ACYF-IM-93-20 8-26-93

ACF Administration for Children and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children, Youth and Families
	1. Log No.: ACYF-IM-93-20	2. Issuance Date: 8/26/93
	3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau
	4. Key Word: Family Preservation and Family Support

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO: State Agencies Administering or Supervising the Administration of Titles IV-E and IV-B of the Social Security Act (The Act); Indian Tribes, and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs)

SUBJECT: New Legislation: Family Preservation and Family Support Services Legislation (the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993) and Other Changes to Titles IV-E and IV-B.

LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES: Subchapter C, Part I of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993; Titles IV-E and IV-B of the Social Security Act (The Act), as amended.

PURPOSE: This memorandum is intended to inform the States, Indian Tribes and ITOs of the passage of new legislation and to provide basic information about the new statute and requirements related to child welfare.

BACKGROUND: On August 10, 1993, the President signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 which includes a number of child welfare provisions.

Among other things, this legislation establishes a new Subpart 2 of title IV-B of the Social Security Act entitled Family Preservation and Support Services.

Attached is a copy of Subchapter C, Part I of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 which contains the child welfare amendments passed by Congress on August 6, 1993.

INFORMATION: The major child welfare provisions are as follows:

Title IV-B of the Act is amended to contain a new subpart 2 that authorizes funding for family preservation and support programs. The new subpart 2 allows for:

(1) Community-based family support programs that work with families before a crisis occurs to enhance child development and increase family stability; (2) family preservation programs that serve families in crisis or at risk of having their children placed in foster care as well as other follow- up services including family reunification; and (3) evaluation, research, training, and technical assistance in the area of family support and family preservation.

For fiscal year (FY) 1994, $60 million are authorized for the Family Preservation and Family Support Program with a 1 percent set-aside for Indian Tribes.

Grants are available in FY 1995 for State courts to assess their effectiveness in proceedings relating to foster care and adoption.

Enhanced Federal matching of 75 percent for the planning, design, development or installation of statewide automated data systems for FYs 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Permanent extension of the Independent Living Program, effective immediately.

A one year moratorium through October 1, 1994 on the collection of disallowances which result from compliance reviews conducted under title IV-E and title IV-B.

Training of agency staff and foster and adoptive parents at 75 percent Federal financial participation is reestablished effective October 1, 1993.

To ensure full and effective implementation of these provisions, States, Indian Tribes, and ITO's will require additional information. Therefore, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families will issue a Program Instruction early in fiscal year 1994 which will describe the Family Preservation and Support State Plan and application requirements. Program Instructions and/or implementing guidance for other portions of the new legislation will also be issued on an expedited timetable.

INQUIRIES TO: Regional Administrators, ACF Regions I-X
Joseph A. Mottola
Acting Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth and Families

Attachment: Subchapter C, Part I of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 Attachment not available in electronic format.