Dear Colleague Letter Regarding Title IV-E Prevention Plan Amendments

Dear Colleagues,

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is focused on ensuring a home for every child, with an ambitious goal of achieving a foster home-to-child ratio greater than 1:1 in every state. To achieve this goal, it is imperative that effective prevention services are leveraged whenever possible to improve child and family outcomes.

Earlier this year, ACF implemented a Fast-Track Evidence Review Procedure for FDA-Approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) to make effective prevention more accessible. Today, we are sharing a similar approach to the review of well-supported home visiting models. As you know, States and Tribes have the option to leverage federal Title IV-E prevention funding to provide in-home parent skill-based programs, including home visiting programs that have been rated as well-supported, supported, or promising by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

As part of my commitment to efficiency and cutting red tape, today ACF is releasing model language that States and Tribes can use to amend their IV-E five-year prevention program plans to add new home visiting services. The attached document provides sample program language and program requirements for well-supported home visiting models. States and Tribes may incorporate these services into existing Title IV-E five-year prevention plans through the established plan amendment process. The attached pre-reviewed language and requirements (PDF) will fast track approval for Title IV-E prevention purposes, streamlining review and facilitating more timely deployment. While not required, States and Tribes also have the option to add additional information about state/tribal specific implementation plans.

I strongly encourage States and Tribes to consider how these home visiting models can be integrated into their prevention continuums and to use this sample language to expand access to evidence-based services for families.

Thank you for your continued leadership and partnership in advancing prevention services that strengthen families and promote child and family well-being. If you have questions about home visiting models or preparing plan amendments, please reach out to the Children’s Bureau directly through ivepreventionprogram@acf.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

/s/

Ryan Hanlon
Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Administration for Children and Families
Ryan.Hanlon@acf.hhs.gov