Federal Child Welfare Legislation Flashcards
Requirements for receiving federal funding under CAPTA
- Mandatory child abuse reporting
2. Appointment of trained GAL for child
Permissible uses of CAPTA funds
- Child abuse prevention programs
- Abuse report investigations
- Case management and services
- Training
Prerequisite to receiving funding under Social Security Act Titles IVB and IVE
Comprehensive state plan with specific provisions
Uses of IVB and IVE funds
- Foster care
- Prevention and family preservation services
- Court improvement
- Adoption subsidies funded in eligible cases
What is the paramount concern under ASFA
Child’s health and safety
What does ASFA require prior to removing a child from the home
The agency must make reasonable efforts to maintain the child in the family
- Services aimed at preventing unnecessary removal - Explore alternatives to placement (consider removing the danger, not the child)
When are reasonable efforts not required under ASFA
- Aggravated circumstances
- Conviction of certain crimes
- TPR of another child
What does ASFA require with respect to case plans
Agency must establish a detailed case plan including:
- Description of child’s placement
- Schedule of services for child and family
- Independent living plan for children 16+
- Permanency plan (goal) (If not reunification, the musti include a description of the reasonable efforts made or why not needed)
Hearings and reviews required under ASFA
- Case reviews required every 6 months
- Permanency planning hearing (annual permanency hearing) at least every 12 months during foster care
- Usually requires TPR action if the child has been in foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months
- Concurrent planning permitted
Exceptions to ASFA requirements to file TPR after 15 months in foster care
- At the option of the State, the child is being cared for by a relative
- Documented compelling reason for determining that TPR would not be in the best interests of the child
- Reunification services have not been provided although reasonable efforts were required
What is MEPA-IEP
Multiethnic Placement Act/Interethnic Adoption Provisions
What does MEPA-IEP provide
- Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in foster care licensing and foster and adoptive placements
- Prohibits delay in placement
- Requires recruitment of ethnically diverse foster and adoptive placements
- Provides a private enforcement cause of action
How does MEPA-IEP affect ICWA priorities
It does not supplant ICWA priorities
What does the Chafee Act (Foster Care Independence Act) provide for
- Independent living programs for foster youth
- Optional medicaid coverage for former foster youth 18-21
- Assistance to youth who aged out of foster care
- Financial, housing, counseling, employment assistance
- education and training vouchers
What is Chafee Act (Foster Care Independence Act) funding contingent on
States providing various services to youth, foster and group homes, and case workers