Title IV-E Prevention Program

The Title IV-E Prevention Program provides funding for time-limited prevention services, including mental health, substance abuse, and in-home parent skill-based programs for children or youth who are candidates for foster care, pregnant or parenting

The purpose of the Title IV-E Prevention Program is to provide optional title IV-E funding for time-limited (one year) prevention services for mental health, substance use, and in-home parenting skill-based programs for candidates for foster care, pregnant/parenting foster youth, and the parent/kin caregivers of those children and youth. Services are to be provided to children and families without regard to children's eligibility for title IV-E foster care maintenance payments.

State and Tribal agencies directly administering approved Title IV-E Plans may participate in the prevention services program. State and tribal title IV-E agencies electing to provide the Title IV-E prevention program must submit a five-year Title IV-E prevention program plan (five-year plan) that meets the statutory requirements.

Children designated as candidates for foster care and those who are pregnant/parenting in foster care along with the parents or kin caregivers of these children.

No credentials or documentation required. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

The state or tribal Title IV-E agency may claim for Federal Financial Participation (FFP) at a reimbursement rate of 50% of the costs of operating a prevention services program. For state Title IV-E agencies, funds may be used only for prevention services or programs that ACF determines are operated in accordance with promising, supported, or well-supported practices that meet the applicable criteria specified for the practices in section 471(e)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act (Act). At least 50 percent must be spent each federal fiscal year (FFY) for the provision of services or programs that are provided in accordance with well-supported practices. Program services provided on behalf of an eligible child are limited to a one-year period. Tribal Title IV-E agencies may determine the practice criteria for family services and programs that are adapted to the culture and context of the tribal communities served. Tribal Title IV-E agencies are not subject to the requirement for states that at least 50 percent of the amounts expended for the Title IV-E prevention program must be for programs and services that meet the well-supported practice criteria.

Federal financial participation is available to a state or tribe operating under an approved title IV-E plan.

Applications are made in the form of a five-year plan incorporated into the Title IV-E plan, prepared in the format provided by the ACF Children's Bureau (CB). Title IV-E plans and amendments are submitted to the ACF Regional Office Child Welfare Program Manager for approval. See ACF Program Instruction ACYF-CB-PI-24-07 for more information on the requirements for state title IV-E agencies.

These are formula awards for eligible agencies with approved title IV-E plans.

Funding is awarded in accordance with approved quarterly estimates and claims submitted on a federal financial report (Form CB-496) from each recipient agency. Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds.

The Administration for Children and Families will approve or disapprove applications within 45 days of receipt.

A Title IV-E agency must be approved to administer a Title IV-E Prevention Services program through submission of a five-year Title IV-E prevention plan with respect to each five-year period for which the plan component is in operation.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.