The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced new evidence-based interventions will be added to the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. This expansion of services builds on ACF’s ongoing efforts … Read More
Title IV-E
Investing in the Child Welfare System Through the Workforce: Lessons Learned from a Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program
Introduction The child welfare system is designed to promote child safety, well-being, and permanency. To achieve this, the child welfare workforce is responsible for making decisions across the continuum of child welfare services (Hanna et al. 2021). However, high caseloads … Read More
Family First Policy to Practice: Using Implementation Science and CQI to Advance Prevention Focused Practice
The Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) is one of the most significant pieces of child welfare legislation passed in recent history. Enacted in February 2018, it represents a fundamental shift in federal child welfare policy that, among other … Read More
Title IV-E University-Agency Partnership Stipend Programs: Building a Better Workforce
State and Tribal title IV-E agencies have access to Federal funds through title IV-E of the Social Security Act to apply toward the educational training of current and prospective child welfare professionals to support the provision of allowable title IV-E … Read More
Louisiana DCFS 2025 – 2029 Five-Year Child and Family Services Plan
Introduction, Vision & Collaboration Introduction To Department Of Children and Family Services (DCFS): The DCFS is the state agency designated in Louisiana to administer and supervise the administration of child welfare services delivered under Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services … Read More
Louisiana DCFS 2025 Annual Progress and Service Report (APSR)
INTRODUCTION: The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is the state agency designated to administer and supervise the administration of child welfare services in Louisiana. DCFS provides comprehensive social services and child welfare programs: The services are provided through … Read More
QRTP Policy Brief: Staffing the Role of the ‘Qualified Individual’
INTRODUCTION Background The Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) introduces a shift in the way states serve children and families at risk of separation and out-of-home placement. Family First gives child welfare systems the opportunity to utilize Title IV-E … Read More
Timing of Medicaid Enrollment for Children Engaged with Child Welfare Services in Two States
A large proportion of children and families who receive child welfare services are eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid enrollment provides access to health services to low-income children and adults, which is particularly important for families at risk of engagement with child … Read More
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This rule finalizes revisions to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations proposed on February 23, 2024. This final rule requires state Title IV-E agencies to collect and report to ACF additional data related to the … Read More
New Insights on State Kinship Diversion Policies
Defining Kinship Diversion Many families rely on kin — relatives and close family friends — to provide support in times of crisis or when a parent may need extra help. It is common for kin to step in to provide … Read More