The Family First Prevention and Services Act (FFPSA) was signed into law in 2018 as part of Public Law (P.L.) 115–123, and has several provisions to enhance support services for families to help children remain at home, reduce the unnecessary use of congregate care, and build the capacity of communities to support children and families. The law enables states and territories to use funds for prevention services, such as:

• Evidence-based mental health programs
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment
• In-home parent skill-based programs
• Kinship navigator programs

We know that children and families do not fare better in foster care, yet billions of dollars are spent each year through the Social Security Act to care for children in care. By reallocating these funds to support families by providing increased prevention services and in-home services, we can keep families safely together for long-term outcomes, which as a result, also reduces costs for the community, state, and nation at large.

For additional information specifically on Wisconsin Families First (also known as Putting Families First), resources, research, and more, visit: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/family-first