FY 2026 Guardianship Assistance Block Grant Summary

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services received a $209,109 block grant award from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) under the Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (CFDA 93.090) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award provides Federal Financial Participation (FFP) 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 Iowa DHHS to offer sustained financial support to relative guardians, facilitating stable and legally recognized family placements for children who cannot be reunited with their parents.

Iowa DHHS, as a Title IV-E approved state agency, will utilize these funds to provide direct guardianship assistance payments to eligible relative guardians and cover associated administrative costs in accordance with federal Title IV-E plan requirements. The award operates on a quarterly reimbursement basis, with actual allowable claimed expenses determining final funding allocations. Quarterly expenditure estimates are due on July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30 each fiscal year, with the Division of Payment Management establishing draw-down accounts from which the state may access awarded funds to support guardianship permanency services throughout Iowa.