Reimbursement for new peer support programs for families

    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) added new peer support programs to the Title-IV Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

    • Why it’s important: The goal is to equip states with evidence-based resources to help parents overcome addiction to strengthen families and reduce the number of children entering foster care.

    The details: ACF has determined that two new interventions meet the evidence standards to be included in the Clearinghouse. This enables states to claim federal matching funds when delivering these services.

    1. Family-Based Recovery is an intensive in-home clinical treatment to support parents of children 0-5 with addiction. It allows a parent to receive help, including weekly peer support meetings, while ensuring children develop in a safe, substance-free, and stable home with their parents.
    2. Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a facilitated peer group program, delivered by trained peer facilitators, designed to coach individuals through recovery concepts and help them respond to and recover from crises.

    The context: Family-Based Recovery and WRAP join two other programs that feature peer support already included in the Clearinghouse – Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) and Parents Anonymous.

    What’s coming:

    • ACF released pre-reviewed model language to assist states in amending their Title IV-E five-year prevention program plans to add these services.
    • ACF issued a public call for additional recommendations for peer support programs that can be reviewed for future inclusion in the Clearinghouse.

    Read more: HHS Announces New Peer Support Prevention Services to Strengthen Families, Advancing the Great American Recovery & A Home for Every Child Initiatives