Implementation Study of Family Preservation/Family Support (FP/FS) Programs
JBA examined the implementation of the Family Preservation and Family Support legislation (Title IV-B, subpart 2) over a six-year period in over 10 States and 20 communities. The cross-site synthesis report and two special topic papers on collaboration and consumer involvement produced as a result of this study continue to be used by state and local child welfare agencies across the country to inform future programming for services that strengthen families and reduce the risk of out-of-home placement and family disintegration. JBA's implementation study examined how states and communities chose to implement the FP/FS legislation, including: planning and decision-making processes; funding allocations; programs and services funded; collaborative arrangements; consumer involvement; and the effects of FP/FS implementation on the child welfare service delivery system, frontline staff, and families. Following the reauthorization of the program as the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program under the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), JBA's study was extended to permit an analysis of changes in implementation resulting from PSSF legislation. JBA's final report focused on the effects of the legislative changes on the program services and types of programs funded, as well as lessons learned from FP/FS and PSSF implementation.