Transformative Edge of Reform
Front Door Efforts on the Transformative Edge of Reform
States and counties have also attempted to imagine a new way of operating child welfare systems by pushing beyond the current regulatory and funding barriers that plague the system. These efforts have brought the system to the edge of transformation but have not been implemented to scale or in a way that has transformed the system.
Examples of Front Door Efforts on the Transformative Edge of Reform
The Family First Prevention Services Act (2018) is a major legislative reform effort that looks to address the front door of the child welfare system by allowing states to submit plans to the federal government to draw down previously restricted Title IV-E funds for prevention services without having to remove the child. Though the legislation significantly reformed the use of federal child welfare funds, it continues to fall short for many children, youth, and families. The state plans to draw down prevention funds require the services to meet a high evidence-based threshold that restricts some of the most basic yet effective economic and social supports a family needs to remain together. Many of the evidence-based services are not designed to meet the needs of youth and young adults and address the reasons they may be at-risk of coming into foster care. To qualify for these services, the young person must also be deemed a candidate for foster care which is left to the individual states to define and can be restrictive in eligibility for many older youth and their families.
Peer Parent Advocates can assist families in navigating the child welfare system and advocate for the needs of the family. These programs provide dedicated and supported employment opportunities for parents who have experience with the child welfare system; positions that can further one parent’s career while improving access and engagement with services for other families who can see their identities within the provider. State and local jurisdictions have begun to embed these peer parent services in child welfare offices and family courts to help families engage in services and navigate court processes.