Laws & Policies

Child Welfare Policy Manual

The Child Welfare Policy Manual conveys mandatory policies that have their basis in Federal law and/or program regulations. It also provides interpretations of Federal statutes and program regulations initiated by inquiries from State Child Welfare agencies or ACF Regional Offices.

Policy/Program Issuances

The Children's Bureau issues guidance to States on the administration of State grant programs in the following formats:

• Action Transmittals (AT) - These issuances convey program guidance information to grantees on actions they are expected or required to take.
• Information Memoranda (IM) - These issuances are used as the primary means for program administrations and staff offices to communicate with State agencies and grantees or potential grantees on a variety of matters, such as program activities and priorities, progress reports, research findings, available funds, related regulations, and proposed and pending Federal legislation affecting human service programs.
• Policy Guides and Manuals (PGM) - These issuances may be program regulation guides, grants administration manuals, and any other policy, program, or grants-related guides or manuals. They also provide comprehensive guidance to clarify, explain, and expand upon the meaning of the related program and grant administration rules and regulations.
• Program Instructions (PI) - These issuances clarify and explain procedures and methods for operationalizing program policies, add details to program regulations or policy guide requirements, and convey to grantees program guidance information on actions they are expected or required to take.
• Program Regulations (PR) - These issuances are used to transmit final regulations, interim final rules, and notices of proposed rulemaking.
• Federal Register Announcements - Notices from previous Federal Register postings discussing Child Welfare Service Grant Allotments, Final Rules, and Requests for Pubic Comments.

Federal, State, and Tribal Laws

Federal Laws

• National Youth In Transition Database Notice of Proposed RuleMaking - Published in the Federal Register: July 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 135)] - Information on the proposed regulation that will implement the data collection provisions in the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, enacted in 1999. (PDF – 270 KB)
• Compilation of Titles IV- B, IV- E and Related Sections of the Social Security Act - Draft - Social Security Act, as amended by The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-432), Effective June 20, 2007  (PDF - 236 KB)
• The Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) (PDF - 300 KB) - This booklet presents CAPTA as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 and contains the Adoption Opportunities program and Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, as amended.
• About CAPTA: A Legislative History  (PDF - 72 KB) - This document summarizes the legislative history and purpose of CAPTA, the key Federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect.
• Index of Federal Child Welfare Laws - Since 1974, many laws have been passed by the U.S. Congress that impact children and families and the agencies that serve them. A list of selected Acts is included.
• Major Federal Legislation Concerned with Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption  (PDF - 892 KB) - This report summarizes the objectives and services mandated by key federal laws regarding child protection, child welfare, and adoption.
• A Guide to The Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994
  As Amended by the Interethnic Adoption Provisions of 1996 - This manual explains the Federal laws that are intended to expedite the placement of minority children (12/1998)
• Federal Legislation - Recent acts of importance to the field.
  • The Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003  (PDF - 102 KB)
  • Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001
  • Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act of 2000  (PDF - 216 KB)
  • Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000  (PDF - 127 KB)
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act, 2000  (PDF - 189 KB)
  • Foster Care Independence Act of 1999  (PDF - 153 KB)
  • Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997  (PDF - 233 KB)
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, as Amended, 1996 (PDF - 300 KB)
  • Interethnic Adoption Provisions (IEPA) of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996
  • Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) of 1994 (PDF - 252 KB)
• Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews and Child and Family Services State Plan Reviews:
  • ACF Press Release
  • Executive Summary
  • Final Rule (PDF - 428 KB)
• Code of Federal Regulations (maintained by the Government Printing Office)
  • Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs) Part 205 General Assistance Hearings
    • 45 CFR 205.10 - Hearings
    • 45 CFR 205.50 - Safeguarding information for the financial assistance programs
  • Title 45 - Public Welfare Chapter XIII - Office of Human Development Services
    • 45 CFR 1355 - General
    • 45 CFR 1356 - Requirements Applicable to Title IV-E
    • 45 CFR 1357 - Requirements Applicable to Title IV-B
• THOMAS - Searchable database of full text Federal legislation (maintained by the Library of Congress).

State & Tribal Laws

• Summaries of State Legislation Enacted in Response to the Adoption and Safe Family Act of 1997 and other Resources (maintained by the National Conference of State Legislatures)
• State Statutes Search - Search Child Welfare Information Gateway for State statutes on issues related to child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).

Proposed Rule Making

• Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS); Proposed Rule - Published in the Federal Register: January 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 8)]
  

  Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposes numerous improvements to AFCARS data, including changes to the reporting populations, data structure, elements, compliance determination and penalty provisions. The AFCARS NPRM is a proposal at this time; therefore existing AFCARS requirements and procedures remain in effect. (PDF – 371 KB)

• National Youth In Transition Database Notice of Proposed RuleMaking Published in the Federal Register: July 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 135)]

  Information on the proposed regulation that will implement the data collection provisions in the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, enacted in 1999. (PDF – 270 KB)

• Practical Strategies for Tracking and Locating Youth: Proposed National Youth in Transition Database

  A technical assistance document to acompany the proposed rule on the National Youth In Transition Database (NYTD) published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2006 (71 FR 40346). (PDF – 378KB)

Other Related Links

• CFSP/APSR Toolkit - This toolkit is designed to create a central location for all technical assistance documents and materials, as well as references to specific laws, policies, and checklists that relate to the development of the State and Tribal Child and Family Service Plan (CFSP)/Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR).
• Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) - General information about SACWIS, including meetings and conferences and Federal guidance.
• Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) - General Information on AFCARS, which collects case level information on all children in foster care for whom State child welfare agencies have responsibility for placement, care or supervision and on children who are adopted under the auspices of the State's public child welfare agency.
• Programs and Funding - Information on Children's Bureau Discretionary Grant Programs, State and Tribal Grant Programs, Child Welfare Waivers, and general funding information.
• National Youth In Transition Database Notice of Proposed RuleMaking Published in the Federal Register: July 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 135)] -

  Information on the proposed regulation that will implement the data collection provisions in the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, enacted in 1999. (PDF – 270 KB)

• Practical Strategies for Tracking and Locating Youth: Proposed National Youth in Transition Database

  A technical assistance document to acompany the proposed rule on the National Youth In Transition Database (NYTD) published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2006 (71 FR 40346). (PDF – 378KB)

• Indian Child Welfare Act; Receipt of Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice Bureau of Indian Affairs - This notice in the Federal Register lists the Designated Tribal Agents for service of notice under the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 CFR 23.12. (PDF - 365 KB)