New Report From The Redlich Horwitz Foundation: New York Should Use Family First Act As “Tailwind” for Curbing Congregate Care
New York’s state government was one of the few to openly oppose the Family First Prevention Services Act, a sweeping new federal law rewriting rules for funding the child welfare system. Among other provisions, the law cuts off funding after two weeks to the least preferential form of placement, known as congregate care or residential care, unless such facilities meet more rigorous quality standards.
But a major child welfare philanthropy in the state is arguing that the law provides “the tailwind needed” to improve New York’s foster care system, with an eye on placing more foster youth in the homes of relatives and improving support for all foster families.
The Redlich Horwitz Foundation, a New York-focused foundation, published a report this week with recommendations on how New York can downsize its use of congregate care placements in favor of more home-based placements. The grant maker laid out a slate of recommendations for the state, including limiting the allowable use of group settings and helping private providers change their business models.
“With some of the highest residential placement rates in the country, New York State and its counties must be proactive … by improving policies and practices to recruit and strengthen foster and kinship families and evaluate its current use of residential care,” the report said...