Understanding the Federal Legislation (FFPSA)

The Family First Prevention and Services Act (FFPSA) was signed into law in 2018 as part of Public Law (P.L.) 115–123, and has several provisions to enhance support services for families to help children remain at home, reduce the unnecessary use of congregate care, and build the capacity of communities to support children and families. The law enables states and territories to use funds for prevention services, such as:

• Evidence-based mental health programs
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment
• In-home parent skill-based programs
• Kinship navigator programs

We know that children and families do not fare better in foster care, yet billions of dollars are spent each year through the Social Security Act to care for children in care. By reallocating these funds to support families by providing increased prevention services and in-home services, we can keep families safely together for long-term outcomes, which as a result, also reduces costs for the community, state, and nation at large.

DCF Putting Families First 

Hear what Wisconsin DCF has to say about Putting Families First:
"Across the state, local and tribal child welfare agencies are innovating to safely keep families together. Agencies are thinking creatively about how to use their funding, working closely with their community partners and shifting their practice and mindsets. 

Here are just some of the ways we’re seeing transformation in action:

• Five fewer children are removed per day compared to the peak in removals in 2017.
• DCF invested more than $11 million in in-home support in 2023.
• Relatives and like-kin caregivers are receiving stronger and more equitable support.
  • In the first half of 2024, 41% of children entering out-of-home care were initially placed with relatives – increasing the likelihood that they would be placed with their siblings, experience more stability during their placement and ultimately achieve permanency with family.
• Child protective services professionals have logged more than 30,000 training hours through Wisconsin's workforce training program since the launch of the program in 2023.

These numbers capture only a piece of the larger transformation story and extraordinary efforts of agencies and partners. They also help us understand where and how we can do more as a system."

Putting Families First - Rock County Recipients!

Since 2024, several individuals in Rock County have received this honorable award, presented by the Secretary of DCF, for their work with the Rock Families First Movement, and their excellence in leadership and family support in our community. We are so proud to recognize the following recipients:

2026
Brontae Hibbler (Parents Supporting Parents - Parent Partner)

2025
Haleigh Thomas (Rock County Child Protective Services)


2024
LaMikka James (former Alia Community Cultivator) and the BeeHive