ACYF-CB-IM-02-07

ACF Administration for Children and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children, Youth and Families
	1. Log No.: ACYF-CB-IM-02-07	2. Issuance Date: May 29, 2002
	3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau
	4. Key Words: Education and Training Voucher Program

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO:	State Agencies operating the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)
SUBJECT:	Educational and training voucher program under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
PURPOSE:	The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to provide States with guidance on utilizing CFCIP funds for the education and training voucher program authorized on January 17, 2002.

INFORMATION:

The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 (P.L. 107-133) contained several amendments to the Social Security Act (the Act) at section 477, the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. One provision of note at section 202(b) of P.L.107-133 is that States have an additional year (until September 30, 2002) to expend FY 2000 funds allocated under the CFCIP. Amendments at sections 477 (a)(6) and (i) of the Act, add an education and training voucher program, including post-secondary training and education, to the purposes of the CFCIP. Although there was no appropriation to fund the voucher program for this year, it is requested in the President's budget for FY 2003.

States have been asking if they can begin using the Chafee funds that have already been appropriated for the provision of the educational and training vouchers and, if so, are they subject to the new requirements under section 477(i) of the Act. Yes, States may use previously appropriated Chafee funding for a CFCIP education and training voucher program. The program must be operated in accordance with the statutory requirements specified in section 477(i) of the Social Security Act. This is effective January 17, 2002, the date of the enactment of the voucher program provision.

INQUIRIES: ACF HUB Directors or Regional Administrators

Joan E. Ohl
Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth
And Families