History
The federal government’s requirements and funding for public child welfare agencies are found in the Social Security Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The 1994 Amendments to the Social Security Act (SSA) authorize DHHS to review public state child welfare programs to make certain they are conforming with two parts of the Social Security Act – IV-B and IV-E.
In 2000, DHHS started the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) as a new way to monitor the work, performance and outcomes of state child welfare programs. The states are now assessed for “substantial conformity” with requirements for the following child welfare services: child protective, foster care, adoption, family preservation and family support, and independent living. The Children’s Bureau, part of DHHS, is in charge of the CFSR system.
Purpose
The goal of the reviews is to help states to improve child welfare services and achieve the following outcomes for families and children who receive services:
Safety
- Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect.
- Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate.
Permanency
- Children have permanency and stability in their living situations.
- The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children.
Family and Child Well-Being
- Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs.
- Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs.
- Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs.
The federal government conducts the reviews in partnership with state child welfare agency staff. The reviews are structured to help states identify strengths and areas for improvement within their agencies and programs.
The Review Process
Each child and family services review is a two-stage process that comprises a Statewide Assessment and an onsite review of child and family service outcomes and program systems.
- Statewide Assessment
- Onsite Review
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After the Statewide Assessment is completed and sent to the Children’s Bureau, a joint Federal-State team reviews the state child welfare program. This on-site review includes: (1) case record reviews; (2) interviews with children, youth and families engaged in services; and (3) interviews with community stakeholders, such as the courts and community agencies, foster families, and caseworkers and service providers.
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When the on-site review is completed, states are informed of their strengths and their areas of concern in the areas of safety, permanency and well-being. Each state has to develop and implement a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address the areas of concern. These areas are called “areas of nonconformity” because they do not conform to the federal government’s standards.
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Pennsylvania’s previous PIP implementation period was 05/01/03 – 04/30/05. This plan resulted in new initiatives and changes in Pennsylvania’s child welfare practice.
Resources
Children’s Bureau
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/index.htm#cfsr
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement
http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/helpkids/
National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology
http://nrccwdt.org/
Department of Public Welfare
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/
Child Welfare Information Gateway
http://www.childwelfare.gov/index.cfm
