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Date: Friday, December 19, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Michael Kharfen  (202) 401-9215

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced approval of a demonstration project to improve child welfare services in New York State. This is the ninth waiver for states to undertake innovations in their child welfare programs approved by the Clinton administration.

"The Clinton administration is committed to ensuring every child a safe and permanent home," said Secretary Shalala. "This project will allow New York greater flexibility at the community level to intervene with families at risk early, safely and quickly.

"We are very pleased that the Adoption and Safe Families Act signed into law by President Clinton last month gives us the opportunity to offer 10 states each year creative waivers like this to give children a safer future," added Shalala.

Under this waiver, participating New York counties will receive a fixed amount of federal funds under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, and have greater flexibility in using them. Counties can design their child protection and child welfare systems in ways that best ensure the safety of children and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of child welfare services. Services may include child care, home visiting, family planning, home management, parent education, respite care, transportation, job training, educational, and other forms of assistance.

Counties that achieve savings will be able to reinvest in additional services. State officials have worked closely with New York City child welfare officials to assure that this demonstration project will support the child welfare reforms already underway there. Federal funds will be available for services which previously could be used primarily to pay for the room and board of eligible children in out-of-home care.

"As we work to achieve the President's goal of safer, permanent homes for children, it is essential that we offer states flexibility to achieve better managed services and better results for children," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "We look forward to working with New York on this innovative effort."

The demonstration will operate for five years, will be cost neutral to the federal government, and include a rigorous evaluation.