State plans for child welfare services
Joint development
Requisite features of State plans
Each plan for child welfare services under this subpart shall—
provide that (A) the individual or agency that administers or supervises the administration of the State’s services program under division A 1
provide for coordination between the services provided for children under the plan and the services and assistance provided under division A 1 of subchapter XX, under the State program funded under part A, under the State plan approved under subpart 2 of this part, under the State plan approved under the State plan approved 2
include a description of the services and activities which the State will fund under the State program carried out pursuant to this subpart, and how the services and activities will achieve the purpose of this subpart;
contain a description of—
the steps the State will take to provide child welfare services statewide and to expand and strengthen the range of existing services and develop and implement services to improve child outcomes; and
the child welfare services staff development and training plans of the State;
provide, in the development of services for children, for utilization of the facilities and experience of voluntary agencies in accordance with State and local programs and arrangements, as authorized by the State;
provide that the agency administering or supervising the administration of the plan will furnish such reports, containing such information, and participate in such evaluations, as the Secretary may require;
provide for the diligent recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the State for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed;
provide assurances that the State—
is operating, to the satisfaction of the Secretary—
a statewide information system from which can be readily determined the status, demographic characteristics, location, and goals for the placement of every child who is (or, within the immediately preceding 12 months, has been) in foster care;
a case review system (as defined in section 675(5) of this title and in accordance with the requirements of section 675a of this title) for each child receiving foster care under the supervision of the State;
a service program designed to help children—
where safe and appropriate, return to families from which they have been removed; or
be placed for adoption, with a legal guardian, or, if adoption or legal guardianship is determined not to be appropriate for a child, in some other planned, permanent living arrangement, subject to the requirements of sections 675(5)(C) and 675a(a) of this title, which may include a residential educational program; and
a preplacement preventive services program designed to help children at risk of foster care placement remain safely with their families; and
has in effect policies and administrative and judicial procedures for children abandoned at or shortly after birth (including policies and procedures providing for legal representation of the children) which enable permanent decisions to be made expeditiously with respect to the placement of the children;
contain a description, developed after consultation with tribal organizations (as defined in section 5304 of title 25) in the State, of the specific measures taken by the State to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act [25 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.];
contain assurances that the State shall make effective use of cross-jurisdictional resources (including through contracts for the purchase of services), and shall eliminate legal barriers, to facilitate timely adoptive or permanent placements for waiting children;
contain a description of the activities that the State has undertaken for children adopted from other countries, including the provision of adoption and post-adoption services;
provide that the State shall collect and report information on children who are adopted from other countries and who enter into State custody as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or the dissolution of an adoption, including the number of children, the agencies who handled the placement or adoption, the plans for the child, and the reasons for the disruption or dissolution;
demonstrate substantial, ongoing, and meaningful collaboration with State courts in the development and implementation of the State plan under this subpart, the State plan approved under subpart 2, and the State plan approved under part E, and in the development and implementation of any program improvement plan required under section 1320a–2a of this title;
not later than
provides 3
a schedule for initial and follow-up health screenings that meet reasonable standards of medical practice;
how health needs identified through screenings will be monitored and treated, including emotional trauma associated with a child’s maltreatment and removal from home;
how medical information for children in care will be updated and appropriately shared, which may include the development and implementation of an electronic health record;
steps to ensure continuity of health care services, which may include the establishment of a medical home for every child in care;
the oversight of prescription medicines, including protocols for the appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medications;
how the State actively consults with and involves physicians or other appropriate medical or non-medical professionals in assessing the health and well-being of children in foster care and in determining appropriate medical treatment for the children;
the procedures and protocols the State has established to ensure that children in foster care placements are not inappropriately diagnosed with mental illness, other emotional or behavioral disorders, medically fragile conditions, or developmental disabilities, and placed in settings that are not foster family homes as a result of the inappropriate diagnoses; and
steps to ensure that the components of the transition plan development process required under section 675(5)(H) of this title that relate to the health care needs of children aging out of foster care, including the requirements to include options for health insurance, information about a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar document recognized under State law, and to provide the child with the option to execute such a document, are met; and
subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to reduce or limit the responsibility of the State agency responsible for administering the State plan approved under subchapter XIX to administer and provide care and services for children with respect to whom services are provided under the State plan developed pursuant to this subpart;
provide that, not later than 1 year after
identify, locate, and continue availability of services for children under State care or supervision who are displaced or adversely affected by a disaster;
respond, as appropriate, to new child welfare cases in areas adversely affected by a disaster, and provide services in those cases;
remain in communication with caseworkers and other essential child welfare personnel who are displaced because of a disaster;
preserve essential program records; and
coordinate services and share information with other States;
not later than
include a description of the activities that the State has undertaken to reduce the length of time children who have not attained 5 years of age are without a permanent family, and the activities the State undertakes to address the developmental needs of all vulnerable children under 5 years of age who receive benefits or services under this part or part E; and
document steps taken to track and prevent child maltreatment deaths by including—
a description of the steps the State is taking to compile complete and accurate information on the deaths required by Federal law to be reported by the State agency referred to in paragraph (1), including gathering relevant information on the deaths from the relevant organizations in the State including entities such as State vital statistics department, child death review teams, law enforcement agencies, offices of medical examiners, or coroners; and
a description of the steps the State is taking to develop and implement a comprehensive, statewide plan to prevent the fatalities that involves and engages relevant public and private agency partners, including those in public health, law enforcement, and the courts.
Definitions
In this subpart:
Administrative costs
Source
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 422, as added and amended Pub. L. 90–248, title II, § 240(c), (d),Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Effective Dates.—
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), subject to subsection (b), the amendments made by parts I through III of this subtitle [parts I–III (§§ 50711–50734) of subtitle A of title VII of div. E of Pub. L. 115–123, amending this section and sections 629 to 629b, 629g, 670 to 672, 674, 675, 676, 679c, and 1308 of this title] shall take effect on
Exceptions.—
The amendments made by sections 50711(d), 50731, and 50733 [amending sections 670, 671, and 676 of this title] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [
Transition Rule.—
In general.—
In the case of a State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 620 et seq., 670 et seq.] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by parts I through III of this subtitle, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [
Application to programs operated by indian tribal organizations.—
In the case of an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires time to take action necessary to comply with the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by parts I through III of this subtitle (whether the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium has a plan under section 479B of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 679c] or a cooperative agreement or contract entered into with a State), the Secretary shall provide the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium with such additional time as the Secretary determines is necessary for the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium to take the action to comply with the additional requirements before being regarded as failing to comply with the requirements.”
Effective Dates.—
In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2) and subsections (b), (c), and (d), the amendments made by this part [part IV (§§ 50741—50746) of subtitle A of title VII of div. E of Pub. L. 115–123, amending this section and sections 629h, 671, 672, 674, 675a, 676, and 679b of this title] shall take effect as if enacted on
Transition rule.—
In the case of a State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 620 et seq., 670 et seq.] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this part, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of part B or E of title IV of such Act solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet the additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [
Limitation on Federal Financial Participation for Placements That Are Not in Foster Family Homes and Related Provisions.—
In general.—
The amendments made by sections 50741(a), 50741(b), 50741(d), and 50742 [amending sections 671, 672, 674, 675a of this title] shall take effect on
State option to delay effective date for not more than 2 years.—
If a State requests a delay in the effective date, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall delay the effective date provided for in paragraph (1) with respect to the State for the amount of time requested by the State, not to exceed 2 years. If the effective date is so delayed for a period with respect to a State under the preceding sentence, then—
notwithstanding section 50734 [set out as a note above], the date that the amendments made by section 50711(c) [amending section 674 of this title] take effect with respect to the State shall be delayed for the period; and
in applying section 474(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 674(a)(6)] with respect to the State, ‘on or after the date this paragraph takes effect with respect to the State’ is deemed to be substituted for ‘after
Criminal Records Checks and Checks of Child Abuse and Neglect Registries for Adults Working in Child-care Institutions and Other Group Care Settings.—
Subject to subsection (a)(2), the amendments made by section 50745 [amending section 671 of this title] shall take effect on
Application to States With Waivers.—
In the case of a State that, on the date of enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [enacting section 675a of this title and amending this section and sections 671 and 675 of this title] shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Delay permitted if state legislation required.—
If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in order for a State plan developed pursuant to part E of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.] to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the 1st regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
In General.—
Except as otherwise provided in this title [enacting section 629m of this title, amending sections 622 to 625, 629a to 629c, 629f to 629h, 673, 675, and 679b of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 629h and 629m of this title], this title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on
Delay Permitted if State Legislation Required.—
If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in order for a State plan developed pursuant to subpart 1 of part B [42 U.S.C. 620 et seq.], or a State plan approved under subpart 2 of part B [42 U.S.C. 629 et seq.] or part E, of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this title, the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
In General.—
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the amendments made by this Act [enacting section 673c of this title, amending this section and sections 629h, 671, and 675 of this title, and repealing section 673c of this title] shall take effect on
Delay Permitted If State Legislation Required.—
If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in order for a State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by a provision of this Act, the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
In General.—
Except as otherwise provided in this Act [enacting sections 673b, 678, and 679b of this title, amending this section, sections 603, 629, 629a, 629b, 653, 671 to 673, 674, 675, 677, and 1320a–9 of this title, and sections 645 and 901 of Title 2, The Congress, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 613, 629a, 671, 673, 675, 679b, 1305, 1320a–9, 5111, and 5113 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 670 of this title], the amendments made by this Act take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [
Delay Permitted if State Legislation Required.—
In the case of a State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 620 et seq., 670 et seq.] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment; Different State Agencies for Administration of State Plans Under Parts A and B
Purpose
Findings and Purpose
Findings.—
The Congress finds that—
nearly 500,000 children are in foster care in the United States;
tens of thousands of children in foster care are waiting for adoption;
2 years and 8 months is the median length of time that children wait to be adopted;
child welfare agencies should work to eliminate racial, ethnic, and national origin discrimination and bias in adoption and foster care recruitment, selection, and placement procedures; and
active, creative, and diligent efforts are needed to recruit foster and adoptive parents of every race, ethnicity, and culture in order to facilitate the placement of children in foster and adoptive homes which will best meet each child’s needs.
Purpose.—
It is the purpose of this subpart [subpart 1 of part E of title V of Pub. L. 103–382, enacting section 5115a of this title, amending this section, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1305 of this title] to promote the best interests of children by—
decreasing the length of time that children wait to be adopted;
preventing discrimination in the placement of children on the basis of race, color, or national origin; and
facilitating the identification and recruitment of foster and adoptive families that can meet children’s needs.”
Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
provide that (A) the State agency designated pursuant to section 602(a)(3) of this title to administer or supervise the administration of the plan of the State approved under part A of this subchapter [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] will administer or supervise the administration of such plan for child welfare services, and (B) to the extent that child welfare services are furnished by the staff of the State agency or local agency administering such plan for child welfare services, the organizational unit in such State or local agency established pursuant to section 602(a)(15) of this title will be responsible for furnishing such child welfare services;”.