Children and Families Administration October 13, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) announces the award of a single-source grant to Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, to study the characteristics, dynamics, and context of the child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) client population. Chapin Hall's application was received at ACF as an unsolicited proposal and underwent objective review on December 17, 2009, where the following criteria were applied: Objectives and Need for Assistance, Facilities and Resources, Cost, and Relevance to ACF. The Federal objective reviewers determined that the proposal evidenced a high technical quality, with well-qualified staff from respected institutions operating within a reasonable budget. Reviewers found that the proposal would add value compared to past research, through its focus on long-term child-only caseload dynamics, its use of State data, and its analysis of types of case that have not received as much attention in past research. The panel also pointed out that child- only cases are a high priority issue for ACF. The proposed project offers an updated and more detailed picture of the TANF child-only caseload, including the dynamics of client entry and exit from the caseload. It also provides a timely opportunity, in light of pending TANF reauthorization, to gather policy information about a vulnerable and important ACF client group. OPRE will administer the grant in collaboration with HHSOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Children's Bureau (CB), announces the award of a single-source expansion supplement to the Child Welfare League of America, Arlington, VA, to support the provision of intensive technical assistance to States. The Child Welfare League of America is a recipient of a cooperative agreement to administer the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology (NRC-CWDT) in order to ensure continued support to States in the development of the National Youth in Transition Database. The National Youth in Transition Database will assist States, Tribes, and courts to develop, implement and/or improve effective case management information systems, or data collection systems, and to use data to manage child welfare programs in order to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. Section 477 of the Social Security Act authorizes the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) and the Chafee Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) program. It also requires the creation of a data collection and performance measurement system. The Federal regulation at 45 CFR 1356.80 establishes the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) implementing this provision. The NYTD regulation requires States to engage in two data collection activities: the collect of information on youth and the independent living services they receive that are paid for or provided by State agencies that administer the CFCIP and ETV programs and the collection of outcome information on certain youth in foster care. States must begin collecting NYTD data on October 1, 2010 and submit the first report period data to ACF by May 15, 2011. The supplemental funding will allow the NRC-CWDT to meet the increased demand for NYTD onsite technical assistance and sponsor regional meetings without reducing requested technical assistance from courts and Tribes in the areas of data collection and exchange.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Children's Bureau (CB) announces the award of a single-source expansion supplement to the University of Oklahoma, National Resource Center for Youth Services, Tulsa, OK, to support expanded technical assistance to address emerging technical assistance needs for States and Tribes as they seek to implement legislation and changing programs dedicated to former foster youth. The grantee is the recipient of a cooperative agreement to administer the National Resource Center for Youth Development (NRCYD). The grantee has been providing technical assistance services through a cooperative agreement since September 30, 2009, pursuant to the legislative authority of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, Section 435(d), Title IV-B, subpart 2, of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 629e]. In February 2008, the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) final regulation was promulgated. NYTD requires States to begin collecting information from youth in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care every six months, beginning October 1, 2010. State representatives continue to identify implementation of NYTD as a significant challenge, particularly since it will require State agencies to remain in contact with youth who may no longer be receiving services from the agency. The implementation of NYTD over the next four years will require the NRCYD to continue to provide additional technical assistance to States to implement this regulation effectively. Additionally, many States see the implementation of NYTD as a method to engage youth and to strengthen youth involvement in services at the State and local level. This type of youth engagement work involves long-term systemic technical assistance. The expansion grant will allow the NRCYD to support these State initiatives over the long term. Another significant development affecting the provision of services to youth and young adults was the passage of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Public Law 110-351, signed into law October 7, 2008. Among other provisions, the law added a provision requiring States to develop a transition plan for all youth emancipating from foster care. The law also provides States and Tribes an option to receive Federal reimbursement under title IV-E of the Social Security Act to extend foster care to older youth until age 21. In addition, the law for the first time provides an opportunity for certain Indian Tribes to receive direct funding for independent living services and education and training vouchers under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. The supplement will allow the NRCYD to provide more intensive technical assistance and on-site consultation to States and Tribes to continue to assist them in implementing these provisions.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Children's Bureau (CB) announces the award of a single-source expansion supplement to the Tribal Law and Policy Institute, West Hollywood, CA, to provide more intensive technical assistance to Tribes. The Tribal Law and Policy Institute administers the National Resource Center for Tribes under a cooperative agreement where technical assistance is provided to Tribes to assist in building organizational capacity so that Tribes may operate their own foster care programs under title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Under the agreement, Tribal Law and Policy Institute identifies promising practices in Tribal child welfare systems, identifies and effectively implements community and culturally based strategies and resources that strengthen Tribal child and family services. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (the Act) was amended in 2008 by the addition of Sec. 479B, which allows Indian Tribes the option to apply for Federal funding to support the administration of their own foster care, adoption assistance, and guardianship assistance programs under title IV-E of the Social Security Act (SSA). The Act was also amended at Sec. 476(c)(2)(iii) to allow Indian Tribes to receive one-time development grants to be used to offset the cost of developing a title IV-E plan to carry out the requirements of Sec. 479B. Supplemental funding will support Regional Roundtables and build Tribal capacity in the following areas: 1. Development of a presentation on the Social Security Act and title IV-E provisions that provide foster care and adoption service funds. The presentation will be developed to be responsive to the cultural issues and needs of the Tribal audience. 2. Training for Tribal caseworkers on title IV-E requirements in order to continue the eligibility and funding of IV-E eligible children. Caseworkers will be made aware of the provisions of Public Law 110-351 to insure that all appropriate services are provided to children in care. 3. Assistance in the development of training for appropriate foster care recruitment, and retention so that placement of title IV-E eligible children will be made with licensed foster/kin families. Training will emphasize the linkages between for Tribal leaders, child welfare and court staff in the licensing and maintaining of title I-VE eligibility when children are placed in foster care.