The Family First Prevention Services Act (PDF)
An Opportunity for Systems Change Policy is a necessary tool in preventing child maltreatment, but policy alone is insufficient in addressing its complex root causes. Systems change, or ‘shifting the conditions that are holding the problem in place, is a collaborative approach that works to redefine relationships between system actors, develop a shared understanding of the root causes of the problem, and implement strategies to influence drivers of systems change. The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) provides a unique opportunity for child welfare and other systems to work towards changing the conditions that have been focused on placing children in foster care and shift towards a prevention approach. The ability to update spending priorities, statewide rules and regulations, and infuse the latest evidence-based practices are all possible through FFPSA implementation, just as child welfare is facing new challenges and an increasing number of children in foster care.