Nebraska Implements Family First Prevention Services Act

On October 1, 2019, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) began implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), having submitted its five-year implementation plan to the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on October 15, 2019. The plan includes the implementation evidence-based practice (EBP) prevention services designed to empower families at-risk of entering the child welfare system. The services include in-home, skills-based training for parents; mental health care, including family therapy; and substance use/abuse services.

To prepare for FFPSA implementation in May 2019, the DHHS Division of Children and Family Services (CFS) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for evidence-based in-home parenting skills services, substance use/abuse services, and mental health services. Because CFS sought to launch the FFPSA services in 2019, the respondents were required to show that they could immediately offer the services to families. The RFQ process will be continuous, allowing provider organizations to submit new or additional proposals as they implement new programs. CFS intends to work with the state Medicaid program and the EBP model developers to expand the use of telehealth for services.

For the RFQ for substance abuse and mental health services, DHHS received 14 applications and selected 12 vendors. The services have not yet begun due to a need for clarifications about rate structures. The selected vendors are Boys Town, Family Service of Lincoln, Good Life Counseling, Heartland Family Service, Jenda, KVC, Lutheran Family Services, Omaha Home for Boys, Omni Inventive Care, Paradigm, St. Francis Ministries, and St. Monica’s.

Additionally, St. Francis and Good Life Counseling are or will soon be providing Family Centered Treatment (FCT), which is not yet rated by the Federal Clearinghouse. Nebraska will be submitting documentation to request that FCT be reviewed and rated.