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1994.10.04 :  Family Preservation & Family Support Program 

Contact:  Michael Kharfen     (202) 401-9215
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1994

      FAMILIES, CHILDREN TO GET MORE HELP THROUGH NEW PROGRAM 

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala announced today the publication
of a proposed rule to implement the Family Preservation and Family
Support program.

     "The Family Preservation and Family Support program
demonstrates the Clinton administration's commitment to help
families," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children and
families.  "This important program will help keep more of America's
children safe, promote family strength and stability, and provide
services to increase a family's ability to stay together and reduce
the need for out-of-home placement of children."

     Federal funds are available to states and eligible Indian
tribes for preventive services (family support) and services to
families at risk or in crisis (family preservation).  

     Family support services are primarily community-based
     preventive activities designed to alleviate stress and increase
     the ability of families to successfully nurture their children. 
     A range of activities for children, youth and families may be
     provided in center-based, school-based or home-based programs,
     including home visiting. 

     Family preservation services are services designed to help
     families alleviate crises that might lead to out-of-home
     placement of children; maintain the safety of children (and 
     other family members) in their own homes; support families
     preparing to reunite or adopt; and help families obtain other
     needed services and supports.  Activities may be intensive,
     short-term intervention services or follow-up parenting and
     other services.

     To receive funding in fiscal year 1995, states and eligible
Indian tribes are required to submit a five-year plan developed
jointly by the state or Indian tribe and the Administration for
Children and Families.  The states and tribes will undertake broad
consultation with public and nonprofit private agencies and
community-based organizations with experience in administering
programs of services for children and families, including family
support and family preservation activities.

     "Given the statutory requirements for planning, consultation
and coordination, this is an extraordinary opportunity to move
toward a comprehensive, family-focused service delivery system that
stresses flexibility, accessibility, coordination of services, and
respect for cultural and community strengths," said Olivia Golden,
commissioner, ACF's Administration for Children, Youth, and
Families.  "States and Indian tribes will be reviewing their current
strategies for meeting the needs of children and their families,
identifying service gaps and barriers to coordination of services, 
and making changes in their service delivery systems.  It provides
an added incentive to link child and family services to other
service delivery systems, such as health, substance abuse,
education, housing and the courts." 

     States and Indian tribes received FY 1994 funds for planning
and consultative activities leading to the development of the
comprehensive five-year plan.  The proposed rule requires the five-
year plans to include goals, measurable objectives, and a
description of the services that will be provided to meet the goals,
including the target groups and the geographic areas where the
services will be provided.  The plans may be submitted at any time
after the completion of the planning process, but no later than 
June 30, 1995.  

     Funding for Family Preservation and Family Support is $1
billion over a five-year period.  For fiscal year 1995, the
authorized funding level is $150 million.  Of this amount, $6
million is reserved for federal evaluation, research, and training
and technical assistance; $1.5 million is reserved for grants to
Indian tribes.  A new program of grants to state courts will be
initiated at a funding level of $5 million.  The balance ($137.5
million) is available to states for family preservation and family
support services.

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