Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families (PA OCYF) is pleased to inform you that the Pennsylvania 5-year Prevention Plan for the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/KeepKidsSafe/Resources/Documents/Family-First-Prevention-Plan.pdf> was officially approved by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on August 15, 2023. This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance and strengthen our state's child welfare and family support systems. 

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On July 6th, 2023, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS), Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) submitted the 3rd version of Pennsylvania’s Title IV-E Prevention Services Plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), electing the option of participating in the Title IV-E Prevention Services program given by the Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First). The Prevention Services program allows states to receive federal funding for evidence-based mental health prevention and treatment, substance use prevention and treatment, and in-home parent skill-based programs that are delivered to eligible children, youth, 

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Attached, please find a recent funding announcement released by the federal Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation related to the Family First Prevention Services Act.

A summary of the funding announcement can be found below. Any questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the federal Administration for Children and Families contacts outlined in the attachment. 

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No need to respond or follow up. We are just working on the system.

Thanks,

Office of the Deputy Secretary for Children, Youth and Families
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
625 Forster Street | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: 717.787.4756 | Fax: 717.787.0414
www.dhs.pa.gov<http://www.dhs.pa.gov/> | www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov<http://www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov/> | www.secretsafe.org<http://www.secretsafe.org/>

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please call ChildLine to make a confidential report at 1-800-932-0313 

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On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, the Administration for Children and Families' approved Pennsylvania's request to delay full implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act until October 1, 2021. This delay provides an additional three months to prepare for successful implementation of the remaining provisions and reduces the Title IV-E funding loss anticipated with implementation for the current fiscal year. The decision to lessen the financial impact associated with implementation comes at a time when every level of the child welfare system faces budget uncertainties. This delay does not lessen our focus on this effort. We continue to work 

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