East Idaho Times

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered remarks at a hearing titled “The Family First Prevention Services Act: Successes, Roadblocks, and Opportunities for Improvement.”

Crapo emphasized the significance of the child welfare system as a crucial part of the social safety net aimed at ensuring children thrive in safe, stable environments. Reflecting on the bipartisan efforts that led to the enactment of the Family First Prevention Services Act in 2018, he noted its goal of keeping families together and promoting high-quality foster care placements.

“The structural reforms in Family First allow states to direct their federal child welfare dollars to evidence-based prevention services, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment, family counseling and parent education,” Crapo stated. He highlighted that these interventions are designed to strengthen families so children can remain safely in their homes.

Crapo pointed out that when foster care becomes necessary for a child's safety, the law prioritizes placing children with family members or neighbors who can provide a loving and more stable environment. He praised recent regulatory changes by the Administration aimed at reducing bureaucratic barriers for family members seeking to become licensed foster parents.

“Today’s hearing provides an opportunity not only to celebrate the law’s success but also to reflect on areas for continued improvement,” Crapo said. He mentioned that the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse was established under Family First to ensure federal funds support proven preventive programs.

Despite bipartisan efforts to expand certified evidence-based models within the Clearinghouse, Crapo acknowledged ongoing challenges faced by states, particularly rural areas struggling with one-size-fits-all models. He urged expediting the review process to offer a variety of community-based services as part of a comprehensive continuum of care.

Crapo also addressed complex behavioral health needs among some foster youth requiring placement in settings offering more intensive services. He underscored the importance of Qualified Residential Treatment Programs established by Family First as trauma-informed options addressing clinical needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders.

“We owe it to our most vulnerable children and families to continue building on our bipartisan work,” Crapo concluded. This includes providing states with innovative intervention options supporting families, promoting kinship care, easing pathways to adoption, and ensuring safe treatment centers when necessary for a child's well-being.

“I look forward to learning more from our witnesses about opportunities to continue strengthening the child welfare system,” he added.