ACF Expands Prevention Services to Strengthen Families and Reduce Foster Care Entries

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced the addition of new evidence-based interventions to the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. This expansion of services provides states with a new suite of proven tools to strengthen families and prevent unnecessary entries into foster care, when appropriate.

Prevention services are integral to achieving a 1:1 ratio of foster homes to children in foster care nationwide, as outlined by ACF's hallmark initiative, A Home for Every Child . By investing in prevention services, ACF is equipping families with resources to address challenges before they escalate to a point where children must be removed from their homes.

"Prevention is one of the most important components of the Trump administration's child welfare strategy," said Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams. "When we invest in prevention, we invest in keeping children safely at home where they belong. We hope states will take advantage of these new options and add them to their state prevention plans quickly."

ACF's Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) conducted rigorous reviews for each evidence-based intervention, using evidence-based scientific methods. The review process ensures that only programs with demonstrated effectiveness are eligible to receive federal reimbursement under Title IV-E prevention services funding.

"Robust evidence is the foundation of effective prevention," said Lauren Supplee, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning, Research, and Evaluation. "By using rigorous, systematic methods to review these interventions, we are ensuring states can invest in programs proven to strengthen families and keep children safely at home."

This announcement builds on ACF's recent efforts to strengthen prevention services, including expanding access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder for at-risk families. States can access these programs and others to provide mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and in-home parent skill-based programs to families at risk of child welfare involvement. The programs and services with rigorous evidence of effectiveness include:

Find the full list of ratings for programs and services released this week at Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse.