Glossary: F

Family Finding

This is a service and process that child welfare agencies and providers use to help find and connect you with members of your family who could be involved in your life and build your support system.  While family finding includes a focus on finding your biological relatives, it can also include finding people you identify as important to you and care about.  Family finding can take the form of computer and other searches as well as searching a child welfare file.  Once family members are identified, a caseworker should work with you to figure out what next steps should be taken. 

"Felony Murder"

Although states define this term differently, it generally refers to a death that occurs during the commission of a dangerous felony. A person may be charged with “murder” even though that person did not actually kill or intend to kill anyone during the commission of the felony.

Family Involvement

Efforts made by juvenile justice stakeholders (attorneys, probation officers, detention staff, etc.) to involve the youth’s family in decision-making before and during juvenile justice involvement. This option considers the needs of the family to support their child, and empowers and engages families to play a meaningful role in the juvenile justice process at each stage of a youth’s involvement and at a larger policy and planning level. Family involvement initiatives recognize that the family is often the child’s primary emotional resource and that treatment and services for youth are more effective when families participate as partners and decision-makers.

Family Service Plan (FSP)

A list of goals set by a youth and his/her family to address the problems that lead to system involvement. The plan also explains how the child welfare agency will help the youth and her family achieve their goals. This plan is sometimes called a Child Permanency Plan (CPP).

Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID

A username and password used to log into U.S. Department of Education (USDE) websites and electronically sign the FAFSA. 

Fostering Independence Through Education Program

Program for young people with experience in foster care attending colleges, universities, or trade schools in Pennsylvania. The program includes a tuition and mandatory fee waiver for eligible youth and young adults and designated  staff called Points of Contact at Pennsylvania colleges and universities to help eligible students navigate college life and apply for financial assistance.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The official form that youth must use to apply for federal financial aid to pay for college.