The Federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was enacted to turn the focus of the current child welfare system toward keeping children safely with their families to avoid the trauma that results when children are placed in out-of-home care.  In Michigan, one of th eways this will be achieved is through expanding effective home visitation services for families encountering the child welfare system and to support families to prevent them from encountering the child welfare system.  Only evidence-based programs listed on the Title IV-E Clearinghouse are eligible for FFPSA funding.  Parents as Teachers, Healthy Families America, Nurse Family Partnership, and Family Spirit (listed on the FFPSA Clearinghouse as a Promising Program) are the eligible models for expansion.  Communities were chosen based on data and community needs.

The goal of this initiative is to increase the participating in home visiting to decrease the need for families to encounter the child welfare system and to support families with involvement in the child welfare system to decrease child abuse and neglect and children entering the foster care system.  The Family Spirit/FFPSA program will ensure culturally appropriate services are provided to our tribal families meeting the criteria listed above.