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Child Welfare Services: Title IV-B, Subpart 1 of the Social Security Act

Program Description

The Child Welfare Services program provides grants to states and Indian tribes for programs directed toward the goal of keeping families together. They include preventive intervention so that, if possible, children will not have to be removed from their homes. If this is not possible, placements and permanent homes through foster care or adoption can be made. In addition, reunification services are available to encourage the return of children who have been removed from their families. Services are available to children and their families without regard to income.

These funds are a small but integral part of State social service systems for families who need assistance in order to stay together. These funds, often combined with State and local government, as well as private funds, are directed to accomplish the following purposes:

• protect and promote the welfare of all children;
• prevent the neglect, abuse or exploitation of children;
• support at-risk families through services which allow children to remain with their families or return to their families in a timely manner;
• promote the safety, permanence and well-being of children in foster care and adoptive families; and
• provide training, professional development and support to ensure a well-qualified workforce.

States can use a portion of their funds (no more than their 2005 expenditure level) for foster care maintenance payments, adoption assistance and day care related to employment or training for employment.

Budget Information

Each state receives a base amount of $70,000. Additional funds are distributed in proportion to the state's population of children under age 21 multiplied by the complement of the state's average per capita income. The state match requirement is 25 percent. Funding is $285,754,000 for FY 2007.