FY 2026 guardianship assistance

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families $13.5 million on October 1, 2025, under the Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (CFDA 93.090) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The program provides Federal Financial Participation to support guardianship assistance payments to relatives who assume legal guardianship of eligible children transitioning from foster care, removing financial barriers to permanency for Wisconsin children.

The State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families administers the award statewide, distributing guardianship assistance funding through child welfare county contracts. Sub-recipients include County of Dane, Fond du Lac County, County of Wood, County of Brown, County of Eau Claire, and Jackson County Health & Human Services, each receiving pass-through funding to deliver child welfare services and guardianship assistance administration at the county level during calendar year 2025 and 2026. The program operates under Title IV-E plan requirements; states must submit amended plans in accordance with program instructions ACYF-CB-PI-10-01, ACYF-CB-PI-10-11, and IM-24-10, with ACF approval or disapproval within 45 days of receipt. Quarterly award estimates are due July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30 each year, with final awards based on actual allowable claimed expenditures. Recipients must maintain financial and programmatic records per 45 CFR Part 75 (or 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F effective October 1, 2025).