The title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) is a formula grant that helps States, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations and Tribal Consortia (hereafter “Tribes”) who opt to provide guardianship assistance payments for the care of children by relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of eligible children for whom they previously cared as foster parents. Unlike title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, the title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program is an optional program for title IV-E agencies. The program is authorized by title IV-E of the Social Security Act, and funding is contingent upon an approved title IV-E plan to administer or supervise the administration of the program. For those States and Tribes that opt to participate in the program, federal assistance may be used only to support the care of children discharged from foster care to legal guardianship who meet the eligibility requirements specified in the statute. Funds may also be used to support siblings of eligible children in certain situations as specified in the statute. In general, beneficiaries are children who have been eligible for title IV-E Foster Care maintenance payments during at least a six consecutive month period during which the child resided in the home of the prospective relative guardian who was licensed or approved as meeting the licensure requirements as a foster family home. In addition, the State or Tribal agency must determine 1) that return home or adoption are not appropriate permanency options for the child; 2) the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the prospective relative guardian; 3) the relative guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child; and 4) for children who have attained the age of 14, the child has been consulted regarding the kinship guardianship arrangement. Beneficiaries may also be siblings of eligible children placed in the same kinship guardianship arrangement. Federal assistance is available to States and Tribes for payments made to a relative guardian in accordance with a kinship guardianship agreement that is in writing, negotiated and is binding. The fifty (50) States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Tribes with approved title IV-E plans are eligible to participate in the Guardianship Assistance Program awards. As of January 2025, 56 Title IV-E Agencies have approved Title IV-E plan amendments that enable them to make claims for federal support of eligible guardianship assistance. Child Welfare Policy Manual — includes questions and answers regarding the Guardianship Assistance Program.Program Instructions 10-01: This Program Instruction (PI) provides instruction on the Title IV-E Plan Amendment — Guardianship Assistance Program; Title IV-E Guardianship Demonstration Projects; Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.Program Instructions 10-11: This Program Instruction (PI) provides instruction on the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351). Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to remind title IV-E agencies that for all adoption assistance agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2024, eligibility for title IV-E adoption assistance must be determined using the “applicable child” eligibility criteria described in section 473(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

This Information Memorandum (IM) informs title IV-E agencies that for adoption assistance agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2017, eligibility for title IV-E adoption assistance must be determined using the “applicable child” eligibility criteria described in section 473(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

Since federal fiscal year (FFY) 2010, the title IV-E Adoption Assistance program has provided expanded eligibility provisions for any child who meets the criteria for an “applicable child” as defined in section 473(e) of the Social Security Act (the Act). Use of the applicable-child eligibility provisions (section 473(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act) tends to result in more children being determined as eligible for title IV-E since it delinks eligibility for the title IV-E Adoption Assistance program from the requirements of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, among other changes. (See Program Instruction [PI] ACYF-CB-PI-09-10, dated August 26, 2009, for more details on the applicable-child eligibility criteria.) The increased eligibility allows states to receive additional federal funding for adoption, thereby allowing them to reduce the level of nonfederal funds they use for these services. The reduction in nonfederal spending is referred to as “adoption savings.” Federal law (section 473(a)(8) of the Act) requires title IV-E agencies to spend an amount equal to any savings they achieve as a result of applying the differing program eligibility criteria to applicable children for other child welfare service activities permitted under titles IV-B or IV-E of the Act. The amount of adoption savings is calculated based on the title IV-E Adoption Assistance program claims made on behalf of those children who, absent the applicable-child eligibility criteria, would not have been determined eligible for title IV-E Adoption Assistance. The savings are generally equal to the federal share of these claims since, in most instances, that amount would otherwise have been paid from nonfederal title IV-E agency funds. A portion of the expenditures of adoption savings funds must be used for specified services. To implement the adoption savings requirements, the Children’s Bureau (CB) issued PIs providing detailed guidance on the calculation, expenditure, and reporting of adoption savings and developed a new annual reporting form (CB-496 Part 4) to collect the information. See PIs ACYF-CB-PI-15-06 and ACYF-CB-PI-21-08 for details on these instructions. Title IV-E agencies—as of FFY 2015—are required to calculate and report annually their adoption savings, the methodology used to calculate the savings, how savings are spent, and on what services. In calculating adoption savings, title IV-E agencies must use a methodology specified by CB or may propose an alternative for approval. The methodology developed and issued by CB is referred to as “the CB Method.” This method can be applied either to a sample of cases or to the full universe of cases if the agency was able to access actual figures for needed information without conducting a special review. The statute also requires that the annual adoption savings information reported by state and tribal title IV-E agencies be posted on the CB website. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

Since federal fiscal year (FFY) 2010, the title IV-E Adoption Assistance program has provided expanded eligibility provisions for any child who meets the criteria for an “applicable child” as defined in section 473(e) of the Social Security Act (the Act). Use of the applicable-child eligibility provisions (section 473(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act) tends to result in more children being determined as eligible for title IV-E since it delinks eligibility for the title IV-E Adoption Assistance program from the requirements of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, among other changes. (See Program Instruction [PI] ACYF-CB-PI-09-10, dated August 26, 2009, for more details on the applicable-child eligibility criteria.) The increased eligibility allows states to receive additional federal funding for adoption, thereby allowing them to reduce the level of nonfederal funds they use for these services. The reduction in nonfederal spending is referred to as “adoption savings.” Federal law (section 473(a)(8) of the Act) requires title IV-E agencies to spend an amount equal to any savings they achieve as a result of applying the differing program eligibility criteria to applicable children for other child welfare service activities permitted under titles IV-B or IV-E of the Act. The amount of adoption savings is calculated based on the title IV-E Adoption Assistance program claims made on behalf of those children who, absent the applicable-child eligibility criteria, would not have been determined eligible for title IV-E Adoption Assistance. The savings are generally equal to the federal share of these claims since, in most instances, that amount would otherwise have been paid from nonfederal title IV-E agency funds. A portion of the expenditures of adoption savings funds must be used for specified services. To implement the adoption savings requirements, the Children’s Bureau (CB) issued PIs providing detailed guidance on the calculation, expenditure, and reporting of adoption savings and developed a new annual reporting form (CB-496 Part 4) to collect the information. See PIs ACYF-CB-PI-15-06 and ACYF-CB-PI-21-08 for details on these instructions. Title IV-E agencies—as of FFY 2015—are required to calculate and report annually their adoption savings, the methodology used to calculate the savings, how savings are spent, and on what services. In calculating adoption savings, title IV-E agencies must use a methodology specified by CB or may propose an alternative for approval. The methodology developed and issued by CB is referred to as “the CB Method.” This method can be applied either to a sample of cases or to the full universe of cases if the agency was able to access actual figures for needed information without conducting a special review. The statute also requires that the annual adoption savings information reported by state and tribal title IV-E agencies be posted on the CB website. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

This Information Memorandum (IM) announces an amendment to Title IV-E Adoption Assistance for Children who are Voluntarily Relinquished to Private, Nonprofit Agencies (Amends Policy on Children who are Voluntarily Relinquished to a Private, Nonprofit Agency set forth in ACYF-CB-PA-01-01). Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

The Foster Care Program helps states and participating territories and Tribes to provide safe and stable out-of- home care for eligible children and youth until they are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families or legal guardians, or placed in other planned arrangements for permanency. It also provides funding for allowable pre-placement administrative activities for eligible children determined to be at imminent risk of removal who, absent effective provision of preventive services, would be placed in foster care. The program is annually appropriated and funding is awarded as an open-ended entitlement grant. The Title IV-E agency must submit quarterly reports of estimated and actual program expenditures. Funding is contingent upon an approved title IV-E plan to administer or supervise the administration of the program. The program operates in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Tribes with approved title IV-E plans. Title IV-E agencies may elect to offer foster care to eligible young people up to the age of 21. Participating young people must be completing secondary education, attending post-secondary education, working at least 80 hours per month, participating in certain pre-employment activities, or have a medical condition that prevents them from participating in education or work activities. The following states been approved to operate a foster care program serving young people over age 18: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawai’i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. For maintenance payments, the Foster Care Program provides federal matching funds at the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which ranges from 50 to 83 percent, depending on the state's or Tribe’s per capita income. Matching funds are provided based on the expenditures made on behalf of children determined eligible for the program who are placed in a family foster home or child care institution (CCI) that meets applicable licensure and safety related requirements. As amended by the Family First Prevention Services Act, the law authorizes up to 12 months of foster care payments for a child placed with a parent residing in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse. The law also places time limits on the ability to claim foster care maintenance payments for children placed in certain CCI’s. Administrative costs are matched at 50 percent and include costs such as eligibility determinations, case management for children in foster care, development and operation of automated information systems, and independent legal representation. There is a 75 percent match for allowable training for title IV-E agency employees, persons preparing for employment by the title IV-E agency, foster parents, private child welfare agency staff providing services to children receiving title IV-E assistance, child abuse and neglect court personnel, guardians ad litem, court appointed special advocates, and attorneys for an agency, child, or the child’s parent. In addition, $3 million annually is reserved for technical assistance and plan development/ implementation grants to eligible Tribes. FY 2022: $5,830,000,000 Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

This Information Memorandum (IM) provides title IV-E adoption assistance and use of title XX social services block grant funds for post-adoption services and title IV-E funds for training. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program provides grants to States and Indian tribes for programs directed toward the goal of keeping families together. They include preventive intervention so that, if possible, children will not have to be removed from their homes. If this is not possible, children are placed in foster care and reunification services are available to encourage the return of children who have been removed from their families. Services are available to children and their families without regard to income. These funds are a small but integral part of State social service systems for families who need assistance in order to stay together. These funds, often combined with State and local government, as well as private funds, are directed to accomplish the following purposes: States can use a portion of their funds (no more than their 2005 expenditure level) for foster care maintenance payments, adoption assistance and day care related to employment or training for employment. States must limit expenditures for administrative costs 10 percent or less of their expenditures under this program. Each state receives a base amount of $70,000. Additional funds are distributed in proportion to the state's population of children under age 21 multiplied by the complement of the state's average per capita income. The state match requirement is 25 percent. Funding is approximately $282,000,000 for FY 2008. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program provides grants to States and Indian tribes for programs directed toward the goal of keeping families together. They include preventive intervention so that, if possible, children will not have to be removed from their homes. If this is not possible, children are placed in foster care and reunification services are available to encourage the return of children who have been removed from their families. Services are available to children and their families without regard to income. These funds are a small but integral part of State social service systems for families who need assistance in order to stay together. These funds, often combined with State and local government, as well as private funds, are directed to accomplish the following purposes: States can use a portion of their funds (no more than their 2005 expenditure level) for foster care maintenance payments, adoption assistance and day care related to employment or training for employment. States must limit expenditures for administrative costs 10 percent or less of their expenditures under this program. Each state receives a base amount of $70,000. Additional funds are distributed in proportion to the state's population of children under age 21 multiplied by the complement of the state's average per capita income. The state match requirement is 25 percent. Funding is approximately $282,000,000 for FY 2008. Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.