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Prevention

The National Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement (NCWCIA) supports public child welfare agencies in their efforts to prevent child maltreatment, promote children's healthy development, and assist families in meeting their needs. We assist States and Territories with effective implementation of Federal prevention programs, such as the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) and prevention programs funded under title IV-B of the Social Security Act, such as the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program. FFPSA and title IV-B, subparts 1 and 2, focus on providing an expansive service array to keep children safely with their families and reduce foster care placements.  

NCWCIA responds to jurisdictions’ unique needs and delivers customized, data-driven supports to help States and Territories develop, implement, and expand their prevention programs. Our teams foster collaboration across child-serving systems and partner with jurisdictions to identify and adopt evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes. In addition, NCWCIA assists jurisdictions with ensuring they have the tools necessary to support older youth in foster care as they move toward independence.  

Spotlight

Decision-Making in Child Welfare for Improved Safety Outcomes

Learn about the importance of clear and consistent standards for child safety decisions and tools that can help prevent unnecessary removals and reduce the recurrence of maltreatment.

Publication Year 2025

Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program

Explore ways to strengthen family stability and child welfare outcomes by leveraging the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program. This federally funded initiative supports States and Tribes in developing integrated, community-based services to prevent child maltreatment and promote permanency. 

Publication Year 2025

NCWCIA Resources

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NCWCIA librarians provide research support to help public child welfare agencies learn about and apply data-driven practices.

Contact us at NCWCIA-Info@jbsinternational.com or 800-865-0980.

Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program

Explore ways to strengthen family stability and child welfare outcomes by leveraging the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program. This federally funded initiative supports States and Tribes in developing integrated, community-based services to prevent child maltreatment and promote permanency. 

Publication Year 2025

Prevention PIINGS

NCWCIA offers Peer Innovation and Insight Networking Groups (PIINGs) to provide a national platform for members to exchange insights and knowledge and develop strategies that are innovative and advance outcomes for children and families. 

Members have access to data, information, and best practices utilized in child welfare systems and opportunities for discussion, feedback, and planning with their peers. 

Our prevention-focused PIINGs include the following:  

  • Children’s Justice Act Grantees 
  • Citizen Review Panels 
  • Family Leaders in Child Welfare 
  • FFPSA Prevention Plan Leads 
  • Hotline/Intake/Screening Managers   
  • Kinship Navigators  
  • Preventing & Addressing Human Trafficking in Child Welfare  
  • State Liaison Officers 

Visit the PIINGs page for a complete list of PIINGs or contact NCWCIA-Info@jbsinternational.com to learn more. 

Children’s Bureau Title IV-E Prevention Program Federal Guidance

Learn about the Family First Prevention Services Act and explore Federal guidance on implementing this important legislation.  

Publication Year 2025 

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Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

Examine research on programs and services designed to strengthen support for children and families while preventing foster care placements. The Clearinghouse, established under the Family First Prevention Services Act as outlined in Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, evaluates and rates these programs as well-supported, supported, promising, or not currently meeting criteria. 

Publication Year 2025 

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Planning Title IV-E Prevention Services: A Toolkit for States

Learn how to develop a strategic plan for title IV-E prevention services and help States establish a comprehensive array of supports aimed at preventing the need for foster care placement. This toolkit offers considerations for planning and provides links to many additional resources that may be useful to States. 

Publication Year 2020 

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Evaluation Plan Development Tip Sheet: A Resource for Child Welfare Organizations (PDF)

Explore helpful tips in this Information Memorandum on how to develop an evaluation plan to support implementation of Family First Prevention Services Act service interventions.

Publication Year 2019

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Relative Care

Learn about Federal programs that support the use of relative caregivers and explore resources to support the use of relative care in your community.

Publication Year 2024

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How Some States Use Title IV-E Foster Care Funding for Family-Based Facilities That Treat Substance Use Disorders (PDF)

Learn how States are using the Family First Prevention Services Act to support reunification when parents are in a substance use disorder treatment facility. 

Publication Year 2021 

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