South Dakota Family First Prevention Planning

The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which shifts funding towards enhancing prevention related to child welfare, marks a transformative change in child welfare, moving from reactive tactics to proactive methods. FFPSA was passed in February 2018 and allows for federal reimbursement for mental health services, substance use treatment, and in-home parenting skill training to keep children from entering foster care. It also supports the use of evidence-based practices to promote the well-being of children, youth, and families.

South Dakota is in the process of developing a statewide Prevention Plan through strong collaboration with community partners and stakeholders.

Why is Family First important to South Dakota?
The Family First Prevention Services Act promises substantial improvements in the long-term well-being of children and their families within our state. By targeting the underlying issues, the FFPSA strengthens family stability and fosters a supportive atmosphere for children's healthy development and prosperity. This pivotal shift lays the groundwork for enhanced outcomes and brighter futures for children and families.

Plan Development

A teaming structure has been developed including a Core Team, Prevention Team, and Fiscal Team. While each team has specific focus areas, they all work together towards the ultimate goal of developing a plan to focus on evidence-based prevention techniques in child welfare. This five-year Prevention Plan will be submitted to federal partners for approval.

Prevention Team

The Prevention Plan will include information on how South Dakota will use evidence-based practices to help prevent child abuse and neglect, how the state will coordinate with other agencies to provide prevention services, and how the state will evaluate the effectiveness of prevention services.

Members of the Prevention Team represent a broad range of important focus areas which are key to help inform planning. Data and information is shared at each meeting and decisions are made throughout the planning process.

Current evidence-based programs on the Title IV-E Child Welfare Clearinghouse.

Next Steps

The goal for the statewide Prevention Plan to be submitted for federal approval in 2024 and implementation planning will begin.

If you have information to contribute towards the development of the plan, please call 605.773.3227 for more information.

Federal guidance from The Administration for Children and Families related to Title IV-E Prevention Program.