February 28, 2019 Generations United Webinar - Improving State and Tribal Foster Family Home Licensing Standards:
Complying with the Family First Prevention Services Act’s Licensing Requirements
Webinar on how and why to comply with mandatory March 31st Family First Act licensing requirements, and the important role grandfamilies’ advocates play in that process. The webinar explores the new national model foster family home licensing standards released by the Children’s Bureau on February 4th, the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) model family foster home licensing standards on which the Children Bureau “relied heavily,” and the specific reporting requirements for states and tribes.
This is our collective chance to eliminate unnecessary licensing barriers so more relatives caring for children in foster care can become licensed and receive ongoing monthly financial assistance, supports, and pathways to exit the system with monthly assistance. These model standards address all foster family homes, so addressing unnecessary obstacles will facilitate the licensing of more non-relative foster family homes as well. Cultural considerations for tribes are explored on the webinar, as well as specialized standards for family-based treatment foster care.
National Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards, ACYF-CB-IM-19-01
On February 4, 2019, the Children’s Bureau released final National Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (National Model), as required by the Family First Prevention Services Act. The Children’s Bureau used the NARA Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (NARA Model) as the “main source” for its proposed National Model, and then accorded it “considerable deference” in deciding whether to modify the proposed National Model.
FAQ on the National Model Foster Family Home Licensing Standards
Generations United prepared 10 questions and answers concerning this new Model, the NARA Model on which it "relied heavily" and Family First Act reporting requirements (2019).
NARA Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards
Generations United, The ABA Center on Children and the Law and The Annie E. Casey Foundation, joined forces with the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) to create the first set of comprehensive Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards. Originally published in 2014, last updated in 2018.
Crosswalk Tool
Editable version of the crosswalk tool developed to allow states and tribes to compare their current foster care licensing standards with the National Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards and the NARA Model Licensing Standards. Updated 2019.
Summary of Submitted Comments on Proposed Licensing Standards
Summary of over the 1,000 submitted comments on the proposed Model National Family Foster Home Licensing Standards as required by the Family First Prevention Services Act.
Considerations for Federal Register Comments on proposed Model National Family Foster Home Licensing Standards
The proposed Model National Family Foster Home Licensing Standards are a requirement of the Family First Prevention Services Act. This resource was developed jointly by National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), Generations United & American Bar Association (ABA) Center on Children and the Law to assist those who wish to comment on these proposed standards (September 2018).
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
In Powerful Voices: Sharing Our Stories to Reform Child Welfare, in 2016, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute recommended that Congress adopt the Criminal History Records Check Standards of the Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards. See pages 5-8.
"Model Home Licensing Standards Would Facilitate Safe and Appropriate Placements"
Article in Spring 2015, Adopt Talk.
"New Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards"
Article in January/February 2015, Fostering Families Today
Improving Foster Care Licensing Standards around the United States: Using Research Findings to Effect Change
Summary and analysis of foster care licensing standards in all states and the impact of such standards on relatives seeking licensure, from Generations United, ABA Center on Children and the Law, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation (2013).