For decades, the U.S. child welfare system has primarily operated in reactive mode, intervening only after harm occurs, often through out-of-home placements. The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), enacted in 2018, marked a turning point in this reactive approach. It redirected federal priorities toward prevention, empowering states to invest in services that strengthen families before a crisis demands removal.
Topics: Multisystemic Therapy, Evidence-Based Practices, evidence-based, Implementation, Agencies & Admin, Funding
The demands placed on child welfare system professionals are unlike those in most other fields. Day after day, they step into complex family dynamics, respond to crises, and carry heavy emotional weights.
As expectations rise and caseloads grow, too many child welfare social workers find themselves stretched past capacity. Morale drops. Staff mental health suffers, and they leave the profession or look for other opportunities.
Topics: Multisystemic Therapy, Evidence-Based Practices, evidence-based, Implementation, Fidelity, Agencies & Admin
