Foster Care Title IV-E

The Title IV-E Foster Care program helps states, Indian tribes, tribal organizations and tribal consortia (tribes) to provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children under the jurisdiction of the state or tribal child welfare agency until the c

Funds are available to states (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) and to tribes with approved Title IV-E plans. For Plan Development/Implementation Grants: Eligibility is limited to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia. The terms "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" have the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93-638, 25 U.S.C. § 450b. Also see sections 479B(a) and 476(c)(2)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act.

Children meeting eligibility criteria for the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (except up to a 12-month period for those children placed with a parent residing in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse treatment) whose removal and placement in foster care are in accordance with a voluntary placement agreement or judicial determinations to the effect that continuation in the home would be contrary to the child's welfare and that reasonable efforts were made to prevent the removal (or that such efforts were not necessary), and whose placement and care are the responsibility of the state or tribal agency administering the Title IV-E program. Any youth who left or leaves foster care due to reaching the state/tribe's maximum age.

Plan Development/Implementation Grants: Non-profit agencies must submit proof of non-profit status.

Formula funds may be used by the state or local (under state supervision) child welfare agency or by the tribal child welfare agency for Federal Financial Participation (FFP) in foster care maintenance payments on behalf of eligible children; for administrative and training costs; and for costs related to design, implement, and operate a statewide data collection system. Funds may not be used for costs of social services such as those that provide counseling or treatment to ameliorate or remedy personal problems, behaviors, or home conditions for a child, the child's family, or the child's foster family. Public Law 115-123 amended the program beginning in FY 2020, unless a state or tribe has elected a delayed effective date of up to two years (through no later than September 30, 2021) to place limitations on title IV-E foster care maintenance payments for placements that are not foster family homes. Title IV-E agencies must also develop policies and procedures to identify, document, and determine appropriate services for any child or youth in the placement, care or supervision of the title IV-E agency who is at-risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a sex trafficking victim. Plan development/implementation grants to tribes are one-time grants for projects lasting up to 24 months that are to be used to develop a plan to operate a title IV-E program for foster care, adoption assistance and kinship guardianship as specified under section 479B of Title IV-E.

Plan Development/Implementation Grants: Provided on a one-time basis generally for a 24-month project period. Method of releasing assistance: lump sum. Formula Grants: Federal financial participation is available to a state or tribe operating under an approved Title IV-E plan.

Formula Grants: Consultation is available to States and Tribes from Regional Administration for Children and Families (ACF) offices. Plan Development/Implementation Grants: Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov.

Formula Grants: Applications are made in the form of an SF-424M and Title IV-E Plan, submitted through the Online Data Collection System (OLDC) within GrantSolutions. Title IV-E plans and amendments must be reviewed by the ACF Regional Child Welfare Program Manager for approval. Plan Development/Implementation Awards: applicants may find Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and apply on https://www.grants.gov. Eligible applicants must submit applications by specified deadlines.

Technical Assistance and Development/Implementation Awards: the criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO.

Formula Grants: Quarterly awards are made on the basis of estimated expenditures that are later revised accordingly to include only actual allowable claimed expenditures. Next quarter estimates are due on July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30 each year. Final decisions and awards are made by the headquarters office. Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project.

Formula Awards: Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines. Plan Development/Implementation Awards: The deadline for applications is listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Formula Grants: ACF approves or disapproves Title IV-E plans within 45 days of receipt. Plan Development/Implementation Awards: ACF approves or disapproves within 90 to 180 days.

Formula Grants: Awards remain effective without plan renewal, but Title IV-E plans may be amended as necessary. Project Grants: If awarded, non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

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