Cwss-2026 - child welfare social services

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded $9,755,778 to the Alabama Department of Human Resources on October 1, 2025, under the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program (CFDA 93.645), a formula grant supporting state flexibility in developing and expanding coordinated child and family services through community-based agencies.

The award funds child welfare services delivery across Alabama through September 30, 2027. The Alabama Department of Human Resources, as the state's designated lead agency for federal human services program administration, receives this funding as a direct formula allocation to support its statewide child welfare services portfolio, which includes foster care maintenance payments, case management, and adoption assistance.

Under the program structure, Alabama submitted a five-year agency plan and annual updates developed jointly with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and in consultation with public and nonprofit private agencies and community-based organizations. The plan coordinates provision of child welfare services under Title IV-B with other federal and federally assisted programs. Recipient approval of the plan occurs by September 30 of each year within sixty days of submission, with plans or updates due by June 30. Post-approval, the Division of Payment Management establishes drawdown accounts from which the recipient may access funds.

The award is classified as a formula grant and operates under 45 CFR Part 75 and related ACF regulations, including 45 CFR Parts 1355 and 1357.