Child Welfare

Program Overview

The ACF Child Welfare program provides funding, assistance, and oversight to the New England States and tribes delivering services designed to protect children and strengthen families. These include child protective services (responding to reports of child abuse and neglect) family preservation and support, foster care, adoption and independent living.  The ultimate goal of these programs and services is to improve the safety, permanency, and well being of children.

To assist States in achieving positive outcomes for children and families, Regional ACF Child Welfare staff work in conjunction with the Children's Bureau in D.C. to provide technical assistance to the States and monitor State child welfare services through: Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) Reviews, and Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) Assessment Reviews.  In addition, Regional office staff review and approve various State submitted plans, reports, and funding applications. 

For detailed information about ACF Child Welfare programs and initiatives, please visit the Children’s Bureau website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/

State Child Welfare Agencies can be contacted at: