This website outlines how the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) to strengthen families and reduce the need for out-of-home placements. Pennsylvania’s Family First initiative emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered prevention services, prioritizing supports in mental health, substance use treatment, and in-home parenting programs. Together, these efforts reflect Pennsylvania’s commitment to creating a prevention-oriented child welfare system that helps children remain safely with their families whenever possible. This resource is valuable for professionals seeking to understand how federal policy translates into state-level practice and how Pennsylvania’s approach can inform broader child welfare reform.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania