What is Family First?
The Family First Act underscores the importance of children growing up in families and seeks to avoid the traumatic experience of children being separated from their families and entering foster care. Specifically, funding is available for trauma informed, evidence-based foster care prevention services within the following categories:
- Mental Health Prevention and Treatment Services
- Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Services
- In-Home Parent Skill-Based Programs
Learn more about the services eligible for Family First funding in Virginia’s Title IV-E Prevention Services Plan.
Family First aims to improve the well-being of children already in foster care by incentivizing states to reduce placement of children in non-family based placements, and instead place children in the least restrictive, most family-like setting appropriate to their individual needs. For an overview of Family First Foster Care requirements, please click here.
Family First...
Supports
The VDSS overarching mission that kids should grow up in a safe, stable and secure family that supports their long-term well-being.
Upholds
Children do best in families and families do best in strong, supportive communities. Family First ensures a family first for children and teens by providing prevention services to keep children safe and families together.
Invests
This program is the largest investment in the child welfare system in nearly 40 years.
Family First Services
Prevention Services
Target resources and services that prevent foster care placements and help children remain safely in their homes.
Foster Care Services
Ensure children maintain family connections needed for healthy development and emotional well-being while finding safe, permanent homes for children as quickly as possible.
Evidence-Based Programs
Advance the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based, trauma-informed services that appropriately and effectively improve child safety, ensure permanency and promote child and family well-being.
