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November/December 2001Vol. 2, No. 6States Begin to Receive Final Reports of Child and Family Service Reviews

As the first fiscal year of the new Child and Family Service Reviews comes to a close, the final reports are beginning to be made available.

The reviews cover the range of child and family services federally funded through Titles IV-B and IV-E of the 1994 Amendments of the Social Security Act, including child protective services, foster care, adoption, independent living, and family support and preservation services. Ultimately, the goal of the reviews is to help States to improve child welfare services and to achieve the outcomes of safety, permanency, and well-being for families and children.

Following a statewide assessment process and an onsite review, which is completed in one week by a joint Federal and State review team, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Regional Office coordinator for the review prepares and distributes the final report. This is done within 30 calendar days of the onsite review or within 30 calendar days of resolving any discrepancies in information collected during the statewide assessment and onsite review. The report includes the written determination of substantial conformity for each of the seven outcomes and seven systemic factors reviewed. Subsequent reviews are conducted at 5-year intervals for States determined to be in substantial conformity and at 2-year intervals for States determined not to be in substantial conformity.

If there are areas of nonconformity, the State submits a Program Improvement Plan to the ACF Regional Office for approval within 90 calendar days of receiving the final report. Once approved, the State implements the plan and regularly updates the ACF Regional Office Coordinator. If a State fails to successfully complete a program improvement plan, Federal funds are withheld from the State.

Sixteen States and the District of Columbia were reviewed in Fiscal Year 2001. If available, links to final reports and press releases are noted below:

  • Arizona—not available
  • Arkansas—not available
  • Delaware— http://www.state.de.us/kids/prevent.htm
  • District of Columbia—not available
  • Florida—not available
  • Georgia— http://childwelfare.net/cfsreview/
  • Indiana—not available
  • Kansas— http://www.srskansas.org/reports.htm (Press Release: http://www.srskansas.org/SRSPress/2001/0626a01.htm)
  • Massachusetts—not available
  • Minnesota— http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/newsroom/ News/Cwfullreport.pdf (Press Release: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/newsroom/NEWS/CW.htm)
  • New Mexico
  • New York—not available
  • North Carolina— http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/stats/docs/CFSR_Full_Report.pdf (Press Release: http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/pressrel/5-22-01.htm)
  • North Dakota—not available
  • Oregon— http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region10/extra/oregon.doc (Press Release: http://www.hr.state.or.us/news/archive/2001news/2001-0810b.html -- Editor's note: this link is no longer available)
  • South Dakota—not available
  • Vermont—not available

For a list of States scheduled to be reviewed in Fiscal Year 2002, visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/hotissues/cfs02.htm

Related Items

Visit the Child Welfare Review Project's website, which disseminates information on behalf of the Children's Bureau about the Child and Family Services Reviews, consultant recruitment, and training (http://www.childwelfarereview.com). (Editor's note: this link is no longer available. More information can be found on the Child Welfare Reviews section of the Children's Bureau website at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwrp/index.htm.)

See the following related articles in these past issues of the Children's Bureau Express:

  • "Children's Bureau Unveils New Outcomes-Oriented State Program Reviews" (March/April 2001)
  • "Child and Family Services Reviews Focus of Teleconference" (March/April 2001)
  • "HHS Assistant Secretary Discusses New Child Welfare Rule" (April 2000)
  • "Final Rule Implementing Child Welfare Laws Aims to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families" (March 2000)

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