Family Preservation Program Development and Procurement
Ikaso helped a state client develop a new Family Preservation child welfare program in accordance with the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). We supported an end-to-end procurement process with providers, engaged stakeholders, and helped develop an outcomes-based framework to support the state’s goal of keeping children in their homes and families intact.
The Challenge
Outline a new service offering based on current evidence that children have better outcomes when they are able to remain safely in their homes.
The Outcome
Ikaso worked with child welfare experts to develop a framework for providers to improve outcomes for children, utilizing evidence-based tools and interventions to keep families intact by avoiding the removal of children from their homes. We also considered provider input and concerns and supported the development of a per diem rate structure to simplify and improve operations. Utilizing this structure, Ikaso successfully supported the awards and contracts with 95 providers, implemented a new statewide program catered to the state and its constituents’ needs, and realized measurable improvement in the outcomes for children and families.
Values-Centered Approach
We relied on our values of collaboration and excellence to develop an unprecedented RFI and RFP process that incorporated provider insight and state expertise to develop a best-in-class Family Preservation program focused on improving outcomes for children and families.
Highlighted Results
New services resulted in a significant reduction in removals of children from their homes, demonstrating a successful approach to preserving families.
Reached Federal goal for percent of cases experiencing no repeat maltreatment, indicating the sustainability of the program’s interventions
The per-diem rate structure that was implemented resulted in sizable annual savings as compared to the original total budget estimate
