Empowering Families: C.A.S.E.’s Appeal to the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

In the realm of child welfare policy, the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse stands as a beacon of evidence-based decision-making and support within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established under the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018, this specialized entity plays a pivotal role in evaluating programs aimed at preventing children from entering foster care. By rigorously assessing and rating prevention services, the Clearinghouse ensures that federal resources are directed towards initiatives with proven effectiveness, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in child welfare policy.

Purpose and Scope

At its core, the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse conducts thorough reviews of prevention programs to determine their adherence to evidence-based practices. By providing clear, evidence-informed guidance to states, tribes, and territories, the Clearinghouse facilitates informed decisions on resource allocation, enhancing efforts to prevent foster care placements and support family stability.

Functionality

Through systematic reviews and a structured rating system, Clearinghouse categorizes programs based on the strength of their evidence, making findings publicly accessible.
This approach not only supports stakeholders in selecting and implementing effective strategies but also fosters continuous improvement in child welfare practices nationwide.

Impact and Implementation

By advocating for the adoption of evidence-based prevention services, the Clearinghouse contributes to improved outcomes for children and families across the United States. Its guidance informs policy decisions at federal and state levels, emphasizing prevention over intervention and promoting the well-being of vulnerable children.

In summary, the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse represents a cornerstone in the evolution of child welfare policy, driving systemic change through evidence-based practices and fostering collaboration among stakeholders committed to supporting families and safeguarding children.

In previous years C.A.S.E has submitted the Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) to be reviewed in the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. C.A.S.E. called attention to the Clearinghouse to the critical need for adoption-competent mental health services, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of traditional therapies that often exacerbate the trauma and attachment issues faced by adoptive and foster children.

With providing compelling evidence that indicates a severe shortage of adoption-competent mental health professionals across the country, C.A.S.E. asserts that TAC meets all criteria for review under the Families First Prevention Services Act and the Clearinghouse’s guidelines. C.A.S.E. achieved accreditation for its Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) program from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), extending through November 20, 2025. This accreditation places TAC among a select group of certificate programs committed to upholding public protection and excellence in practice. TAC is now recognized as an assessment-based certificate program, distinguishing it as the sole accredited adoption competency training program nationwide.

In 2019, TAC underwent evaluation by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), renowned for its stringent review standards in identifying effective programs. TAC received a scientific rating of (3) Promising Research Evidence within the Child Welfare Workforce Development and Support Programs topic area, accompanied by a high Child Welfare Relevance rating. Among 17 programs assessed in this topic area, TAC is one of only two programs to receive a (3) rating for Promising Research Evidence, surpassing all others in this category.

C.A.S.E. still urges the Clearinghouse to prioritize the review of TAC, emphasizing that evidence-based practices alone are insufficient without adoption-specific competencies. We call for immediate action to support the building of an adoption-competent workforce and ensure that vulnerable children and families in the child welfare system have access to the quality mental health services they urgently need.