At the National Federation of Families (NFF), this year’s focus—“The Urgency of Now – Ending Isolation by Creating Effective Community Ecosystems”—reflects the belief that children, youth, and families are best supported in their home communities. Families as Allies shares that commitment, and we know that when systems move toward isolation, families often lose connection and voice in their child’s care.
That’s why NFF, Families as Allies, and others are concerned about the renewed emphasis on “congregate care,” which refers to out-of-home placements such as residential treatment centers, group homes, and psychiatric facilities that provide 24-hour supervision. While these settings are designed for intensive needs, many families have experienced them as isolating. The experience for children and youth in these settings can be disconnected from the community and more family-driven support systems.
NFF is working to develop a national report by the end of 2026 that will include solutions and a call to action grounded in what families want for their children. That work depends on hearing directly from parents, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience in congregate care—both positive and negative. These stories are critical to shaping better, more effective systems.
If you, your child, or someone you love has experienced congregate care, we encourage you to share your perspective. Your input will help inform national recommendations and strengthen efforts to ensure families remain at the center of care.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with others in your network: https://ffcm.formstack.com/forms/congregate_care
