December 17, 2019
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
U.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
U.S. Capitol Building, Room S-224
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Minority Leader
United States House of Representatives
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
As the nation’s governors, we know that our states’ futures depend on the health and safety of our children. Last year’s passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA; Public Law 115-123) included significant reforms to help keep children safely with their families and ensure children are placed in the most appropriate settings when foster care is needed.
To that end, governors appreciate the inclusion of the Family First Transition Act (H.R. 4980/S. 2777) in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865). This bipartisan legislation provides states, territories and tribes critical fiscal and programmatic supports to advance FFPSA and strengthen services for children and families in our communities. The Family First Transition Act grants states needed flexibility on FFPSA’s evidence-based standards and provides increased financial resources to aid states to ensure proper implementation of FFPSA. By providing all states one-time funding to help implement FFPSA, we can continue to build on our ongoing reforms to ensure a smoother transition.
In addition, the Family First Transition Act provides needed stability for those states whose child welfare demonstration projects ended in October, by ensuring those states will not face financial shortfalls in their transition to FFPSA. This guarantee is crucial for ensuring that impacted states can continue to best meet the needs of their children and families.
We urge swift passage of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 and look forward to continued engagement as FFPSA implementation progresses. Governors stand ready to work with Congress to ensure the safety and well-being of our nation’s children and families.
Sincerely,
Governor Larry Hogan, Chair
Governor Andrew Cuomo, Vice Chair
