Child Trends Comments on Improving and Strengthening the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

CommentsChild WelfareAug 25 2021

Child Trends submitted the following comments (see download to the left and below) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in response to ACF’s request for feedback on ways to improve and strengthen the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse). The Clearinghouse plays a major role in reviewing the evidence for programs that aim to prevent placement in foster care, which in turn determines federal funding eligibility.

Preventing entry into foster care can support more equitable outcomes for children and families of color. Child Trends sees opportunities for the Clearinghouse to ensure federal funding eligibility for a more robust, culturally and linguistically responsive set of prevention programs that will meet the diverse needs of children, families, and communities:

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  • Update the eligibility review process to support and expand the field of evidence-based prevention programs, especially those that support equitable outcomes for populations at higher risk of child welfare system involvement.
  • Promote equity for children of color (and especially Black and American Indian/Alaska Native youth) in the Clearinghouse’s review standards.
  • More flexibly interpret Clearinghouse evidence requirements to reflect current social science research standards, while still maintaining the rigor that ensures effective services for children and families.

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