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Federal Guidelines
In this section find Federal guidelines and resources that explain how Federal legislation affects child welfare service delivery.
Child Welfare: The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (PDF - 205 KB)
Stoltzfus (2008)
Provides a section-by-section explanation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, an omnibus child welfare bill designed to ensure greater permanence and improve the well-being of children served by public child welfare agencies.
How Federal Legislation Impacts Child Welfare Service Delivery
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2012)
Provides an overview of the process by which legislative actions and policy changes at the Federal level affect State and Tribal child welfare systems and service delivery. (PDF - 522 KB)
Information Memoranda (IMs)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau
Defines information memoranda as a primary means for program administrations and staff offices to communicate with State agencies and grantees or potential grantees on matters such as program activities and priorities, progress reports, research findings, funds available, related regulations, and proposed and pending Federal legislation affecting human service programs. IMs may also provide States with program tools, models, and techniques that States may use for program development.
Program Instructions (PIs)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau
Explains program instructions as procedures and methods for implementing program policies. PIs add details to program regulations or policy guide requirements, and they give grantees program guidance on actions they are expected or required to take.
Child Welfare: Recently Enacted Changes in Federal Policy
Stoltzfus (2007)
View Abstract and Document
Describes child welfare provisions of seven laws in order of their enactment. The laws are the Fair Access to Foster Care Act of 2005, Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Safe and Timely Interstate Placement Act of 2006, Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006, and Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006.
Making MEPA-IEP Work: Tools for Professionals
McRoy, Mica, Freundlich, & Kroll
Child Welfare, 86(2), 2007
Explores the background of the Multiethnic Placement Act. The paper also describes the disparate outcomes for minority children in the child welfare system, and identifies agency challenges in finding permanent families for African-American children.
Title IV-E Claims and Adoption Assistance Payments (PDF - 325 KB)
Hansen (2006)
Discusses Federal legislation that was passed to provide subsidies to adoptive families to encourage the adoption of children with special needs, including Adoption Opportunities grants and the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980, also known as Title IV-E of the Social Security Act.