Author: Ryan Hill
DHHS Assistant Secretary for Human Services Michael Becketts gives opening remarks at a meeting on the Family First Prevention Services Act with NC Association of County DSS Directors President Donna Fayko, right.
June 14, 2018 – More than 200 community stakeholders engaged in the planning for the Family First Prevention Services Act during a meeting June 5 at N.C. State University’s McKimmon Center.
Opening remarks were given by NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Human Services Michael Becketts.
“This act is probably the largest, most significant change to child welfare services in the past 20 years,” said Becketts of the federal measure. “… This really serves to change the face of how we provide services to children and families.”
The Family First Prevention Services Act allows states to use existing federal funds in new ways to provide enhanced stability and services to prevent children from entering foster care. The act also supports the safety, permanence and well-being of children who enter foster care, and restructures how North Carolina can meet complex needs, providing opportunities to make long- and short-term improvements to child welfare.
“We have known for years that children live best in the context of families,” said Becketts. “However, we have a system set up to separate children from families and then create an environment where people have to work to get back together. We know that is not helpful and often traumatic to children and families.”
The NC Department of Health and Human Services partnered with Prevent Child Abuse NC, NC Child and the Duke Endowment for the informational session.