How Federal Legislation Impacts Child Welfare Service Delivery

How Federal Legislation Impacts Child Welfare Service Delivery



Series: Factsheets
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway
Year Published: 2009


This factsheet provides an overview of the process by which legislative actions and policy changes at the Federal level impact State and Tribal child welfare systems and service delivery. Links to pertinent resources are provided for each step of the process. The steps in the process described in this document do not always occur in the same sequence listed here.


Step 5: The Children's Bureau monitors State child welfare services through data collection and onsite reviews to ensure that programs achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

The Children's Bureau has responsibility for assessing States' conformity with certain Federal requirements for child protection, foster care, adoption, family preservation and family support, and independent living services. As part of this process, the Children's Bureau administers Federal and State reporting systems that provide data to monitor and improve child welfare outcomes. The data collection systems include:

The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS)—This system collects case-level information on all children in foster care for whom State child welfare agencies have responsibility for placement, care, or supervision, and on children who are placed for adoption under the auspices of the State's public child welfare agency. Each State is subject to an AFCARS Assessment Review to assess and evaluate the accuracy and reliability of its adoption and foster care data.
The Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)—SACWIS refers to a statewide comprehensive case management system that also automates the collection of federally mandated child welfare data and provides support for the delivery and management of child welfare services. The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 authorized Federal financial participation (FFP) for the development of such a State system. If a State elects to implement a SACWIS, it is expected to be a comprehensive automated case management tool that supports social workers' foster care and adoption assistance case management practice.
The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS)—This national data collection and analysis system was created in response to the requirements of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The data collected serves as the basis for annual Child Maltreatment Reports.
The Children's Bureau also administers a system of onsite, case review assessments to determine each State's conformity with the requirements in titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act (SSA). The system comprises two review components: (1) Child and Family Services Reviews and (2) title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews:

The Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs)—Designed to help States improve safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for children and families who receive services through the child welfare system, these reviews monitor States' conformity with the requirements of title IV-B and title IV-E of the Social Security Act.
Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews—Reviews of the Federal Title IV-E Foster Care Program focus on determining whether children in foster care meet the statutory eligibility requirements for foster care maintenance payments.
For more information:

Federal and State Reporting Systems
Children's Bureau
Information about Federal and State reporting systems that provide data to monitor and improve child welfare outcomes, including AFCARS, NCANDS, and SACWIS.
Child Welfare Monitoring
Children's Bureau
An index of information, guides, instruments, and other resources on Children's Bureau monitoring programs.
Legislation and Policy Related to the CFSRs
Children's Bureau
Includes the Child Welfare Final Rule, Adoption and Safe Families Act, policy issuances, and national standards.
Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review Guide
Children's Bureau
Contains suggestions and guidance on planning, conducting, and completing a foster care eligibility review, including an explanation of the title IV-E eligibility criteria against which States will be reviewed. (PDF - 637 KB)
State Guide to an AFCARS Assessment Review
Children's Bureau
Provides guidance to State child welfare program and system staff regarding the AFCARS Assessment Review process.
SACWIS Assessment Review Guide
Children's Bureau
Assists States in preparing for their onsite review and providing the Children's Bureau's Division of State Systems with background information. (PDF - 552 KB)
Next Steps

Step 6: The Children's Bureau responds to Congressional mandates to report on State performance in delivering child welfare services.