ANNOUNCEMENT
New Policy Added to the Child Welfare Policy Manual
In addition to the updated policy guidance released on July 30, 2024, today, August 8, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is excited to share an updated policy clarification published in the Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM) to clarify the flexibility title IV-E agencies have to support relative and kin caregivers by defining them broadly when administering various aspects of title IV-E programs. Agencies may define the term “relative” broadly to include a wide range of kinship relationships (except where the title IV-E statute directly references the definition of relative under the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children program for title IV-E foster care and kinship guardianship assistance eligibility (sections 472(a)(3) and 473(d)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the Act)). ACF/CB encourages agencies to adopt a broad definition of relative and kin, for example: individuals related to a child by blood, marriage or adoption, extended family, individuals who have an emotionally significant relationship with the child, fictive kin, and relative and kin defined according to tribal custom.
Consistent with existing policy, this means that when a child in foster care is placed with a relative (as the jurisdiction defines) the title IV-E agency may be able to use federal funding to support the relative placement while the relative is getting licensed. More specifically, the title IV-E agency may claim administrative costs on behalf of an otherwise eligible child placed in an unlicensed or unapproved relative home for 12 months or the average length of time it takes the title IV-E agency to license or approve a foster family home, whichever is less. During this time, an application for licensure or approval of the relative home as a foster family home must be pending (section 472(i)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act and CWPM 8.1B, Q/A #11).
The new CWPM guidance can be found here:
Research is clear that children who live with relatives and extended family members:
- Experience more positive well-being outcomes than children in foster care placed with non-kin foster parents.
- Experience fewer behavioral problems and higher placement stability rates compared to children living with non-relatives in foster care.
- Maintain their cultural identity and relationship to their community.
For more information about these new policies, please contact the Children’s Bureau Program Manager in your region here.
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