Title IV-E Foster Care

Title IV-E Foster Care is sponsored by Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This is a formula grant program that provides financial assistance to states and tribes for the costs of foster care for eligible children, along with associated administrative and training costs. It aims to support children in out-of-home care.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF The Title IV-E Foster Care program supports 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. The goal is to ensure children can return home safely or achieve permanency through or other planned permanent living arrangements.

The Title IV-E Foster Care program provides federal funding to assist child welfare agencies with the cost of caring for eligible children placed in foster care. Funds may be used for foster care maintenance payments, allowable administrative activities to manage the program and training for public agency staff, foster parents and eligible staff of partner agencies.

In addition, $3 million is reserved for technical assistance and plan development/implementation awards to eligible tribes. INCOME SECURITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES - NO Specialized Family and Child Welfare Services _These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending. gov_ **This listing is funded for the current fiscal year.

** **Fiscal Year 2025:** 53 states (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) and eleven tribes received awards. Plan development/implementation awards were provided to up to five tribes for program development activities. **Fiscal Year 2026:** It is anticipated that 53 states (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) and twelve tribes will receive awards.

It is anticipated that plan development/implementation awards will be provided to up to five tribes for program development activities. Plan Development/Implementation Grants: Non-profit agencies must submit proof of non-profit status. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states), Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government 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 awards: 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.

Infant and Toddler (0-3), 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.

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 awards to tribes are one-time awards 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.

The Tribe must submit a plan for the Title IV-E program within 24 months of receiving the plan development award or must repay the award funds, unless the HHS Secretary waives the requirements under section 471 to carry out a program under section 479B. There is $3 million reserved for technical assistance and plan development/implementation awards to eligible Tribes.

Deadline determined at as part of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 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. Preapplication coordination is not applicable.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E. O.

12372. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Technical Assistance and Development/Implementation Awards: the criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO.

Formula Awards: 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.

Plan development/implementation awards: 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 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: 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. Not Applicable.

Formula awards: Awards remain effective without plan renewal, but Title IV-E plans may be amended as necessary. Plan development/implementation awards: If awarded, non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award 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 applicants. For existing recipients and formula awards, appeals may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart B, General provisions Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements Subpart E, Cost Principles Subpart F, Audit Requirements The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: Additional Information: Effective October 01, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted certain provisions of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR part 200.

Effective October 01, 2025, HHS will adopt the remainder of the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR Part 200, and HHS will relocate key HHS-specific provisions from 45 CFR Part 75 to 2 CFR Part 300. Effective October 01, 2025, ACF recipients must follow the requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 and the HHS-specific provisions in 2 CFR Part 300.

**Financial Reports:**Formula awards: A report of estimated expenditures, actual expenditures, and number of children assisted (Form CB-496) is required 30 days after the end of each quarter and other reports as required by the Secretary. Plan development/implementation awards: Expenditure reports are required using the SF-425 Federal Financial Report.

The frequency of reporting will be listed in the NOFO and in the award terms and conditions. For more information, see: https://www. acf.

gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting#sf-425. , Frequency: Quarterly **Progress/Performance Reports :**Plan development/implementation awards: Performance progress reports are required using the SF-PPR ACF Performance Progress Report. The frequency of reporting will be listed in the funding opportunity announcement and in the award terms and conditions.

For more information, see: https://www. acf. gov/grants/post-award-requirements Tangible Personal Property - If requesting funds to purchase equipment, the recipient must request prior approval.

When the equipment is no longer needed, the SF-428 Tangible Personal Property—Cover Page with the SF-428 Attachment C must be submitted to the Office of Grants Management. Please see the ACF Property, Tangible Personal Property Guidance at https://www. acf.

gov/grants/manage-grant/property/tangible-property. : Performance monitoring of state agencies is conducted through the Child and Family Services Review process in accordance with 45 CFR §§1355. 31 - 1355.

37. , Frequency: Quarterly Additional audit requirements: 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F (effective on or after October 01, 2025: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F) applies to this program. , All records are to be maintained in accordance with 45 CFR 75.

361-. 365 (effective on or after 10/01/2025: 2 CFR 200. 334-.

338).

Formula Grants: States and tribes must maintain all financial and programmatic records necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the program, including records of applications, determinations of eligibility, utilization of awarded grants and other funds for the provision of financial assistance and allocated indirect and direct administrative and training costs in accordance with written guidance from the Administration for Children and Families.

Retention Period: 3 Years Statutory Formula: Title IV Chapter NA Part E Subpart NA Public Law Social Security Act, Pub. L. 74-271.

. Cost Sharing Requirement Type: Mandatory Description: The non-Federal share of program costs (difference between total cost and FFP) in each funding category constitutes the required match to be met by the Title IV-E agency. Matching funds from state agencies must be appropriated monies raised from non-Federal revenue sources.

Matching funds from tribal agencies must also be appropriated monies, but may, at the option of the tribe, include Federal funds specifically authorized by Federal statutes to be used as match for other Federal programs. Additionally, in accordance with 45 CFR §1356. 68 for administration and training costs only, tribal matching funds may include in-kind expenditures (or contributions) from allowable third-party sources.

Plan development/implementation awards: There is no matching requirement. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Number changed from 13.

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