Implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 Working Document

This document provides the locations of Children's Bureau policy, guidance, and other implementation activities related to the Fostering Connection to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351).

Background. The President signed the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P. L. 110-351) into law on October 7, 2008.  Generally, the law amends the Social Security Act to extend and expand adoption incentives through FY2013; create an option to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments; create an option to extend eligibility for title IV-E foster care, adoption assistance and kinship guardianship payments to age 21; de-link adoption assistance from Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) eligibility over time; and, provide Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Tribal consortia (Tribes) with the option to operate a title IV-E program, among many other provisions. A draft compilation of the revised Social Security Act can be found on the CB's website.

Title IV-E RequirementsGuardianship Assistance Payments (GAP) ProgramTribal Option to Operate a Title IV-E ProgramTribal Option to Directly Operate the Chafee Foster Care Independent Living Program (CFCIP) and Education and Training Voucher (ETV) ProgramTribal Title IV-E Plan Development GrantsDe-linking a Child's Adoption Assistance Eligibility from AFDC Eligibility RequirementsExtension and Expansion of the Adoption Incentives ProgramOption to Extend Eligibility for Title IV-E Payments to Age 21Educational Stability RequirementsTitle IV-B Plan Health Oversight and Coordination Plan RequirementsTransition Plan for Emancipating YouthState Good Faith Negotiation with TribesTrainingNotice to Relatives of RemovalTitle IV-E Plan Requirements for Sibling PlacementAdoption Tax CreditLicensing Waivers for Relatives and Report to CongressAccess to Federal Parent Locator ServiceFamily Connection GrantsAdditional Policy Guidance

Title IV-E Requirements — States and Tribes that operate a program pursuant to title IV-E of the Social Security Act must comply with all requirements identified in law, regulation and policy.  Additional information regarding general requirements of title IV-E may be found at:

Guardianship Assistance Payments (GAP) Program (Effective October 7, 2008) - creates an option for State and Tribal title IV-E agencies to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments.  Additional information may be found at:

Tribal Option to Operate a Title IV-E Program (Effective October 1, 2009) - allows Federally-recognized Tribes to apply to receive title IV-E funds directly for foster care, adoption assistance and, at Tribal option, kinship guardianship assistance.  Additional information may be found at:

Tribal Option to Directly Operate the Chafee Foster Care Independent Living Program (CFCIP) and Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program (Effective October 1, 2009) - provides an option for Tribes with an approved title IV-E plan or a title IV-E Tribal/State agreement to receive directly from the Secretary of HHS a portion of the State's CFCIP and ETV allotments to fund the provision of services to Tribal youth.  Additional information may be found at:

Tribal Title IV-E Plan Development Grants - are authorized for the development of a Tribal title IV-E plan and implementation of a title IV-E program.

De-linking a Child's Adoption Assistance Eligibility from AFDC Eligibility Requirements (Effective October 1, 2009, subject to phase-in) - establishes new criteria associated with the de-linking of Adoption Assistance eligibility AFDC eligibility requirements, phased in over time beginning in FY 2010.  In FY 2010 beginning with children aged 16 years and older, eligibility for Adoption Assistance will be delinked from AFDC and every fiscal year after the age drops two years.  Additional information may be found at:

Extension and Expansion of the Adoption Incentives Program (Effective October 7, 2