ABOUT CHILDREN'S

Flexible Funding, Title IV-E Waiver

Washington state has an opportunity to apply for a waiver that will allow flexibility in using Title IV-E funding for innovative services to safely prevent children from entering foster care; to support their families to ensure a safe, permanent reunification with their families; and to find timely, safe, permanent homes for those children who cannot be safely reunited with their families.

Currently states receive Title IV-E funding while children are placed in foster care. As Washington has made innovative improvements to the foster care system to achieve successful outcomes for children and reduce foster care caseloads, an estimated $2.7 million in Title IV-E federal funding has been lost. Without a waiver, Title IV-E funding cannot be used for prevention services or for services after a family has reunified in order to ensure that the reunification is safe and permanent.

• Read the background information on the Title IV-E Waiver
• Read the goals and objectives of the Title IV-E Waiver project

Title IV-E Waiver Application Submitted

The Washington State Title IV-E Child Welfare Demonstration Waiver Proposal was submitted to our federal partners on Friday, July 6, 2012. Our proposal, which is focused on the implementation of Family Assessment Response (FAR), presents an opportunity for Washington state to better address the needs of children and families, and to contribute to the growing evidence base about effective interventions in the field of public welfare.

Next steps of working with our federal partners to negotiate terms and conditions of the waiver will be posted as information becomes available.

Read the letter from Robin Arnold-Williams, former Secretary DSHS

Read the proposal

Read the letter of support from former Governor, Christine Gregoire

Guidance for Title IV-E Waiver Application

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the procedures for applying for child welfare waiver demonstration projects for consideration in FYs 2012 - 2014.

Included in the Information Memorandum:

• Procedures for states to follow in involving the public in the development of proposed demonstration projects
• Procedures HHS will follow in receiving and reviewing demonstration proposals
• Principles and procedures HHS will follow in exercising its discretion to grant demonstration projects

June 4, 2012 - DSHS to submit a letter of intent

July 9, 2012 - Proposals due

Statewide Advisory Committee

A statewide advisory committee has been formed to make recommendations to the Children's Administration about the substantive content of the waiver application. The completed waiver application must be ready for submission by July 9, 2012.

• Read about the committee

Meetings