Summary of State Proposals For
New Child Welfare Demonstration Projects
Authorized by Section 1130 of the Social Security Act
and
Opportunity for Public Comment
SUMMARY: This notice lists new proposals for child welfare waiver demonstration projects submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the guidance contained in Information Memorandum ACYF-CB-IM-03-06 dated November 24, 2003.
COMMENTS: We will accept written comments on these proposals, but will not provide written responses to comments. We will neither approve nor disapprove any new proposal for at least 30 days after the date of this notice to allow time to receive and consider comments. Direct comments as indicated below.
ADDRESSES: For specific information or questions on the content of a project or requests for copies of a proposal, contact the State contact person listed for that project.
Comments on a proposal should be addressed to:
Gail E. Collins
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Children's Bureau
330 C Street, SW, Room 2058-B
Washington, D.C. 20447
FAX: (202) 205-8221
BACKGROUND: Section 1130 of the Social Security Act (the Act) authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to approve as many as ten States per year to conduct demonstration projects involving the waiver of certain requirements of titles IV-B and IV-E of the Act (the portions of the Act governing child welfare services, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program, foster care, adoption assistance, and the Chafee Foster Care Independence program). The projects are intended to test new approaches to the delivery and financing of child welfare services.
The child welfare waiver demonstration projects provide States with greater flexibility to use title IV-B and title IV-E foster care funds for services that can facilitate improved safety, permanency and well-being for children. All projects must be cost-neutral to the Federal government and are required to include a rigorous evaluation conducted by an independent evaluator. Since 1996, 17 States have implemented 25 child welfare waiver demonstration project components through 20 title IV-E waiver agreements. (Some States have multiple waiver agreements, and some waiver agreements have multiple components.) Summaries of these projects may be viewed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/initiatives/cwwaiver.htm.
On November 24, 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services issued Information Memorandum ACYF-CB-IM-03-06 inviting States to submit proposals for new demonstration projects. (A copy of the IM may be viewed at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws/im/im0306.htm.) This issuance outlined policies and procedures the Department has developed to guide the consideration of new proposals, including requirements for public notice. The Department recognizes that individuals and groups who may be affected by a demonstration project have a legitimate interest in learning about proposed projects and must have an opportunity to provide input into the decision-making process prior to the time a proposal is approved by the Department. Therefore, the Department requires that the States submitting proposals must notify the public of the proposed demonstration and must provide an opportunity for public comment.
In addition to State public notice requirements, the Department announced that a brief summary of all proposals would be posted on the ACF website both to provide an additional opportunity for public comment and to allow State officials and other interested parties an opportunity to assess the nature and extent of competition for new child welfare demonstration projects. This notice has been prepared in accordance with that commitment.
SUMMARY OF NEW PROPOSALS:
In response to Information Memorandum ACYF-CB-IM-03-06, the Department has received proposals for new child welfare waiver demonstration projects from 12 States. The proposals are summarized below. Several additional States have also expressed interest in a new child welfare waiver demonstration project, but have not yet submitted a formal proposal. Any additional proposals will be added to the summary as they are received.
Inclusion of proposed projects in this summary does not reflect the Department's intent to either approve or disapprove the projects or any parts thereof. Rather, these summaries simply reflect proposed projects, as described by the States in their written proposals. The summaries are provided to inform the public and provide an opportunity for public comment. Any comments received will be considered prior to the Department making a final decision on whether or not to approve a new demonstration.
