Chapter
FOSTER CARE, ADOPTIONAND KINSHIP GUARDIAN ASSISTANCE: TITLE IV-E PROGRAMS
FOSTER CARE, ADOPTIONAND KINSHIP GUARDIAN ASSISTANCE: TITLE IV-E PROGRAMS
Chapter 1 CHILD WELFARE: A DETAILED OVERVIEWOF PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND FUNDINGFOR FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION ASSISTANCEAND KINSHIP GUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCEUNDER TITLE IV-E OF THE SOCIALSECURITY ACT
Why Do Children Enter Foster Care?
Title IV-E Supports Children in Foster Care, Adoption,and Kinship Guardianship
TITLE IV-E PROGRAM BASICS
Policies That Apply for All Three Program Components
Must Have an Approved Title IV-E Plan
Funds Available for Eligible Costs Incurred on Behalfof Eligible Children
Level of Federal Support Varies by Kind of Cost
Temporary FMAP Increase As Part of Fiscal Stimulus
Program and Funding Authorization is Permanentand Open-Ended
Are There Any Limits to Title IV-E Funding?
Federal Foster Care Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for Youth Age 18 or Older
Origin of the Income Standard
Title IV-E Foster Care Spending
Trend in Title IV-E Foster Care Spending by Kind of Program Cost
Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance Payments
How Are Children in Foster Care Who Are Not Eligiblefor Title IV-E Assisted?
Federal Foster Care Coverage Rate
Relationship of Income and Other Criteria to Federal Foster CareCoverage Rate
Why Are Children Determined Ineligible?
TITLE IV-E ADMINISTRATIVE SPENDINGFOR FOSTER CARE
Case Planning and Case Management
Eligibility Determination
Other Foster Care Administrative Costs
Providing Protections to Children Who Are Not TitleIV-E Eligible
Expanded Ability to Seek Title IV-E Training SupportPhased In
State Discretion in Spending Title IV-E Training Dollars
STATEWIDE AUTOMATED CHILD WELFAREINFORMATION SYSTEM (SACWIS)
TITLE IV-E ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
Federal Adoption Assistance Funding and Eligibility
Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Spending Overview
Federal Adoption Assistance Eligibility Criteria
Conditions or Factors Used by States in Determining Special Needs
Adoption Assistance Agreements
Adoption Assistance Payments
Non-recurring Adoption Expenses
Trend in Receipt of Federal Adoption Subsidy
KINSHIP GUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCE
Spending for Kinship Guardianship Assistance under Title IV-E
Required Case Plan Determinations for a Child in Foster Care WhosePermanency Plan is Kinship Guardianship
Federal Eligibility Criteria for Kinship Guardianship Assistance
APPENDIX A. TRIBAL PARTICIPATIONIN THE TITLE IV-E PROGRAM
Requirements for Direct Title IV-E Funding to Tribes
Data Collection and Reporting Requirements
Tribal Title IV-E Implementation Grants and TechnicalAssistance
APPENDIX B. AFDC INCOME STANDARD AND FEDERALFOSTER CARE COVERAGE RATE
APPENDIX C. ADDITIONAL TABLES
Chapter 2 CHILD WELFARE:STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTSUNDER THE TITLE IV‐E FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION ASSISTANCE, AND KINSHIPGUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Title IV‐E Plan Scope and Submission Requirements
Significance of Title IV‐E Plan Requirements to Federal Title IV-E Funding
Federal Oversight of Title IV‐E Plan Compliance
OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO CHILDREN’S SAFETY, PERMANENCE, AND WELL‐BEING
Prevent Entry or Reunite Children with Their Parents
Planning for and Otherwise Ensuring Safe and AppropriatePlacements
Enable Placement with Relatives and Maintain SiblingConnections
Provide Regular Oversight of a Child’s Status in Foster Careand Timely Development and Implementation of a PermanencyPlan
Ensure Timely Placement in a New Permanent Family WhenAppropriate
Ensure the Health Care and Education Needs of Childrenin Foster Care Are Addressed
Health and Education Record
Education Attendance and Stability
Help Youth Make a Successful Transition from Foster Care to Independent Adulthood
Ensure Program Coordination and Collaboration and MeetOther Administrative Requirements
Operation of a Title IV ‐ B, Subpart 1 Program
Other Administrative and Planning Procedures