About This Priority
Family preservation services aim to support families at risk of entering the child welfare system, keeping children safe at home and addressing underlying challenges such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Post-adoption and post-permanency services extend this support, ensuring stability for families after reunification, adoption, or guardianship. Since the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) in 2018, Texas has made strides toward implementing evidence-based prevention services but remains one of only three states without an updated Title IV-E Prevention Program Five-Year Plan. The Texas Family First (TFF) pilot programs launched in 2022 provide valuable insights into improving family preservation and post-permanency efforts across the state.
EXPAND
Include families with finalized adoptions or guardianships as a priority for services to avoid disruption and extend eligibility to families with high-risk factors,
ENHANCE
Grow Texas post-adoption and post-permanency support by developing and increasing access specialized programs for respite care, support groups, counseling, and attachment challenges. And provide concrete support to address immediate needs.
LEVERAGE
Leverage administrative structures by utilizing the established SSCC framework under CBC to manage and expand both family preservation and post-permanency services. And expand performance-based contracts.
Our Brief
Learn more about our specific recommendations around family preservation and post-permanency services in our one-pager.
Research
Texas has taken steps forward to implement the changes and improvements envisioned by the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) since its’ passage in 2018.
Take a look at our recent publication for an important to look at the current landscape and understand the steps that Texas has taken to implement FFPSA-eligible evidence-based prevention services.