant Can Help – Link
- Accreditation and the FFPSA Mandate – Link
- State Status – A list of states that have submitted their plan and ones that have been approved – Link
Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
For the latest updates on FFPSA:
May 2023:
New Prevention Services Clearinghouse Video
This video gives a complete overview of the programs and services that can be found on the Clearinghouse website, as well as where to find information resources, such as the Frequently Asked Questions, Prevention Services Clearinghouse Handbook of Standards and Procedures, and the Reporting Guide for Study Authors.
Click here to view the video.
April 2023:
New Ratings Available for the Following Services
- Assertive Community
- Common Sense Parenting® – School Age
- Common Sense Parenting® of Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Foster Kinship Navigator Program
- Functional Family Probation and Parole
- Group Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Individual Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Multisystemic Therapy – Building Stronger Families
- Prompting First Relationships®
- Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment
- Trauma Systems Therapy
- Trauma Systems Therapy for Foster Care
January 2023:
Conceptualizing Community Pathways: Key Questions and Considerations
This document is primarily designed to support child welfare agencies and their partners during the exploration stage 1 of designing and implementing community pathways to prevention in the context of the Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First).
Click here to read the document
November 2022:
The Public Call for Recommendations is Still Open!
The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse requests recommendations for mental health, substance abuse, in-home parent skill-based, and kinship navigator programs and services to be considered for systematic review.
The deadline for submissions is November 22, 2022.
To learn more about the call, including submission requirements and instructions, please click here.
October 2022:
New Ratings and Updates to the Working List Available on the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Website
- Arizona Kinship Support Services
- Bounce Back
- BRAVE
- Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools
- Functional Family Therapy – Child Welfare
- Functional Family Therapy – Therapeutic Case Management
- Guiding Good Choices®
- Multimedia Circle of Life
- Multisystemic Therapy – Substance Abuse
- Multisystemic Therapy – Prevention
- SafeCare Augmented (Re-Review)
- Strong African American Families
- Strong African American Families – Teen
June 2022:
Title IV-E Clearing House New Ratings for 9 Programs/Services
- Chicago Parent Program
- Early Pathways
- Effective Black Parenting Program
- ezPARENT
- Families Actively Improving Relationships
- Families First (Utah Youth Village Model)
- Fostering Healthy Futures® for Preteens
- Fostering Healthy Futures® for Teens
- On the Way Home®
Title IV-E Clearing House New Ratings for 12 Programs/Services
- Being Brave
- C.A.T. Project
- Camp Cope-A-Lot
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Coping Cat – Group
- Coping Cat – Individual
- Criando con Amor: Promoviendo Armonía y Superación – Jóvenes
- Family Centered Treatment (re-review)
- Mindful Mood Balance
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Parents
- Sacred Journey
- Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (re-reviewPul
May 2022:
Prevention Services Clearinghouse’s 3 New Fact Sheets
- The Review Process: Navigating Timeline Challenges – Fact Sheet describing factors that influence the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse review process timeline and steps that study authors and program or service developers can take to help ensure a timely review process.
- How Does the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Determine Which Studies are Reviewed? – Fact Sheet describing how the Clearinghouse Determines whether a study of a particular program or service is eligible for review and identifies common reasons that studies are not eligible for review.
- How Does the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Rate the Design and Execution of Studies? – Fact Sheet addressing frequently asked questions about how the Clearinghouse rates the design and execution of studies it reviews, describes common reasons why studies may receive low ratings on the design and execution standards, and lays out possible approaches to design and executive studies in alignment with the standards
March 2022:
New Website Address and Ratings
The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse website address has changed to PreventionServices.acf.hhs.gov. New ratings for 15 programs/services are now listed.
January 2022:
New Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Ratings
Click below for new ratings available for:
- High Fidelity Wraparound/Intensive Care Coordination Using High Fidelity Wraparound
- Intercept® (Re-review)
- Lilliput Families Kinship Support Services Program
October 2021:
As of October 1, 2021, The Family First Prevention Services Act is effective in all states.
Click here for a listing of all prevention programs/services reviewed by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse including a comprehensive description of the program/service, the rating given the program/service and the subdomain(s) impacts.
On October 26, 2021, The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced the approval of its Family First Title IV-E Prevention Plan by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau. You can keep up to date on all Family First Title IV-E Prevention plans by checking the Children’s Bureau website: Status of Submitted Title IV-E Prevention Program Five-Year Plans
September 2021
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Webinar
Click here for the recorded July 29 webinar on the Reporting Guide for Study Authors. This recorded webinar provides guidance for submitting studies to the Title IV-E Clearinghouse for its review to determine eligibility and assign ratings. This webinar helps study authors learn how to describe their studies and how the Clearinghouse uses study information to determine eligibility for review, assign design and execution ratings, and determine program or service ratings. It also highlights recommended practices for research reporting.
August 2021:
New Ratings from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse are now available for the following programs and services.
July 2021:
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on the Handbook of Standards and Procedures for the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. Your comments will inform ongoing discussion about potential updates and clarifications to existing standards and procedures. The deadline for comments is August 16, 2021. To learn more, click here.
FamilyFirstAct.org Resource Updates – Title IV-E Approved Prevention Plans:
Arkansas Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Washington DC Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Iowa Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Kansas Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Kentucky Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Nebraska Title IV-E Prevention Plan
North Dakota Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Oregon Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Utah Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Washington State Title IV-E Prevention Plan
West Virginia Title IV-E Prevention Plan
Thirteen states, tribes and jurisdictions have received approval for their Title IV-E Prevention plans under Family First. You can keep up to date on submitted and approved plans by checking the Children’s Bureau website: Status of Submitted Title IV-E Prevention Program Five-Year Plans
June 2021:
Family First Evidence-Based Practices Exploration and Cost Tool
Chapin Hall has released the Family First Evidence-Based Practices Exploration and Cost Tool, which is designed to help select approved evidence-based programs or practices when planning Family First prevention services (Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse). The tool provides overviews of each EBP along with a survey tool that can be used to match program fit and usability based on target populations, program goals, evidence rating, program intensity and duration, program cost, staffing and training requirements, and other factors.
New FFPSA Resource The Prevention Services Clearinghouse is now providing Reporting Guide for Study Authors to facilitate the clearinghouse’s review process and help study authors describe their studies completely and consistently.
May 2021:
New ratings from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse are now available for the following programs and services:
- Child First
- Family Spirit®
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents with PTSD
- Triple P – Positive Parenting Program – Online (Level 4) (Re-Review)
Click here to review the entire working list.
- FFPSA FINAL IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE UPDATE: Through discussions with our contacts in the field, we have confirmed that at this time, the federal government will not be moving the Oct. 1, 2021 final date for implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). If you are not already accredited but are proactively planning to begin the process, we recommend that you first speak with your state contact to clarify any details on potential extensions. You should also discuss your state’s information with the accrediting body that you will be (are) working with to achieve accreditation.
If you have not yet begun the process, but are interested in learning more about becoming accredited – click here for our free organizational assessment which can help to determine your level of preparedness. We will continue to update you and/or provide links to resources as they become available to us.
April 2021:
The IMPRINT April 22, 2021
How the $500 Million Family First Transition Fund Will Work Learn More
Half -billion in Grants to 15 State Child Welfare Agencies Learn More
- As the FFPSA deadline approaches – the accrediting bodies are working to help agencies become accredited in a more expedient time frame. We contacted the federally approved accrediting bodies to see what they are each doing specifically:
CARF’s standard policy permits an organization to select the programs to be included in its accreditation process so that a multi-service/program organization can apply for accreditation only of its residential and/or group home program and narrow the scope. Click here for more information on program specific accreditation.
COA is permitting FFPSA mandated multi-service organizations to do a “phased in” accreditation. Phased Accreditation
The Joint Commission’s business development team is available to discuss each case on an individual basis. If you are interested specifically in accreditation through The Joint Commission – they encourage you to contact them to see if residential accreditation as an initial process is an option.
EAGLE is working with each agency on a case by case basis to see how they can effectively move them along in the accreditation process. More info here
The Teaching Family Association is actively working with agencies who have reached out specifically seeking accreditation to meet Family First requirements and has leveraged technology and creative communication strategies to move people forward through flexible, resourceful, and collaborative approaches. To learn more visit TFA.
December 2020:
- The Children’s Bureau will now allow title IV-E agencies to adapt programs and services that have been approved as part of the title IV-E agency’s Title IV-E Prevention Services Program Plan to a virtual environment to allow for children and families to receive necessary services without interruption and within public health guidelines. More Info
September 2020:
- The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse requests recommendations for mental health, substance abuse, in-home parent skill-based, and kinship navigator programs and services to be considered for systematic review. Deadline is October 5. More Info
August 2020:
- To help agencies implement Family First, The Children’s Defense Fund, in a collaboration with a coalition of organizations developed the Implementing Family First Guide. Specific information and questions answered. Starting on page 107 – details regarding FFPSA/QRTPs and Accreditation. Family First Guide
- The Prevention Services Clearinghouse recently announced ratings on a number of programs and services. List
- The Children’s Bureau hosted a 2-part webinar to share the lessons and experiences of two jurisdictions whose Title IV-E Prevention Plans received approval from CB. The intent was to provide child welfare leaders guidance on developing and implementing prevention plans while taking advantage of the provisions within the Family First. Part 1 & 2
July 2020:
- COA Offers Phased Accreditation Option: Help in the midst of COVID-19 for FFPSA mandated private organizations. More here.
May 2020:
- Kansas Family First Prevention Plan Approved: Read plan here
- Program Instruction Request Flexibility Information: Children’s Bureau released new Program Instruction (PI) to provide instruction and procedures to title IV-E agencies on how to request flexibility to specific requirements. Instruction
- Title IV-E Administrative Claims for Foster Care Candidates: Under the FFPSA, states can claim Title IV-E administrative costs for children receiving in-home services who meet specific criteria. Outline
April 2020:
- The Children’s Bureau released guidance regarding several areas of existing flexibility under title IV-E including enhanced foster care maintenance payment (FCMP) rates, modifying foster family home licensing standards and hazard pay for child welfare agency caseworkers. Letter from Jerry Milner
- Deadline and separate application for states to apply for FFTA funding removed in light of pandemic. Some states to distribute funding as aid in accrediting organizations. Letter from Jerry Milner
- Estimated State Allocations Under the Family First Transition Act (FFTA) – Update
- Federal Budget Plans for 2021 To Include Broader Access to Funds and Resources for FFPSA – Article
Accrediting Bodies
The benefits derived from Accreditation include organizational improvements throughout your agency. That’s why many leadership teams approach accreditation as an investment in the organization.
To get an accurate understanding of costs associated with accreditation from each of the accrediting bodies – you should contact them directly.
How We Can Help
Our team of accreditation experts is ready to assist your organization in achieving accreditation. All consultants have at least 20 years of experience with national accreditation agencies in the child welfare and behavioral health care fields. We customize our solutions to fit your needs, services and timelines.
We offer several packages to fit the needs of a variety of organizations. These sessions range from a one-hour introductory webinar to 90-minute sessions at conferences to day-long or multi-day intensive, interactive in-person training that serves as an accreditation boot camp for service providers.
We are proud of our 100% success rate helping clients achieve accreditation.