ACYF-PI-94-12

ACF Administration for Children and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children, Youth and Families
	1. Log No.: ACYF-PI- 94-12	2. Issuance Date: June 27, 1994
	3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau
	4. Key Word: Court Improvement Program: State Court Assessment and Implementation of Reforms

PROGRAM INSTRUCTION

TO: Highest State Courts of Appeal

SUBJECT: The Court Improvement Program; Funding For State Courts to Assess and Improve Handling of Proceedings Relating to Foster Care and Adoption; Instructions for Applying for fiscal years (FY) 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 Funds

LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES: Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act; Subchapter C, Part I of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA) (P.L. 103-66); 45 CFR Parts 16, 30, 74, 76, 80, 91, 92, 93, 1355, 1356, and 1357; and OMB Circular A-128

PURPOSE: The purposes of this Program Instruction (PI) are to:

Introduce the new State Court Improvement Program and describe its background and purpose (sections A-C);
Outline the programmatic and fiscal provisions and reporting requirements of the program (sections D-G);
Specify the application submittal, review and approval procedures for the program (sections H-J); and
Identify technical resources for use by State courts during the course of the program (section K.)

INTRODUCTION:

The State Court Improvement Program is part of OBRA of 1993, which, among other things, provides new Federal funds to State child welfare agencies and tribes for preventive services (family support) and services to families at risk or in crisis (family preservation). In addition to providing funds for expanding services, the legislation offers States and tribes an opportunity to assess and make changes in the delivery of child welfare services, broadly defined. The purpose of these changes is to achieve improved well-being for vulnerable children and their families.

Please see Attachment E for a fact sheet describing the Family Preservation and Support Services Program.

Congress clearly recognized that this focus on family support and family preservation must be coupled with an enhancement of the State court process in order to improve the handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption. The legislation authorizes $5 million in fiscal year 1995 and $10 million in fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998 for grants to State court systems for use in assessing how these systems currently function and to provide funds for making improvements. During the first year of the four-year Court Improvement Program Federal funds must be used to conduct assessments of State foster care and adoption laws and judicial processes and to develop a plan for system improvement. During the remaining three years the courts will be expected to implement improvements according to the plan.
BACKGROUND:

The courts play an important role in the child welfare system by providing judicial decision-making and oversight of some services provided under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act. Specifically, the court makes decisions concerning the existence of maltreatment, the placement of children in State custody, and court determinations that reasonable efforts have been made to prevent removal of children from their homes. The court holds periodic hearings to determine the appropriateness of the placement and the goals for a child in care; terminates parental rights; and finalizes adoptions.

Since 1980, with the passage of The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272), the responsibilities of the juvenile and family courts have sharply increased, due in part to the judicial oversight functions imposed by the legislation. This has resulted in different problems in different States, but common problems include: high judicial caseloads; insufficient training in child welfare issues for judges, Court Appointed Special Advocates, guardians ad litem, and attorneys; shortage of staff; and delays in making the determinations required by the legislation.

The Court Improvement Program provides State courts with the opportunity to collaborate with the other organizations and individuals responsible for promoting and protecting the well-being of children and families (for example: State child welfare agencies, Court Appointed Special Advocates, guardians ad litem, citizen reviewers, and attorneys) to review laws and procedures designed to provide rights and protection to parents, families, and children. It provides State courts with the flexibility to design assessment tools which identify ineffective laws or procedures and barriers to effective decision-making, highlight practices which are not fully successful, examine areas found to be in need of correction or added attention, and then implement reforms which address the State court system's specific needs. The Court Improvement Program is intended to help State courts perform their role in the continuum of care provided for families and children at risk. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) supports and strongly encourages State courts to coordinate and collaborate with other interested parties, programs and resources in the design of new systems.

State child welfare agencies must consult and collaborate broadly in the development of their State child welfare/family preservation and support plans. The ACF has strongly encouraged States to involve courts in that process. Similarly, State courts are strongly encouraged to collaborate with the State child welfare agency in administering the Court Improvement Program. Such collaboration will help ensure consistency between the courts' plans for improvement and the family preservation and support plans, developed by the State child welfare agencies. It is hoped that these grants will provide an opportunity for State courts to develop a vision, along with the other participants, of how the future child welfare system can be made more responsive to the needs of children and families.
SUBMITTALS:

To be eligible for Federal funds through the Court Improvement Program, a State court must submit an application meeting the requirements of this Program Instruction. Applications will be accepted as early as August 8, 1994 and the final date for receipt of applications is December 1, 1994 to receive FY 1995 funds.

A State court may request an extension of the due date up to March 30, 1995 for submittal of an application, with good reason, from the appropriate Regional Administrator (see Attachment D.) If a State court chooses not to apply for FY 1995 funds at this time, applications for FY 1996 funds will be accepted up to December 1, 1995. Only those State courts with approved applications for either FY 1995 or FY 1996 funds are eligible for FY 1997 and 1998 funds.
ELIGIBILITY:

The highest State court in each State which participates in the program under title IV-E of the Social Security Act is eligible to apply for Court Improvement Program funds. The term "highest State court" means the judicial tribunal which is the ultimate court of appeals in the State.

At present, all 50 States and the District of Columbia participate in the title IV-E program. Thus, the highest State court in all 50 States and the District of Columbia is eligible to apply for the Court Improvement Program funds.

Although only the highest State court is eligible to apply for and receive Federal funds through the Court Improvement Program, the highest State court may choose to enter into an agreement with another entity, such as a university or non-profit organization, for the purposes of complying with the requirements of the Court Improvement Program, especially regarding the assessment portion of the program. The ultimate responsibility for implementing the grant will rest with the highest State court.
FUNDING:

Only those State courts with approved applications will receive FY 1995 Federal funds under the Court Improvement Program. To receive FYs 1996- 1998 funds, a State court with an approved application will be required to submit annual refunding applications as requested. Funds awarded through this grant program may not be used to supplant other State or local funds which are already being used for similar purposes as of January 1, 1994.
1. Appropriation Each State court with an approved application is allotted $75,000 for FY 1995, and $85,000 for FYs 1996-1998. In addition to this base amount, the remainder of the amount appropriated for all State courts ($5,000,000 for FY 1995 and $10,000,000 for FYs 1996-1998) is divided among those courts with approved applications according to each State's share of children under age 21.
2. Allotments Attachment A provides the estimated allotments for FYs 1995-1998 for each State court. At the time that appropriations are made for each fiscal year, an updated State court allotment table will be issued (probably in October or November.) If some State courts do not apply for part or all of their share of these funds, the unclaimed amount will be reallotted to all other State courts with approved applications.
3. Program Expenditure Period State courts will have two years from the date of award to expend (obligate and liquidate) each Federal fiscal year's funds. With the award of subsequent Federal fiscal year's funds with two-year program periods, overlapping program expenditure periods will occur.
4. Indirect Costs If a State court wishes to receive reimbursement for indirect costs within its allotment as a part of its grant, it must have an approved indirect cost rate with the cognizant Federal agency. The cognizant Federal agency is that Federal agency which provides the most funds to the State court. If a State court has not been assigned a cognizant agency, it should work with the Federal agency from which it receives the largest amount of funds to negotiate and receive approval of indirect cost proposals. Where the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the cognizant agency, the Divisions of Cost Allocation in the Regional Administrative Support Centers are available to negotiate indirect cost rates. See Attachment D for the relevant Regional Offices. State courts which have not yet established indirect cost rates for Federal grants may include provisional indirect cost rates in their initial grant applications, pending establishment of an official rate.
5. Matching Requirement For FY 1995 funds, no non-Federal match is required. Non-Federal share (or match) is required for FYs 1996-1998 funds at the rate of 25 percent of the total budget. For example, for a project totalling $100,000, a State court must contribute $25,000 for $75,000 of Federal funds requested. Funds which are eligible to be used as non-Federal share for the subsequent years must meet the regulatory requirements of 45 CFR Part 92 which establishes the rules for cost sharing or matching funds. State courts should consult the regulations directly for a full and accurate understanding of the matching requirements. Relevant sections of these regulations will be provided to State courts accompanying the grant awards. However, to restate in brief the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92, funds eligible to be used as non-Federal share, among other things:
  1. must not be Federal grant funds, unless specifically allowed by Federal statute;
  2. must not be used to match any other Federal grant;
  3. must be used for costs which are otherwise allowable. The non- Federal share, whatever its nature, must be used for assessments or the implementation of improvements described in this Program Instruction;
  4. may originate with a third party, public or non-public; and Additionally, third party non-Federal share must be cash and may not be in- kind contributions of services, equipment, or property.

ACTIVITIES: The first year of the Court Improvement Program should be dedicated to assessment activities. The remaining three years should focus on implementing improvements consistent with the findings of the assessment. Assessments must be completed within two years of the grant award. Based on the completed assessment, the State court will be required to prepare recommendations for improvements in the court system and an implementation plan with tasks and timelines. A State court may update its plan for improvement at any time during the operation of the program. The implementation plan for improvement must be submitted with the first annual program report. Please refer to section G(2) below for further information on reporting requirements.

State courts should work in collaboration with the State child welfare agency, the citizen review board, community attorneys, Court Appointed Special Advocates, guardians ad litem, and attorneys who represent agencies to implement all activities of the Court Improvement Program, unless the court presents compelling reasons why such collaboration would be impossible or inadvisable. This collaboration is critical because these entities share responsibility with the judiciary for providing care, representation, and protection for children removed from their homes. See Attachment F for a complete listing of State Child Welfare Administrators.

State courts receiving funds through the Court Improvement Program must, at a minimum:

Conduct assessments of the role, responsibilities, and effectiveness of the State court system in carrying out State laws implementing titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act. For example, the assessments should examine the effectiveness, timeliness, and quality of proceedings which determine: whether to assume court jurisdiction over children; whether to utilize foster care placement; whether to terminate parental rights; whether the goal for a child in foster care should be independent living; and whether to finalize an adoption or other permanent placement. In addition, assessments should examine the effectiveness of State courts in carrying out related responsibilities for the protection of children under other Federal legislation, such as the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. These assessments shall, at a minimum:

Identify rules, standards, and criteria imposed under State laws (including laws implementing titles IV-B and IV-E, laws relating to dependency, child abuse and neglect, and any other laws on related matters) designed to achieve safe, timely and permanent placements for abused and neglected children. Those laws would include laws applicable to judicial decisions concerning the placement of a child; determinations whether reasonable efforts have been made to keep a child in his or her home; decisions approving the continuance of foster care for a child or the child welfare agency's recommendation of reunification; termination of parental rights; and finalization of an adoption or other permanent placement.

Identify procedures and rules, imposed by law or adopted voluntarily by the court system, addressing such matters as whether a proceeding should be administrative or judicial; timetables for proceedings; legal representation for all parties; provisions concerning the admissibility of evidence and the opportunity to present witnesses; procedural safeguards for parents, guardians, and children; and general rules for conduct of the proceedings.

Evaluate the extent of conformity of the State court rules and practices with recommendations of national organizations concerned with the permanent placement of children. See Attachment E for a brief description of the organizations available to assist State courts in identifying relevant national recommendations.

Evaluate the performance of the court system in implementing the requirements described in section 1(a) and 1(b) above. In particular, this evaluation should assess:

The extent to which particular practices or procedures have been successful in facilitating compliance with the requirements described in section 1(a) and 1(b), and patterns with respect to the circumstances of and factors contributing to the failures.

The frequency and length of judicial delays.

Whether there are limitations in available court time inhibiting the presentation of evidence and the making of arguments.

The extent to which parties and attorneys actually present witnesses, introduce evidence, and make pertinent legal arguments.

The extent to which court caseload size and resource limitations affect judicial performance.

How often parents and children have legal representation and the adequacy of such representation.

The quality of treatment of all participants in the system (children, parents, foster parents, social workers, etc.)

Assess the quality and adequacy of the information available to courts in child welfare cases, including agency reports, expert testimony, and basic information about the child and family.

Assess the extent to which particular requirements imposed on State courts, as described in section 1(a) and 1(b), facilitate or impede achievement of the program goals of titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act. Generally, these program goals are designed to achieve the permanent and safe placement of children with families.

Assess the extent to which particular requirements imposed on State courts, as described in section 1(a) and 1(b), impose significant administrative burdens on the courts.

Examine the effectiveness of the relationship between the State court system and tribal court systems, where they exist; and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

While some Statewide examination of courts is critical, to maximize resources available, State courts may consider targeting a portion of their assessment and/or improvement activities geographically or according to certain issues or jurisdictions. State and local area data on the number and types of child abuse and neglect reports and foster care placements may be useful in conducting the assessments. Standard data collection and sampling techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, and surveys, should be utilized during the assessment. State courts may wish to convene a task force or advisory committee to examine the relevant child welfare proceedings. For those State courts involved in Children's Justice Act programs, the task force developed for those purposes could be included in the work outlined here as well.

Develop a plan for improving aspects of the court process which are found to be deficient. This plan shall include procedures for monitoring implementation and evaluation of improvement efforts under this grant.

Implement improvements and reforms deemed necessary as a result of the assessments or provide a detailed explanation of why improvements and reforms cannot be implemented. Improvements and reforms may include, but are not limited to the following:

changes in State law or proposals for changes in Federal law;

changes in procedures and practices of the courts or of State child welfare and foster care agencies;

additional education and/or training of court or agency personnel, including but not limited to judges, attorneys, social workers, administrators, and court appointed representatives of parents and children;

collection and dissemination of additional data or information and the establishment of links with other child welfare information systems in the State to assist with decision-making in the court

increases in personnel or resources, reductions in numbers of case reviews mandated by State law, or any other changes needed to enable the courts to effectively manage their caseloads; and

institutionalization of stronger links with child welfare agencies, tribal courts, and community programs to improve the coordination of services for children.

Collaborate to the extent practicable with State and community efforts associated with the Family Preservation and Support program, including participating in the development of the State's plan for child welfare and family preservation and support services.

Attend annual meetings convened by the ACF. For these meetings, State courts are encouraged to send a team consisting of a key juvenile/family court judge and an administrator who would be instrumental in implementing this program. Representatives from the State child welfare agency will also be invited to attend these meetings. State courts are encouraged to collaborate with the agency to prepare for and attend these meetings. The meetings will likely be held in Washington, D.C. in March, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.

FUTURE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: Both fiscal and program reports are required annually and are due 90 days after the close of each 12-month period within the two-year program period. A grant year runs 12 months from the date of issuance of the award.

Fiscal Reports

Expenditures under the Court Improvement Program are to be reported by State courts on a Standard Form 269 (SF-269), Financial Status Report. The first fiscal report for a program period will be an interim report covering the first 12 months of the program period. The final report will cover the entire 24-month period. Financial reports are to be mailed concurrently to the appropriate ACF Regional Administrator (Attachment D) and to:

Administration for Children and Families
Office of Financial Management
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447
Attention: Director, Division of Formula, Entitlement and Block Grants

Program Reports

For FYs 1995-1998, in general, the annual program report should document the prior period's activities.

Annual program reports must include:

a description of the activities conducted during the 12-month period;

a description of findings from the assessments conducted, if complete (assessments must be completed within 24 months of grant award);

a list of recommendations for improvements and reforms, if developed;

a description of any activities undertaken to implement reforms to the courts, how they relate to the assessment results, and further recommendations for improvements;

a plan for the remainder of the project period. This plan should include any remaining assessment activities and the implementation of recommendations for improvement of court systems, including strategies, timelines, and where efforts will be targeted;

a statement regarding the State court's progress in relation to its own plan for improvement. (A State court may revise its plan for improvement at any time during the operation of the program by submitting the change in writing to the appropriate ACF Regional Administrator for approval;) and

recommendations for changes in Federal laws and programs, including this Court Improvement Program, if any.

The final program report must include:

all of the information listed above; and

a statement indicating how the State court plans to continue to improve its systems after the conclusion of Federal funding.

The Program Reports are to be mailed concurrently to the appropriate ACF Regional Administrator (Attachment D) and to:

Administration on Children, Youth and Families 330 C Street, S.W.
Switzer Building, Room 2070
Washington, D.C. 20201
Attention: Director, Division of Child Welfare Children's Bureau

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: To receive its allotment, the State court must submit an application that meets the requirements of section 13712 of the OBRA of 1993 and this Program Instruction. In the preparation of this application, the State court must solicit input from both the State agency responsible for the administration of titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act and the foster care citizen review board, if any exists in the State. The application for the Court Improvement Program funds must contain the following elements:

Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, which can be found at Attachment C.

A program description addressing the following areas:

The State court must describe the methods to be used to select State courts for inclusion in the assessment. (While some Statewide examination of courts is critical, to maximize resources available, State courts may consider targeting a portion of their assessment and/or improvement activities geographically or according to certain issues or jurisdictions.)

The State court must describe the methods to be used to conduct the assessment.

The State court must specify the organization(s) and individual(s) responsible for conducting the assessment and implementing any changes or reforms, if the assessment will be conducted by a person or organization other than the court itself. The State court must describe the relevant experience of the organization(s) responsible for conducting the assessment.

The State court must specify the kinds of data to be collected. (Standard data collection and sampling techniques should be utilized during the assessment.)

The State court must certify that the State child welfare agency and the citizen review board, if any exists, have reviewed this application.

The State court must describe how the State child welfare agency and the citizen review board, if any exists, and other important parties in the system, such as guardians ad litem or Court Appointed Special Advocates, will be involved in the court assessment and improvement activities.

If the State court has already conducted an assessment which it believes meets the requirements listed here, and it is prepared to identify recommendations for improvements in the handling of proceedings relating to child welfare, the court may then propose to devote some or all of its FY 1995 grant funds to the implementation of these improvements. In this case, the court must submit, with the grant application, a report describing:

the assessment;

the manner in which that assessment meets the assessment requirements of this Program Instruction at section F above; and

the reforms which the State court intends to implement using FY 1995 funds and their relationship to the assessment conducted.

The State court must submit a completed Standard Form 424-A (see Attachment C) describing its budget for the anticipated use of FY 1995 funds and tentative budget for the remaining three years. The State court must include funds in the budget adequate to support the travel of two individuals to Washington, D.C. to attend an annual meeting of all State court improvement projects supported under the Court Improvement Program. These travel funds may be budgeted as either Federal or non-Federal share. Although a team of three is suggested in section F(5) above, the State court is only required to budget for two members of that team, due to anticipated budget constraints.

The State court must submit a timetable for conducting and completing the assessment and for the implementation of reforms planned for the duration of this four-year Court Improvement Program.

The State court must assure that:

Both fiscal and program reports will be submitted annually.

Funds provided not necessary for the assessment will be used to implement the recommendations of the assessment conducted.

Funds will be used only for the specific purposes described in section 13712 of the OBRA of 1993 and this Program Instruction.

Funds will not supplant other State or local funds used for similar purposes.

Funds will be administered in compliance with Departmental regulations and policies governing the administration of grants and in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations listed under "Legal and Related References" on page 1 of this Program Instruction.

The State court will match at least 25 percent (33% of the Federal share) of the total budget for each of the FYs 1996-1998.

OPTIONAL: The State court will accept and match at least 33% percent of any additional Federal funds which may become available in FYs 1996-1998.

The State court authorizing official must submit the following certifications, by signing the first and submitting the two remaining certifications. The signature of the authorized State court official on the Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance constitutes compliance with the drug-free workplace and the debarment certifications.

Anti-Lobbying and Disclosure Form;

Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; and

Debarment Certification.

APPLICATION SUBMITTAL:

Applications for FY 1995 and succeeding years will be reviewed and approved in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Regional Offices. The Regional Office staff are available for consultation and assistance in the development of these applications.

This program is not covered by the requirements of Executive Order 12372, which requires State review of submissions.

An original and one copy of the application must be submitted by the State court to the appropriate ACF Regional Administrator (Attachment D). A copy should also be sent to:

Administration on Children, Youth and Families 330 C Street, S.W.
Switzer Building, Room 2070
Washington, D.C. 20201
Attention: Carol W. Williams, Associate Commissioner Children's Bureau

Early submission of applications will expedite the review, approval and funding of the applications. As soon as the application is approved and funds are available, grants will be awarded and State courts will be allowed to obligate and expend grant funds.

Pending the appropriation of funds, State courts should prepare their applications on the basis of the estimated allotments in Attachment A. In the event that final Congressional action or other circumstances result in a State court receiving an allocated amount different from the amount in the State court's application, the amount of the grant will be automatically adjusted.

Applications will be considered if they are either:

Received on or before December 1, 1994 or by a later date approved by the Regional Administrator (this date can be no later than March 30, 1995); or

Sent on or before the closing date of December 1, 1994 (as evidenced by a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service,) and received in time for the review and award process.

APPLICATION APPROVAL AND CHANGES:

Approvals of the original applications will be issued in the form of grant award documents. If a Regional Administrator wishes additional information prior to grant award, that information may be requested by telephone or in writing. If any application appears to be unapprovable, a letter to that effect will be issued detailing the deficiencies in the application and the State court will be given 30 days to provide an approvable application. If, after the State court has been given an opportunity to amend its application and a Regional Administrator still regards the application as unapprovable, the Commissioner, ACYF, will be consulted for a final decision.

The ACYF does not intend to limit the flexibility and creativity allowable under this legislation. Therefore, if a State court wishes to make significant changes after the original application submission, the State court should submit an Application Amendment to the appropriate Regional Administrator, ACF.

RESOURCES FOR STATE COURTS:

Several organizations have offered to make technical assistance available to all State courts during the development of their applications.

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) will convene an orientation meeting August 22-23, 1994 in Washington, D.C. The purpose is to orient State courts to this new Court Improvement Program, clarify its purposes and intent, and answer questions regarding this Program Instruction. For this meeting, State courts are encouraged to send a team consisting of a key juvenile/family court judge and an administrator who would be instrumental in implementing this program. Representatives from the State child welfare agency will also be invited to attend this meeting. State courts are encouraged to collaborate with the agency to prepare for and attend the meeting. Unfortunately, Federal funds are available to support the travel of only one representative from each State to this conference. Therefore, attendance of more that one member of the full team at this conference is not mandatory and must be supported by sources other than ACYF.

For resources regarding various methods of assessment, State courts may contact the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges-National Center for Juvenile Justice, the National Center for State Courts, and the American Bar Association- Center on Children and the Law, for a variety of assessment tools and relevant approaches. Information on these organizations can be found at Attachment E.

For resources regarding potential areas for improvement in the courts, State courts may contact the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges-Permanency Planning Council, The National Center for State Courts, and the American Bar Association-Center on Children and the Law, for best practice materials and ongoing consultation on court improvements. Information on these organizations can be found at Attachment E.

At the end of the first year of the Court Improvement Program, a set of resource guidelines identifying best practices in court child welfare proceedings will be distributed by the above organizations to all State courts and grant recipients.

Federal funds are available to State child welfare agencies to design, build, operate and maintain a Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS). In collaboration with the State child welfare agency, the State court may participate in the design of the SACWIS. The SACWIS may support, among other things, the "(t)racking and maintenance of legal and court information, and preparation of appropriate notifications to relevant parties" and "interface with other automated information systems, including, but not limited to, accounting and licensing systems, court and juvenile justice systems, vital statistics and education, as appropriate." In collaboration with the State child welfare agency, the State court may agree to share automated information through the interface and gain access to SACWIS data which may improve decision-making in the courts. Details on the SACWIS can be found at Attachment E.

INQUIRIES:	Regional Administrators, ACF Regions I-X or Delmar Weathers Children's Bureau, ACYF Division of Child Welfare (202) 205-8671
	Olivia A. Golden Commissioner

Attachments:

Attachment A:   Estimated State Court Allotments for FY 1995-98
Attachment B:   Portions of P.L. 103-66 and Congressional Conference Reports
Attachment C:   Standard Form 424 and 424-A, and Certification Forms
Attachment D:   List of ACF Regional Administrators
Attachment E:   Resources
Attachment F:   List of State Child Welfare Administrators
Instructions for Form 424 and 424-A.