The Family First Prevention Services Act focuses federal and state dollars on family services to prevent foster care placements.
Chicago, IL – Safe Families for Children (SFFC) announces its official recognition as a support program by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse, making the non-profit organization eligible for potential Title IV-E reimbursement under the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). With this approval, SFFC joins a select group of evidence-based prevention programs to advance the mission of keeping children safe and families together.
“This designation affirms that we’ve long known that our model is a trusted and effective solution for keeping children safely with their families during times of crisis,” said Dr. Dave Anderson, Founder and Executive Director of SFFC. The FFPSA aims to reduce the number of children entering foster care by investing in prevention services for families at risk. This redirection of funds seeks to keep families together by addressing the root causes of child welfare involvement.
In 2013, SFFC initiated the Family First IV-E process in conjunction with the launch of SFFC’s Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The trial concluded in 2018, affirming SFFC’s effectiveness, with 78% of families who received SFFC care being deflected from foster care, compared to the 47% for families receiving prevention services as usual. This community-driven model focuses on creating supportive relationships, not separation, and it’s working: with 97% of families who engage with Safe Families remaining safely together.
Under traditional Title IV-E requirements, child welfare dollars were only available once a child was removed from their home, sparking concern among child welfare providers. “The child welfare system is reactive, only responding after bad things happen. Why do we have to wait?” explained Dr. Anderson. “Someone should change the way families are supported—before child welfare involvement.” Dr. Anderson did just that.
Safe Families for Children is a nationwide volunteer-driven movement that has supported over 65,000 vulnerable children and isolated families. SFFC has 98 chapters providing prevention services in 214 counties across 26 states. Their unique advantage lies in mobilizing entire communities under a shared vision: protecting children and building resilient families is everyone’s responsibility.
A special recognition goes to the tireless work of Dr. Mark Testa, Dr. Steve Buddy, and Dr. William Schneider, whose research and dedication made this accomplishment possible. SFFC looks forward to expanding its reach and commitment to underserved and under-resourced families nationwide. The goal is to make prevention a priority!
To view the federal government’s announcement, please use this LINK. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Cheri Jimenez, Director of Communications, at cjimenez@safefamilies.net.
Safe Families for Children’s Path to Family First IV-E Approval
A Journey of Vision, Research, and Impact
2013 – Launching the Vision
Dr. Dave Anderson, founder of Safe Families for Children (SFFC), initiates the Family First IV-E pursuit and begins a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.
2018 – Research Completion
The RCT concludes, demonstrating SFFC’s success in keeping children with their families during personal crises.
December 2019 – Meeting Initial Family First Criteria
SFFC’s RCT is made publicly available on both the SFFC website and Open Science platform, qualifying SFFC as one of hundreds meeting Families First IV-E preliminary requirements.
2023 – Evolving Prioritization Standards
Family First prioritizes programs affiliated with Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development and the California Clearinghouse. Programs must also publish a randomized trial in a peer-reviewed journal.
November 2023 – Peer-Reviewed Publication
SFFC’s evaluation, “Effects of a Voluntary Hosting Program for Child Welfare Involved Families,” is published, meeting key criteria.
July 2024 – Clearinghouse Recognition
SFFC is added to the California Clearinghouse. An independent evaluation by Illinois’s state child welfare agency confirms SFFC meets the Family First criteria as a Supported Program.
January 2025 – Final IV-E Review Begins
SFFC is named one of only 31 programs prioritized for full IV-E review. Among those, SFFC is categorized as an In-Home Parent Skill-Based service.
July 2025 – Approval Secured
SFFC receives Family First IV-E approval. States may now include SFFC in their IV-E plans and request federal reimbursement—opening doors to greater funding, sustainability, and nationwide family impact.