Southwest Montana News

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has announced the approval of its Family First Prevention Plan by the federal Children’s Bureau. This makes Montana the 19th state to have its plan approved.

The five-year initiative aims to enhance prevention services, keeping children safely at home with their families. When foster care is necessary, it seeks to place children in settings that are least restrictive and most family-like. The plan is a result of over three years of collaboration between Child and Family Services Division staff and stakeholders to implement the Family First Prevention Services Act in Montana.

“Our goal is to continue to modernize the child welfare system and enhance prevention services to strengthen families and prevent abuse and neglect,” said DPHHS Director Adam Meier. “All children deserve the opportunity to grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing families. This plan represents meaningful steps towards better aligning federal child welfare policy with this critical vision for Montana’s children and families.”

The Family First Prevention Services Act allows states like Montana to use federal funds for prevention services aimed at keeping children out of foster care. Previously, these funds were only available once a child entered the system. The act enables states to receive 50% federal reimbursement for evidence-based services that prevent removals from homes.

This legislation authorizes new optional Title IV-E funding for time-limited prevention services such as mental health support, substance use treatment, and in-home parenting skill training. These services can be provided for children who are candidates for foster care as well as their parents or kin caregivers. In Montana, 85% of foster care children are placed in family settings, with half residing with relatives.

Additionally, the act encourages reducing placements in congregate care settings—a focus area for Montana which currently serves only 11% of its foster care population in such environments. Of these placements, nearly 40% are therapeutic group homes. “We have been successful in maintaining a low number of children in these specific settings,” Meier noted.

DPHHS has also been working on engaging families through other elements required by the plan while training staff and developing programs like Kinship Navigator Program. Since 2018, there has been a steady decline in foster care numbers by nearly 1,000 kids—from 4,033 children in October 2018 down to 3,021 as of January 31, 2022.

Montana's strategy includes employing evidence-based models for preventive services offered to families—like Parent Child Interaction Therapy designed for young children experiencing emotional or behavioral issues.

Meier expressed optimism about what lies ahead: “We’re excited about the new opportunities presented in this plan that will better serve Montana children and families.” He acknowledged staff efforts contributing significantly toward creating long-lasting improvements across communities statewide alongside various partners involved throughout planning stages including former/current fosters youth/families/child welfare providers/tribal governments/local lawmakers/state officials/community partners alike."