October 30, 2024
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Family First Prevention Services (FFPS) Program
WELCOME!
We’re thrilled to introduce you to our dedicated space focused on the Family First Prevention Services (FFPS) Program. Our mission here is to empower you with knowledge, connect you with resources, and inspire you to be an active participant in creating a nurturing environment for families in our community. This page is more than just information—it’s a gateway for you to engage with our community and contribute your expertise. Your insights and involvement are invaluable in guiding and enhancing the program. Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community where families thrive and children flourish.
Explore, learn, and join us in making a meaningful difference. Your journey towards impacting positive change starts here!
The Family First Prevention Services (FFPS) Program is a vital initiative designed to support families and improve child welfare in the United States. This program operates under the framework established by the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) of 2018, which aims to promote family preservation and reduce the need for foster care placements.
A vital initiative designed to strengthen families and keep children safely at home.
Under the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), this program allows our county to offer critical support services before a child enters foster care. By focusing on prevention, we aim to reduce the need for out-of-home placements and help families thrive in their own communities.
What FFPS Offers:
Eligible children, youth, and families can access evidence-based services in three key areas:
- Mental Health Services
Support for emotional and behavioral well-being, including counseling and therapeutic services. - Substance Use Treatment
Access to treatment and recovery programs for parents or caregivers facing challenges with substance use. - In-Home Parenting Support
Programs that help strengthen parenting skills, build healthy relationships, and create safe, nurturing home environments.
Who Can Benefit:
This program is designed to support:
- Families at risk of entering the child welfare system
- Youth at risk of placement in foster care
- Pregnant or parenting foster youth
Our Goal:
The goal of FFPS is to keep children safe, supported, and connected to their families whenever possible. By providing early, targeted services, we are working to prevent family separation and promote long-term stability and well-being.
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) is a landmark federal law passed in 2018 that transforms the way child welfare systems support children and families. The focus of FFPSA is prevention—helping families get the support they need before a crisis happens, so children can remain safely at home whenever possible.
Key Principles of FFPSA:
- Keeping Families Together
The act shifts child welfare toward prevention by allowing federal funding to be used for services that help keep children safely with their families. - Expanding Access to Services
FFPSA supports mental health care, substance use treatment, and in-home parenting programs that are proven to help stabilize families and reduce the need for foster care. - Improving Foster Care Options
For children who do need temporary care, FFPSA ensures that foster placements are in the least restrictive, most family-like settings possible, and that residential programs meet higher standards of care.
Why It Matters:
Before FFPSA, most federal funding could only be used after a child entered foster care. Now, states and counties like San Bernardino can invest in upstream solutions—helping families earlier and reducing the trauma that can come from family separation.
By implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act, San Bernardino County is taking meaningful steps to build stronger families, protect children, and create lasting change in our community.
This interactive tool allows you to explore the density of CFS referrals in your area, providing valuable insights into where services may be most needed. You can customize your view by selecting from various layers, including CFS offices, school sites, preschool locations, WIC offices, cities, zip codes, and districts. Whether you want to examine a single layer or compare multiple layers at once, the map offers a flexible way to visualize the data.
Don’t forget to check the legend and information section for additional context as you navigate the map. Your engagement is vital in understanding and improving our community’s support systems!
Building Community Pathways
We’re excited to introduce a transformative shift in our approach to child and family support! This new model emphasizes building strong community connections and fostering nurturing environments.
By transitioning from a role of mandated reporting to that of community supporter, we encourage collaboration and empower communities to proactively assist families and children. This change focuses on enhancing protective factors, prioritizing prevention, and fostering trust and shared responsibility among community members.
Supporting Families: Resources for Community Supporters
Families come in many forms, and not all situations require formal intervention. Sometimes, what a family truly needs is support—not a report. As a mandated reporter in San Bernardino County, recognizing the difference can help protect children and empower families.
When families are connected to the right resources, it can foster resilience, promote safety, and help them stay together. Below are just a few local and regional support services you can recommend to families who may be experiencing challenges.
Community Support Resources in San Bernardino County:
- San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD)
Offers a variety of benefits and supportive services to help families in need, including CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. - Early Start – Inland Regional Center
Provides early intervention services for children ages 0–3 with developmental delays or disabilities to support success in home and community settings. - Help Me Grow Inland Empire
Connects families to developmental screening, early intervention services, and local resources to support young children’s healthy development. - Strengthening Families – First 5 San Bernardino
Promotes strong families through parenting programs, child development education, and early childhood services. - ConnectIE
Send Us Your Feedback!
- Community Based Organization (CBO) Interest Form Click Here
- Families and Youth Survey Click Here
Project Management Office Contacts:
Business Lead
Hugo Castellanos
Child Welfare Services Manager
Hugo.Castellanos@hss.sbcounty.gov
(909) 252-4655
Project Lead
Amanda Kakish
Staff Analyst II
Amanda.Kakish@hss.sbcounty.gov
(909) 252-4664
| Attachment | Information | Topic |
|---|---|---|
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Approved on September 6, 2023 | San Bernardino County CPP Final |
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Implementing the Title IV-E Prevention Program Established by the Family First Prevention Service | CA FFPSA Five Year Prevention Plan |
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Who are the Members? | Family First Prevention Services Program Members |