HHS proposes new rule to improve availability of kinship foster care homes
Author
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On February 14, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a new proposed regulation that would allow child welfare agencies to adopt less burdensome licensing standards for all relative and kinship foster family homes. Counties with jurisdiction over the foster care system are encouraged to submit comments on the proposed rule before the deadline of April 17.
Kinship care—in which relatives or close friends care for children who must be removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect—is the preferred setting over placement in foster care with nonrelatives. However, socioeconomic and administrative barriers can make it difficult for relatives to serve as formal, licensed foster care providers.
Current regulations exacerbate this problem by requiring the same licensing standards for family member kinship and non-relative foster home placements and do not distinguish between these relationships. Under the proposed rule, ACF is revising the definition of “foster family home” to allow child welfare agencies the discretion to adopt unique licensing standards to streamline and incentivize kinship care arrangements without compromising child safety. By lessening delays in the kinship foster family licensing process, this change will allow for increased financial assistance to kinship foster care households.
County governments play a critical role in preventing child abuse and neglect, including by fully or partially overseeing the child welfare system in 11 states. NACo supports federal efforts, including this proposed rule, to increase and incentivize kinship placements to facilitate the best possible outcomes for the children in our care. We strongly encourage county officials to submit feedback on the proposed rule by the deadline on April 17. To read the full proposal and submit comments, click here.
Additional Resources
Resource
The County Human Services and Education Landscape
Related News
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces major restructuring
On March 27, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a sweeping reorganization that will consolidate agencies, shift key programs under a new framework and eliminate thousands of positions. This change brings HHS in line with President Trump's Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services moves to reduce public comment in rulemaking
On February 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a policy change limiting public comment opportunities to only those required by law. Published in the Federal Register on March 3, the decision rescinds the “Richardson Waiver,” a 1971 directive from then-HHS Secretary Elliot Richardson that encouraged broader public input on regulations related to public benefits, grants and healthcare policies.
U.S. Congress begins work on budget reconciliation process: What this means for counties
The House and Senate Budget Committees have marked up Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget resolutions to initiate the budget reconciliation process to enact policy priorities without garnering bipartisan support, although the two chambers differ in their approach to drafting the legislation.