The conference report drops most of the provisions on child protection contained in earlier versions of the bill--including the child protection block grant, the child and family services block grant, provisions on removal of barriers to interethnic adoption, and the adoption tax credit. The bill retains current law for Titles IV-E, IV-B, and Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) state grants and discretionary programs, Community-Based Family Resource Program grants, the Adoption Opportunities program, the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, the Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act, and the family support center grants under the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The bill does not include the optional block grant for foster care.
Note: Provisions on the removal of barriers to interethnic adoption and an adoption tax credit were included in the minimum wage increase, tax bill (H.R. 3448) passed July 31.
Title IV-E Eligibility. States are required to use the IV-A rules and requirements in effect as of June 1, 1995, under their state plans to determine eligibility for Title IV-E.
Child Welfare Information Systems. The bill extends the deadline for enhanced funding (75 percent FFP) for Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS) for one year, from October 1, 1996, to October 1, 1997. With no changes to current law for child abuse and child protection programs, there are, of course, no changes to data reporting requirements under the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS).
For-Profit Providers. The conference bill amends current law, Section 472(c)(2), to allow states to use Title IV-E dollars for for-profit providers to care for children in foster care.
Kinship Care. Adds the following new element under the Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance State Plan as follows:
Provides that the state shall consider giving preference to an adult relative over a nonrelated caregiver when determining a placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant state child protection standards.
National Random Sample Study of Child Welfare. The bill authorizes HHS to conduct a national study based on random samples of children who are at risk of child abuse or neglect or who are determined by states to have been abused or neglected, and such other research as may be necessary.
For further information, contact
NGA, (202) 624-5967
NCSL, (202) 624-8693
APHSA, (202) 682-0100