FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215
HHS APPROVES ARIZONA CHILD WELFARE WAIVER
Initiative to Help
Youth Live in Permanent, Stable Homes
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the approval of a child welfare waiver demonstration project for the state of Arizona.
The waiver enables Arizona to use federal funds more flexibly to expedite the reunification of children in foster care with their own families. It will also help prevent recurrence of child abuse and neglect as well as help improve family well-being.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and stable home,” Secretary Leavitt said. “By providing Arizona with greater flexibility, this Administration is helping to strengthen families and offer children the care and permanency they need to become successful adults.”
The program will initially be available in three child welfare offices in Maricopa County. Following this initial phase, it may be expanded to additional areas of the state.
Under the waiver, Arizona will be able to use title IV-E foster care dollars more flexibly to develop and test innovative programs to help children return safely to their own families. Normally, title IV-E funds may be used only to pay for foster care room and board and related administrative expenses, but not services to help keep families together.
“President Bush believes states should be empowered with flexibility to develop ways to strengthen services to families in crisis,” said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., HHS assistant secretary for children and families. “This waiver will help Arizona make a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of children and families.”
Section 1130 of the Social Security Act authorizes HHS to approve up to 10 new child welfare waiver demonstration projects each year. Arizona’s project is the first to be approved this year. All demonstration projects are required to be evaluated by a third party and must be cost-neutral to the federal government.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news