FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, January 24, 2005
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215
HHS Announces Extension of Child Welfare Waiver in Ohio
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced a five year extension of Ohio’s child welfare waiver demonstration project. The extension allows counties in Ohio to use federal foster care funds with more flexibility to strengthen services for children and families involved in the child welfare system.
“The Bush Administration is improving child welfare by providing states with more flexibility to help foster children find safe and loving families,” Secretary Thompson said. “Today’s announcement of an extension to Ohio’s ongoing child welfare demonstration project will help the state prevent any unnecessary removal of children and help children in foster care find permanent families either through reunification, placement with relatives or adoption.”
Ohio is one of four states that have child welfare waiver demonstration projects focused on providing counties with a capped amount of title IV-E foster care funds that may be used flexibly for a wide range of child welfare services. Title IV-E of the Social Security Act is the primary source of federal funds for state foster care and adoption assistance. Normally, funds provided under title IV-E are reimbursed as an open-ended entitlement, but may only be used to pay for room and board expenses of eligible children in foster care. Under Ohio’s demonstration project, these funds can be used to enhance an array of services, in addition to foster care placement, to help facilitate reunification when appropriate and to ensure safe and permanent outcomes for children.
“Children raised in safe and stable homes live happier, healthier and more productive lives,” said Dr. Wade F. Horn, HHS’ assistant secretary for children and families. “President George W. Bush is dedicated to providing greater flexibility to Ohio and other states to help more children in foster care find permanent and loving homes.”
Fourteen counties in Ohio currently receive title IV-E federal funds flexibly through the demonstration. An independent evaluation, comparing those fourteen counties with counties that did not, revealed the benefits of the flexible funding option, including:
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Enhanced use of managed care strategies that promote greater efficiency and improved focus on outcomes;
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Increased ability to provide services to populations in need;
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Increased prevention services; and
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New prevention activities targeted to areas previously identified as insufficient.
Under the approved extension, Ohio will continue this demonstration in 14 counties.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news