The Family First Prevention Services Act, passed in 2018, was landmark Federal legislation that acknowledged that too many children and families were experiencing abysmal outcomes when involved with Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice. To reduce these numbers funding was made available to support Community Based Organizations and Tribes to offer Evidence Based Programs early on when families first begin to experience stress, that could (but doesn’t always) lead to abuse, or juvenile probation involvement.
Local efforts, led by CAPCC Humboldt, identified five Social Determinants of Health, which, when stressors exist, potential for abuse increases.
Over the past two and half years, Family First has shared programs that address these five areas with the 20 Community Pathway Sites. We have also included ways that the sites can refer and link their families to the programs virtually. Using technology supports a “no wrong door” philosophy. Whichever site the family feels comfortable at, is the right site.
To insure that our plan met the needs of families in Humboldt County we conducted focus groups in 2022 and 2024. The programs identified by the families in 2022 were the ones, mentioned above. In 2024, families reported satisfaction with accessing and participating in these programs.
Over the next five years, we hope to see a reduction of the number of families referred to child welfare or involved with juvenile probation, as they get their needs met, early on.