Guidance on Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

Program Instruction

To: State, Tribal and Territorial Agencies Administering or Supervising the Administration of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations and Tribal Consortia (Tribes)

Subject: Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351) Comprehensive Guidance, Titles IV-B and IV-E Plan Requirements, Title IV-E Plan Amendment – Definition of "Child", Extension of Title IV-E Assistance, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law (P.L.) 111-148)

Legal and Related References: Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act (the Act); P.L. 110-351; P.L. 111-148

Purpose: The purpose of this Program Instruction (PI) is to provide title IV-E agencies comprehensive information on the provisions of titles IV-B and IV-E as a result of the amendments made by the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, P.L. 110-351.  In addition to providing new guidance on the option for a title IV-E agency to extend assistance for the foster care maintenance, adoption assistance, and/or kinship guardianship programs to an eligible youth age 18 and older up to age 21, this instruction provides additional guidance on the other provisions of P.L. 110-351 and the flexibilities afforded to a title IV-E agency in complying with the law.  We are also providing instruction on changes to the titles IV-B/IV-E plan requirements as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).

INFORMATION:
Section A: Title IV-E Definition of Child and Extending Assistance to Youth Age 18 and Older
Section B: Provisions Specific to the Extension of Title IV-E Foster Care Age 18 and Older
Section C: Transition Plan for Emancipating Youth
Section D: Guardianship Assistance Program
Section E: Enrolling Children in School, Educational Stability and Payments for School Transportation
Section F: Health Care Oversight and Coordination Plan
Section G: Sibling Placement
Section H: Notifying Relatives
Section I: Waiving Non-Safety Licensing Standards for Relatives
Section J: Adoption Assistance, Reinvestment, and Adoption Tax Credit
Section K: Indian Tribes and Title IV-E
Section L: Short-Term Training
Section M: Funding and Administrative Costs
Section N: Instructions for Amending the Title IV-E Plan

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/pi/2010/pi1011.htm