NCJ Number
210155
Date Published
2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This bulletin explains how funding available to juvenile courts under the Federal Title IV-E Foster Care program can enhance the continuum of services for delinquent juveniles.
Abstract
Title IV-E is part of the Social Security Act. It provides financial reimbursement to States, on a matching basis, to support the following efforts: board and care for low-income children who have been placed out of the home, primarily in nonsecure foster care, group homes, and residential treatment facilities; administrative support related to the prevention of their removal from the home in the first place; and administration support for those removed from the home in order to facilitate their return to their families. The program is used primarily for children who are receiving services from a child welfare system due to abuse and neglect; however, with some restrictions, the program also applies to delinquent children, whether or not they are involved in the child welfare system. Title IV-E funding eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis according to the financial status of the household from which the child was removed; the court's determination that remaining in the home would be "contrary to the welfare of the child" or that placement is "in the best interest" of the child; a certification that "reasonable efforts" were made to prevent the youth's removal from the home; and for youth in placement for 12 months, a permanency hearing and reasonable efforts to finalize the permanency plan. This bulletin explains how juvenile probationers may also be eligible for IV-E funding, since their supervision in the community is preventing removal from their homes. A hypothetical example of such a case is provided. 4 references