Child Welfare Policy Manual Updates!

Additions to the manual
Deletions to the manual
Modifications to the manual
Cumulative Change History of Questions & Answers

Additions to the manual:

• 7.3 TITLE IV-B, Programmatic Requirements
• 7. Must a State's standards for ensuring monthly caseworker visits as required by section 422(b)(17) of the Social Security Act (the Act) be applied to children placed in foster care outside the State? (July 14, 2008)
  
  

• 8.2A TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Agreements
• 1. Is it permissible for a State to include a statement in the title IV-E adoption assistance agreement to the effect that "The Department’s obligation to provide for Federally funded adoption assistance payments and/or services is subject to the appropriation of State funds"? (August 5, 2008)
  
  

• 8.2D.5 TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Payments, Termination
• 4. Is it permissible for a State to include a statement in the title IV-E adoption assistance agreement to the effect that "The Department’s obligation to provide for Federally funded adoption assistance payments and/or services is subject to the appropriation of State funds"? (August 5, 2008)
  
  

• 8.4F TITLE IV-E, General Title IV-E Requirements, Criminal Record and Registry Checks
• 32. Are the criminal background check requirements at section 471(a)(20)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) applicable to all international, private or independent adoptions? (April 25, 2008)
  
  

Deletions to the manual:

Modifications to the Manual:

• 7.2 TITLE IV-B, Confidentiality
• 6. Some States have enacted laws that allow open courts for juvenile protection proceedings, including child in need of protection or services hearings, termination of parental rights hearings, long-term foster care hearings and in courts where dependency petitions are heard. Questions have arisen about whether courts that are open to the public and allow a verbal exchange of confidential information meet the confidentiality requirements under title IV-B. Do the confidentiality provisions for title IV-B restrict the information that can be discussed in open court? (June 19, 2008)  Show History
  
  

• 8.4E TITLE IV-E, General Title IV-E Requirements, Confidentiality
• 7. Some States have enacted laws that allow open courts for juvenile protection proceedings, including child in need of protection or services hearings, termination of parental rights hearings, long-term foster care hearings and in courts where dependency petitions are heard. Questions have arisen about whether courts that are open to the public and allow a verbal exchange of confidential information meet the confidentiality requirements under title IV-E. Do the confidentiality provisions in title IV-E restrict the information that can be discussed in open court? (June 19, 2008)  Show History