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Virginia

Demonstration Type:	Subsidized Relative Custody
Approved:	March 31, 2006
Implemented:	Expected July 1, 20081
Expected Completion Date:	Last day of the 20th quarter after implementation
Interim Evaluation Report Expected:	(Date Pending)
Final Evaluation Report Expected:	(Date Pending)

Target Population

Virginia’s demonstration, known as the Subsidized Custody Program, will target title IV-E-eligible and non-IV-E-eligible children ages 0-18 (1) who have been in continuous legal custody of the State for at least 12 months, (2) who have in continuous placement with a prospective relative custodian (i.e., guardian) for at least six months, and (3) for whom reunification and adoption are ruled out as permanency options.  Under limited circumstances, the State may make an exception to the requirement of six months in continuous placement with the prospective custodian.

Prospective legal custodians must be a relative of the child (e.g., a grandparent, uncle, aunt, older sibling, older cousin), have a significant personal relationship with the child, and demonstrate a willingness to make a long-term commitment to the child’s care.  In addition, prospective custodians must undergo a thorough home study that includes a criminal background check and a child abuse and neglect central review.

Jurisdiction

Implementation of the Subsidized Custody Program will occur in two phases.  The first phase will be implemented for up to 12 months in selected Virginia localities identified by the State prior to implementation; the second phase will expand implementation statewide.

Intervention

Virginia’s demonstration will provide a financial subsidy to relative foster caregivers who assume legal custody of children in their care.  Specific service components will include the following:

• Subsidized Custody Payment:  Relative caregivers awarded legal custody of a child will receive a monthly subsidy equal to the child’s monthly foster care maintenance payment.  This custodial subsidy will be based on a flat daily foster care rate adjusted according to any special needs (e.g., physical, dental, mental health, developmental) of the child.

• Payment for Non-Recurring Expenses: Relative custodians may receive a one-time payment to cover miscellaneous costs and legal fees associated with establishing the relative custody arrangement.

• Pre- and Post-Permanency Supports and Services:  Participating children and custodians will have access to a variety of pre- and post-permanency supports and services.  Examples include intensive short-term counseling for the child and prospective relative custodian; information about and referral to community services; crisis intervention; and payment for special services such as counseling, tutoring, or physical therapy, on a case-by-case basis.

• Education and Training Vouchers:  Children age 16 and older at the time they enter subsidized relative custody will be eligible for education and training vouchers funded through the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP). 

Evaluation Design

Virginia’s evaluation of its guardianship demonstration will include process and outcome components, as well as a cost analysis.  The State will use an experimental research design with random assignment to experimental and control groups. 

Sample Size

Children in the demonstration’s target population will be assigned to the experimental and control groups at a 1:1 ratio.  The State expects to assign approximately 60 children currently in out-of-home placement to the experimental group and 60 children to the control group.  Over the course of the demonstration, the State estimates that it will assign approximately 280 children to the experimental group and 280 children to the control group, for a total sample of approximately 560 children. 

Process Study

Virginia’s evaluation will include a process analysis that describes how demonstration services were implemented for experimental cases and how these services differed from services provided to children in the control group.  As part of this process analysis, Virginia will track several key process measures, including the following:

• The proportion of cases eligible for subsidized legal custody

• The proportion of eligible relatives who are offered subsidized legal custody

• The proportion of relatives who accept or reject subsidized legal custody

• Relatives’ reasons for accepting or declining subsidized legal custody

• For children of relatives who decline subsidized legal custody, the proportions that are adopted, reunified, or remain in foster care

• Of relatives who accept an offer of subsidized legal custody, the proportion that is awarded legal custody

• The average length of time between acceptance of an offer and establishment of subsidized legal custody

• Barriers to the establishment of subsidized legal custody

Outcome Study

Virginia’s outcome evaluation will compare the experimental and control groups for significant differences in child safety, permanency, and placement stability.  Specific outcome measures of interest include the following:

• Mean/median length of time in out-of-home placement

• Number and proportion of children who achieve permanency through adoption, transfer of legal custody to a relative, or reunification

• Number and proportion of children who age out of foster care

• Number and proportion of relative custody placements that are disrupted and the reasons for any disruptions

• Number and proportion of children with a subsequent alleged and/or substantiated maltreatment report

• Number and proportion of children who re-enter out-of-home placement

Cost Study

Virginia’s cost analysis will examine the costs of key elements of the services received by children in the experimental group and compare these costs with those of the usual services received by children in the control group.  The cost analysis will examine the use of key funding sources, including relevant Federal sources such as titles IV-A, IV-B, IV-E and XIX of the Social Security Act, as well as State and local funding sources.  In addition, the State is conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis where feasible to identify costs per successful outcome for the experimental and control groups.  This analysis may be conducted using one or more key outcome measures in which statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups are identified.

Evaluation Findings

Findings are pending implementation of Virginia’s subsidized guardianship demonstration.

¹Virginia originally planned to implement its subsidized legal custody demonstration by July 1, 2007.  Implementation has since been postponed while the State addresses changes to its State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) necessary to track demonstration participants, and determines whether State enabling legislation is required to implement the demonstration. Back

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