Federal Guidance
This page contains links to statutes, regulations, and other Federal government issuances specifically related to SACWIS. The page also includes links to General information technology guidance documents published by the Federal government.
SACWIS-related guidance documents
Statutes
Public Law 103-66 - Establishes general SACWIS requirements and funding, with enhanced funding through September 30, 1996 (Federal fiscal year 1996). (PDF - 1590 KB)
Public Law 104-193 - Extended through September 30, 1997 (Federal fiscal year 1997) SACWIS enhanced funding.
474(a)(3)(C) and (D) - Sections of the Social Security Act addressing SACWIS.
Regulations
Action Transmittals
ACF-OISM-001: Issued February 24, 1995. Provided ACF's guidance and policy on all areas related to SACWIS planning, designing, development, and implementation.
ACF-OSS-05: Issued August 21, 1998. (PDF - 80 KB) Amended and supplemented previous guidance on the implementation and operation of a SACWIS. Also superceded some sections of AT-ACF-OISM-001. This guidance was issued in response to PRWORA and the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA - Public Law 105-89, enacted November 19, 1997). (ASFA - Public Law 105-89, PDF - 233 KB)
Program Instructions
ACYF-CB-PI 96-15: Issued September 16, 1996 - Informed states of the extension of enhanced funding through Federal fiscal year 1997, and provided guidance on claiming holdback and other types of payments made after September 30, 1997.(PDF - 13 KB).
ACYF-CB-PI-98-02: Issued January 8, 1998. Among other things, the program instruction provided early notification of the impact of the new law on State Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS).
ACYF-CB-PI-01-05: Issued April 16, 2001. Cost Allocation Policies for Operational SACWIS Systems. This announcement is a comprehensive overview of existing cost allocation requirements related to SACWIS operational costs.
ACYF-CB-PI-06-01: Issued February 16, 2006. Provided guidance on the availability of Federal Finance Participation (FFP) based on the status of a State's SACWIS project. The PI notes that SACWIS projects determined by ACF to be "high risk" may have operational costs reimbursed at the non-SACWIS administrative rate. (PDF - 28 KB)
ACYF-CB-PI-07-10: Issued May 24, 2007. This document updates and clarifies ACYF policies affecting Federal Child Welfare Information Systems projects, including SACWIS. (PDF - 699 KB)
Information Memoranda
ACYF-CB-IM-07-03: Issued May 8, 2007. This document provides States with information regarding the use of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). (PDF - 165 KB)
ACYF-CB-IM-07-06: Issued September 6, 2007. This document provides States with information regarding appropriate referrals, requests for location services, child support applications, and electronic interface between child welfare and child support enforcement agencies. (PDF - 933 KB)
Feasibility, Alternatives, And Cost / Benefit Analysis Guide
OISM-ACF-IM-93-4: Issued October 6, 1993. This Information Memorandum transmits a revised Feasibility, Alternatives, and Cost/Benefit Analysis Guide, which is designed to assist States in meeting the requirements of 45 CFR Part 95, Subpart F. (PDF - 11 KB)
CBA Companion Guide for Child Welfare - Chapter 1 (PDF - 56 KB)
CBA Companion Guide for Child Welfare - Chapter 2 (PDF - 255 KB)
CBA Companion Guide for Child Welfare - Chapter 3 (PDF - 50 KB)
General information technology guidance documents
Regulations
45 CFR 95 - Subpart F--Automatic Data Processing Equipment and Services--Conditions for Federal Financial Participation (FFP)
45 CFR 74 - Part 74--Uniform Administrative Requirements For Awards And Subawards To Institutions Of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Nonprofit Organizations, And Commercial Organizations; And Certain Grants And Agreements With States, Local Governments And Indian Tribal Governments
45 CFR 92 - Part 92--Uniform Administrative Requirements For Grants And Cooperative Agreements To State And Local Governments
Action Transmittals
ACF-AT 92-05: Issued January 16, 1992. Contract terms for ensuring contractor performance - Contract terms for ensuring contractor performance. ACF is providing guidance on States' use of contract terms to ensure that State systems developed for programs covered under 45 CFR Part 95, Subpart F meet the Federal requirement for maximum practical open and free competition and that these systems are procured in the most cost effective way. (PDF - 11 KB)
ACF-AT 93-03: Issued January 3, 1993. State responsibilities - Responsibilities States must carry out regarding information technology projects and services and equipment acquisitions. (PDF - 27 KB)
ACF-AT 94-05: Issued July 22, 1994. Implements short term changes in policy. (PDF - 27 KB)
ACF-AT-OSSP-00-01: Issued March 13, 2000. HHS procedures for considering approval of Federal financial participation when a jurisdiction failed to obtain prior approval per 45 CFR 95 Subpart F for ADP services and equipment acquisitions.
Information Memoranda
INF 89-01: Issued December 1, 1989. HHS' position regarding the provision of Federal matching funds for the costs of Automatic Data Processing (ADP) equipment and services in cases where a state did not receive the required HHS prior written approval before entering into a contract or agreement or making any other commitment for acquisition of ADP equipment or services.
ACYF-CB-IM 93-01: Issued October 1, 1992. Security Guidelines - While the revised rules at 45 CFR Part 95, subpart E, published on July 31, 1996, eliminated the requirement for the reporting of state system biennial reviews to HHS, this IM contains important information with regard to state systems security which states may find useful. (PDF - 56 KB)
OISM-ACF-IM-93-4: Issued October 6, 1993. Feasibility, Alternatives, and Cost Benefit Guide - This Information Memorandum transmits a revised Feasibility, Alternatives, and Cost/Benefit Analysis Guide, which is designed to assist States in meeting the requirements of 45 CFR Part 95, Subpart F. (PDF - 11 KB)
ACYF-CB-IM-04-07: Issued July 2, 2004. The Cost Allocation Methodologies Toolkit's purpose is to model a simple, consistent, and objective cost allocation methodology for multi-program system projects. (PDF - 17 KB)
-
ACYF-CB-IM-05-02: Issued May 3, 2005. Federal/State Information Technology Policy: Optional checklist for states and territories to use in requesting an exemption of prior approval for Information Technology acquisition documents. (PDF - 11 KB)
ACYF-CB-IM-05-04: Issued May 3, 2005. Federal/State Information Technology Policy: Relationship of Master Contracts for Acquisition of State Information Technology Products or Services and Competition. (PDF - 12 KB)
Other Documents
The State Systems APD Guide: September 1996 - This guide will provide states with guidance regarding the various types of Advance Planning Documents (Initial, Annual and As Needed Planning Advance Planning Documents and Implementation Advance Planning Documents) and their content, as well as contracting documents. (PDF - 288 KB) or (Word - 315 KB)
OMB Circular A-87 - Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments: Revised May 10, 2004. An interagency task force was established to review existing cost principles for Federal awards to State and local governments. The task force studied Inspector General reports and recommendations, solicited suggestions for changes to the Circular from State and local governments, and compared for consistency the provisions of other Office of Management and Budget cost principles covering nonprofit organizations and universities. Proposed revisions reflecting the results of those efforts were published on October 12, 1988 (53 FR 40352) and August 19, 1993 (58 FR 44212). The extensive comments received on these proposed revisions, discussions with interested groups, and other related developments were considered in developing this final revision.
HHS Entitlement Grant Programs Now Under 45 CFR Part 92: Issued December 1, 2004. The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to states concerning the Federal Register notice dated September 8, 2003 that brought HHS entitlement grant programs under 45 CFR Part 92. (PDF - 19 KB)
