FY 2026 Guardianship Assistance Block Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children, Youth and Families awarded a $3.757 million block grant to the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, under the Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (CFDA 93.090). This grant provides federal financial participation to support guardianship assistance payments to relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of eligible children transitioning from foster care. The program removes financial barriers to permanency by enabling Wisconsin to offer subsidized guardianship payments that facilitate stable, legally recognized family placements for children who cannot be reunited with their parents.

Under this award, Wisconsin DCF administers the program by processing guardianship assistance applications, determining child eligibility, and distributing ongoing financial support to relative guardians. The department maintains comprehensive financial and programmatic records, submits quarterly expenditure estimates, and complies with applicable federal regulations under 45 CFR Part 75 (transitioning to 2 CFR Part 200 effective October 1, 2025). Quarterly awards are distributed based on estimated expenditures with adjustments for actual allowable claimed costs, supporting the state's broader child welfare infrastructure and permanency outcomes.