What are states spending to keep kids out of foster care?

Entering the foster care system poses emotional and educational hurdles for children. Meanwhile, operating foster care programs can cost states significant money. In 2018, Congress passed the Family First Prevention Services Act, which uses federal dollars to help fund state-level intervention programs that are not already covered by the federal government.

This database contains information for each program for which states have sought reimbursement from the federal government through the Family First Act. Where possible, data was provided directly from state public information officers. For those that did not respond, data was obtained through publicly accessible state spending plans shared online. Not all states participate in the reimbursement program, and not all states had readily available spending information. Data may be incomplete.