118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9076 
AN ACT 
To reauthorize child welfare programs under part B of title 
IV of the Social Security Act and strengthen the State 
and tribal child support enforcement program under part 
D of such title, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Supporting America’s 
Children and Families Act’’. 
TITLE I—CHILD WELFARE REAU-
THORIZATION 
AND 
MOD-
ERNIZATION 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This title may be cited as the 
‘‘Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Fami-
lies Act’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Except as otherwise expressly 
provided, wherever in this title an amendment or repeal 
is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, 
a section or other provision, the reference shall be consid-
ered to be made to that section or other provision of the 
Social Security Act. 
SEC. 102. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents of this title is as follows: 
Sec. 101. Short title; references. 
Sec. 102. Table of contents. 
Sec. 103. Reauthorization of child welfare programs. 
Sec. 104. Enhancements to the court improvement program. 
Sec. 105. Expanding regional partnership grants to address parental substance 
use disorder as cause of child removal. 
Sec. 106. Modernization; reducing administrative burden. 
Sec. 107. Streamlining funding for Indian tribes. 
Sec. 108. Accelerating access to Family First prevention services. 
Sec. 109. Strengthening support for youth aging out of foster care. 
Sec. 110. Recognizing the importance of relative and kinship caregivers. 
Sec. 111. Avoiding neglect by addressing poverty. 
Sec. 112. Strengthening support for caseworkers. 
Sec. 113. Demonstration projects for improving relationships between incarcer-
ated parents and children in foster care.
Sec. 114. Guidance to States on improving data collection and reporting for 
youth in residential treatment programs. 
Sec. 115. Streamlining research, training, and technical assistance funding. 
Sec. 116. Report on post adoption and subsidized guardianship services. 
Sec. 117. Effective date. 
SEC. 103. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHILD WELFARE PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) REAUTHORIZATION
OF SUBPART 1; DISCRE-
TIONARY FUNDING.—Section 425 (42 U.S.C. 625) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘2025 through 2029’’. 
(b) REAUTHORIZATION OF SUBPART 2; ENHANCED 
SUPPORT.—Section 436(a) (42 U.S.C. 629f(a)) is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2025 and $420,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029’’. 
(c) REAUTHORIZATION
OF SUBPART 2; DISCRE-
TIONARY FUNDING.—Section 437(a) (42 U.S.C. 629g(a)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘2025 through 2029’’. 
(d) FUNDING LIMITATION.—Section 423(a)(2)(A) 
(42 U.S.C. 623(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, not 
to exceed $10,000,000’’ before the semicolon. 
SEC. 104. ENHANCEMENTS TO THE COURT IMPROVEMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) INCREASE IN RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Section 
436(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(2)) is amended by inserting
‘‘for fiscal year 2025 and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 
and each succeeding fiscal year’’ before ‘‘for grants’’. 
(b) EXTENSION OF STATE MATCH REQUIREMENT.— 
Section 438(d) (42 U.S.C. 629h(d)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2025 through 
2029’’. 
(c) PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.—Section 438(a) (42 
U.S.C. 629h(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(F) that determine the appropriateness 
and best practices for use of technology to con-
duct remote hearings, subject to participant 
consent, including to ensure maximum partici-
pation of individuals involved in proceedings 
and to enable courts to maintain operations in 
times of public health or other emergencies;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ‘‘per-
sonnel.’’ and inserting ‘‘personnel and supporting 
optimal use of remote hearing technology; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) to ensure continuity of needed court serv-
ices, prevent disruption of the services, and enable 
their recovery from threats such as public health cri-
ses, natural disasters or cyberattacks, including 
through— 
‘‘(A) support for technology that allows 
court proceedings to occur remotely subject to 
participant consent, including hearings and 
legal representation; 
‘‘(B) the development of guidance and pro-
tocols for responding to the occurrences and co-
ordinating with other agencies; and 
‘‘(C) other activities carried out to ensure 
backup systems are in place.’’. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE ON SHARING BEST 
PRACTICES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES NEEDED FOR 
REMOTE COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR FOSTER CARE OR 
ADOPTION.—Section 438 (42 U.S.C. 629h) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Every 5 years, the Sec-
retary shall issue implementation guidance for shar-
ing information on best practices for— 
‘‘(A) technological changes needed for 
court proceedings for foster care, guardianship, 
or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way 
that maximizes engagement and protects the 
privacy of participants; and
‘‘(B) the manner in which the proceedings 
should be conducted. 
‘‘(2) INITIAL ISSUANCE.—The Secretary shall 
issue initial guidance required by paragraph (1) with 
preliminary information on best practices not later 
than October 1, 2025. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL
CONSULTATION.—The Sec-
retary shall consult with Indian tribes on the devel-
opment of appropriate guidelines for State court 
proceedings involving Indian children to maximize 
engagement of Indian tribes and provide appropriate 
guidelines on conducting State court proceedings 
subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 
U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).’’. 
SEC. 105. EXPANDING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS 
TO ADDRESS PARENTAL SUBSTANCE USE DIS-
ORDER AS CAUSE OF CHILD REMOVAL. 
(a) INCREASE IN RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Section 
436(b)(5) (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(5)) is amended by striking 
‘‘each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2025 and $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 
and each succeeding fiscal year’’. 
(b) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 437(f) (42 U.S.C. 
629g(f)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)(A)—
(A) by striking ‘‘In addition to amounts 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
section, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2025 through 2029’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘for each of 
fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’. 
(c) AUTHORITY TO WAIVE PLANNING PHASE.—Sec-
tion 437(f)(3)(B)(iii) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(3)(B)(iii)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking all that precedes ‘‘grant award-
ed’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(iii) SUFFICIENT PLANNING.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—A’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘may not exceed $250,000, 
and’’; and 
(3) by adding after and below the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(II) 
EXCEPTION.—The 
Sec-
retary, on a case-by-case basis, may 
waive the planning phase for a part-
nership that demonstrates that the 
partnership has engaged in sufficient 
planning before submitting an appli-
cation for a grant under this sub-
section.’’. 
(d) EXPANDING AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED 
SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 437(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
629g(f)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and expand 
the scope of the evidence-based services that may be 
approved by the clearinghouse established under sec-
tion 476(d)’’ before the period. 
(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS
FOR
AWARDING 
GRANTS.—Section 437(f)(7) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(7)) 
is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (D); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of 
subparagraph (E) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) have submitted information pursuant 
to paragraph (4)(F) that demonstrates the ca-
pability to participate in rigorous evaluation of 
program effectiveness.’’. 
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON USING REGIONAL 
PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDS IN COORDINATION WITH 
OTHER FEDERAL FUNDS TO BETTER SERVE FAMILIES
AFFECTED BY A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.—Section 
435(d) (42 U.S.C. 629e(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(4); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (5) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) use grants under section 437(f) in coordi-
nation with other Federal funds to better serve fami-
lies in the child welfare system that are affected by 
a substance use disorder.’’. 
(f) 
PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS.—Section 
437(f)(8)(A) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(8)(A)) is amended in the 
1st sentence— 
(1) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ the 1st place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘the Protecting America’s 
Children by Strengthening Families Act’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘child permanency, reunifica-
tion, re-entry into care,’’ before ‘‘parental recovery’’; 
and 
(3) by inserting ‘‘, and access to services for 
families with substance use disorder, including those 
with children who are overrepresented in foster care, 
difficult to place, or have disproportionately low per-
manency rates’’ before the period.
‘‘(G) are a State or public agency, or out-
line a plan to increase the availability of serv-
ices funded under the grant statewide.’’. 
(j) ADDITION OF JUVENILE COURT AS REQUIRED 
PARTNER.—Section 
437(f)(2)(A) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
629g(f)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) The most appropriate adminis-
trative office of the juvenile court or State 
court overseeing court proceedings involv-
ing families who come to the attention of 
the court due to child abuse or neglect.’’. 
(k) ADDITIONAL
OPTIONAL
PARTNER.—Section 
437(f)(2)(C) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(2)(C)) is amended by re-
designating clause (ix) as clause (x) and inserting after 
clause (viii) the following: 
‘‘(ix) State or local agencies that ad-
minister Federal health care, housing, fam-
ily support, or other related programs.’’. 
(l) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) 
Section 
437(f)(2)(D) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
629g(f)(2)(D)) is amended— 
(A) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause 
(i);
(B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of 
clause (ii) and inserting a period; and 
(C) by striking clause (iii). 
(2) Section 437(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(2)) is 
amended by striking subparagraph (B) and redesig-
nating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs 
(B) and (C), respectively 
SEC. 106. MODERNIZATION; REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE 
BURDEN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 431 (42 U.S.C. 629a) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) USE OF TECHNOLOGY.— 
‘‘(1) USE OF PORTAL.—The services referred to 
in subsection (a) may include the means of access to 
and use of an electronic or digital portal to facilitate 
the provision of community support to care for and 
meet specific needs of families and children. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Such a portal shall not re-
tain or share personally identifiable information 
about a beneficiary without consent or for any pur-
pose other than referral.’’. 
(b) ALLOWING SUPPORT
FOR FAMILY RESOURCE 
CENTERS.—Section 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)) is amend-
ed—
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, includ-
ing services provided by family resource centers,’’ 
before ‘‘designed’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘family re-
source center’ means a community or school- 
based hub of support services for families 
that— 
‘‘(i) utilizes an approach that is multi- 
generational, strengths-based, and family- 
centered; 
‘‘(ii) reflects, and is responsive to, 
community needs and interests; 
‘‘(iii) provides support at no or low 
cost for participants; and 
‘‘(iv) builds communities of peer sup-
port for families, including kinship fami-
lies, to develop social connections that re-
duce isolation and stress. 
‘‘(B) SPECIAL
RULE.—For purposes of 
this subpart, an expenditure for a service pro-
vided by a family resource center may be treat-
ed as an expenditure for any 1 or more of fam-
ily support services, family preservation serv-
ices, family reunification services, or adoption 
promotion and support services as long as the 
expenditure is related to serving the children 
and families in the specified category and con-
sistent with the overall purpose of the cat-
egory.’’. 
(c) UPDATING STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Sec-
tion 422(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(1)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(1) provide that a State agency will administer 
or supervise the administration of the plan under 
this subpart;’’. 
(d) ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION.—Section 
422(b)(4) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(4)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (A); 
(2) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (B); and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) the steps that the State will take to 
ensure that, with respect to any judicial pro-
ceeding involving a child and in which there is 
an allegation of child abuse or neglect, includ-
ing a proceeding on dependency, adoption, 
guardianship, or termination of parental rights,
information about available independent legal 
representation is provided to— 
‘‘(i) the child, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(ii) any individual who is a parent or 
guardian, or has legal custody, of the 
child;’’. 
(e) SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH
AND WELL- 
BEING
OF
CHILDREN
IN
FOSTER
CARE.—Section 
422(b)(15)(A) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(15) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and, if applicable, the 
State agency responsible for mental health serv-
ices,’’ before ‘‘and in consultation’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘mental health pro-
viders,’’ before ‘‘other experts’’; 
(2) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘a list of services 
provided to support the physical and’’ before ‘‘emo-
tional’’; 
(3) in clause (iv), by inserting ‘‘and mental 
health’’ before ‘‘services’’; 
(4) in clause (v), by inserting ‘‘, informed con-
sent of youth, and compliance with professional 
practice guidelines’’ before the semicolon; and 
(5) in clause (vi), by inserting ‘‘, licensed men-
tal health providers,’’ before ‘‘or other’’.
(f) REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subpart 3 of part B of title 
IV (42 U.S.C. 629m) is amended by redesignating 
section 440 as section 443 and inserting before such 
section the following: 
‘‘SEC. 441. REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall reduce the 
burden of administering this part imposed on the recipi-
ents of funds under this part, by— 
‘‘(1) reviewing and revising administrative data 
collection instruments and forms to eliminate dupli-
cation and streamline reporting requirements for the 
recipients while collecting all data required under 
this part; 
‘‘(2) in coordination with activities required 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act, conducting an 
analysis of the total number of hours reported by 
the recipients to comply with paperwork require-
ments and exploring, in consultation with the recipi-
ents, how to reduce the number of hours required 
for the compliance by at least 15 percent; 
‘‘(3) collecting input from the recipients with 
respect to fiscal and oversight requirements and 
making changes to ensure consistency with stand-
ards and guidelines for other Federal formula grant 
programs based on the input; and 
‘‘(4) respecting the sovereignty of Indian tribes 
when complying with this subsection. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION
ON APPLICABILITY.—Subsection 
(a) of this section shall not apply to any reporting or data 
collection otherwise required by law that would affect the 
ability of the Secretary to monitor and ensure compliance 
with State plans approved under this part or ensure that 
funds are expended consistent with this part. 
‘‘SEC. 442. PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PLANS. 
‘‘The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) create a standardized format for State 
plans required under sections 422 and 432 used to 
monitor compliance with those sections; 
‘‘(2) produce comparisons and analyses of 
trends in State plans to inform future technical as-
sistance and policy development; 
‘‘(3) make the State plans available on a public 
website; and 
‘‘(4) include on the website aggregated national 
summaries of State submissions as the Secretary 
deems appropriate.’’.
(A) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Section 
422(b)(9) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(9)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Act;’’ and inserting ‘‘Act of 1978, in-
cluding how the State will ensure timely notice 
to Indian tribes of State custody proceedings 
involving Indian children, foster care or adop-
tive placements of Indian children, and case 
recordkeeping as such matters relate to trans-
fers of jurisdiction, termination of parental 
rights, and active efforts;’’. 
(B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Subpart 1 
of part B of title IV (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 429B. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDIAN 
CHILD WELFARE ACT OF 1978. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than October 1, 2025, 
the Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribal organiza-
tions and States, shall develop a plan and provide tech-
nical assistance supporting effective implementation of the 
Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, including specific meas-
ures identified in State plans as required by section 
422(b)(9) of this Act. The technical assistance plan shall 
be based on data sufficient to assess State strengths and 
areas for improvement in implementing Federal standards
established under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 
including, at a minimum, the following: 
‘‘(1) Timely identification of Indian children 
and extended family members. 
‘‘(2) Timely tribal notice of State child custody 
proceedings involving an Indian child. 
‘‘(3) Reports of cases in which a transfer of ju-
risdiction (as defined under the Indian Child Wel-
fare Act of 1978) was granted or was not granted, 
and reasons specified for denial in cases where 
transfer was denied. 
‘‘(4) In cases in which a State court orders a 
foster care placement of an Indian child, whether re-
quirements for active efforts to prevent the breakup 
of the Indian family, testimony of a qualified expert 
witness, and evidentiary standards were met. 
‘‘(5) Whether an Indian child was placed in a 
placement that is required to be preferred under the 
Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, and if not, the 
reasons specified. 
‘‘(6) In cases in which a State court orders the 
termination of parental rights to an Indian child, 
whether requirements for active efforts to prevent 
the breakup of the Indian family, testimony of a
qualified expert witness, and evidentiary standards 
were met. 
‘‘(b) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—On request of 
the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide 
the Secretary with such guidance and assistance as may 
be necessary to facilitate informing States and public child 
welfare agencies on how to comply with the Indian Child 
Welfare Act of 1978, including specific measures identi-
fied in State plans as required by section 422(b)(9) of this 
Act. 
‘‘(c) BIENNIAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary shall biennially submit to the Committee on Ways 
and Means of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Finance of the Senate a written report on how— 
‘‘(1) the States are complying with the Indian 
Child Welfare Act of 1978 and section 422(b)(9) of 
this Act, as informed by data collected under this 
section; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary is assisting States and In-
dian tribes to improve implementation of Federal 
standards established under the Indian Child Wel-
fare Act of 1978.’’. 
(3) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; ADMINISTRA-
TIVE COSTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 428 (42 U.S.C. 
628) is amended by redesignating subsection (c) 
as subsection (d) and inserting before such sub-
section the following: 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY TO STREAMLINE REPORTING RE-
QUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall, in consultation with 
the affected Indian tribes, modify any reporting require-
ment imposed by or under this part on an Indian tribe, 
tribal organization, or tribal consortium if the total of the 
amounts allotted to the Indian tribe, tribal organization, 
or tribal consortium under this part for the fiscal year is 
not more than $50,000, and in a manner that limits the 
administrative burden on any tribe to which not more than 
$50,000 is allotted under this subpart for the fiscal year. 
‘‘(c) TRIBAL AUTHORITY TO SUBSTITUTE THE FED-
ERAL NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE FOR ADMINIS-
TRATIVE
COSTS
CAP.—For 
purposes 
of 
sections 
422(b)(14) and 424(e), an Indian tribal organization may 
elect to have the weighted average of the indirect cost 
rates in effect under part 220 of title 2, Code of Federal 
Regulations with respect to the administrative costs of the 
Indian tribal organization apply in lieu of the percentage 
specified in each such section.’’. 
(B) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 
431(a) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)) is amended in each
of paragraphs (5) and (6) by striking ‘‘428(c)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘428(d)’’. 
(b) SUBPART 2.— 
(1) 
TRIBAL
PLAN
EXEMPTION.—Section 
432(b)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 629b(b)(2)(B)) is amend-
ed— 
(A) by striking ‘‘section 433(a)’’ the 1st 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘sections 433(a) 
and 437(c)(1) combined’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘section 433(a)’’ the 2nd 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘such sections’’. 
(2) APPLICATION
OF
TRIBAL
SET-ASIDE
BE-
FORE
OTHER
SET-ASIDES.—Section 436(b)(3) (42 
U.S.C. 429f(b)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘After 
applying paragraphs (4) and (5) (but before apply-
ing paragraphs (1) or (2)), the’’ and inserting 
‘‘The’’. 
(3) INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR TRIBAL COURT 
IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM.—Section 438(c)(3) (42 
U.S.C. 629h(c)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘for fis-
cal year 2025, and $2,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2029,’’ before ‘‘for grants’’.
SEC. 108. ACCELERATING ACCESS TO FAMILY FIRST PRE-
VENTION SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 435 (42 U.S.C. 629e) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) PREVENTION SERVICES EVALUATION PARTNER-
SHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this subsection 
is to authorize the Secretary to make competitive 
grants to support the timely evaluation of— 
‘‘(A) services and programs described in 
section 471(e); or 
‘‘(B) kinship navigator programs described 
in section 474(a)(7). 
‘‘(2) GRANTS.—In accordance with applications 
approved under this subsection, the Secretary may 
make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible enti-
ties to carry out projects designed to evaluate a serv-
ice or program provided by the eligible entity, or an 
entity in partnership with the eligible entity, with re-
spect to the requirements for a promising practice, 
supported practice, or well-supported practice de-
scribed in section 471(e)(4)(C). 
‘‘(3) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity may 
apply to the Secretary for a grant under this
subsection to carry out a project that meets the 
following requirements: 
‘‘(i) The project is designed in accord-
ance with paragraph (2). 
‘‘(ii) The project is to be carried out 
by the applicant in partnership with— 
‘‘(I) a State agency that admin-
isters, or supervises the administra-
tion of, the State plan approved under 
part E, or an agency administering 
the plan under the supervision of the 
State agency; and 
‘‘(II) if the applicant is unable or 
unwilling to do so, at least 1 external 
evaluator to carry out the evaluation 
of the service or program provided by 
the applicant. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The application shall 
contain the following: 
‘‘(i) A description of the project, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(I) a statement explaining why 
a grant is necessary to carry out the 
project; and
‘‘(II) the amount of grant funds 
that would be disbursed to each entity 
described in subparagraph (A)(ii) in 
partnership with the applicant. 
‘‘(ii) A certification from each entity 
described in subparagraph (A)(ii) that pro-
vides assurances that the individual or en-
tity is in partnership with the applicant 
and will fulfill the responsibilities of the 
entity specified in the description provided 
pursuant to clause (i) of this subpara-
graph. 
‘‘(iii) A certification from the appli-
cant that provides assurances that the ap-
plicant intends to comply with subpara-
graph (A)(ii)(II), if applicable. 
‘‘(iv) At the option of the eligible enti-
ty, a certification from the applicant that 
the applicant requires an external eval-
uator secured by the Secretary pursuant to 
paragraph (5), if applicable. 
‘‘(4) PRIORITIES.—In approving applications 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize 
the following:
‘‘(A) Addressing, with respect to the clear-
inghouse of practices described in section 
476(d)(2), deficiencies or gaps identified by the 
Secretary in consultation with— 
‘‘(i) States, political subdivisions of a 
State, and tribal communities carrying out, 
or receiving the benefits of, a service or 
program; and 
‘‘(ii) child welfare experts, including 
individuals with lived experience. 
‘‘(B) Maximizing the number of evidence- 
based services or programs to be included in the 
clearinghouse of practices described in section 
476(d)(2). 
‘‘(C) Timely completion of evaluations and 
the production of evidence. 
‘‘(D) Supporting services or programs that 
are based on, or are adaptations to new popu-
lation settings of, a service or program with re-
liable evidence about the benefits and risks of 
the service or program. 
‘‘(5) 
AVAILABILITY
OF
EXTERNAL
EVAL-
UATORS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Before accepting ap-
plications under this subsection, the Secretary
shall make reasonable efforts to identify at least 
1 entity to serve as an external evaluator for 
any eligible entity that includes a certification 
under paragraph (3)(B)(iv) with an application 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(B) NO EFFECT ON CONSIDERATION OF 
APPLICATION.—The Secretary may not consider 
whether an eligible entity is in partnership with 
an external evaluator described in paragraph 
(A) in approving an application under this sub-
section submitted by the eligible entity. 
‘‘(6) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) BY
GRANT
RECIPIENTS.—Within 1 
year after receiving a grant under this sub-
section, and every year thereafter for the next 
5 years, the grant recipient shall submit to the 
Secretary a written report on— 
‘‘(i) the use of grant funds; 
‘‘(ii) whether the program or service 
evaluated by the project meets a require-
ment specified in section 471(e)(4)(C), in-
cluding information about— 
‘‘(I) how the program or service 
is being carried out in accordance
with standards specified in the re-
quirement; 
‘‘(II) any outcomes of the pro-
gram or service; and 
‘‘(III) any outcome with respect 
to which the service or program com-
pares favorably to a comparison prac-
tice; and 
‘‘(iii) whether the Secretary has in-
cluded the program or service in an update 
to the clearinghouse of practices described 
in section 476(d)(2). 
‘‘(B) BY THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Ways and 
Means of the House of Representatives and to 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate an an-
nual written report on— 
‘‘(i) the grants awarded under this 
subsection; 
‘‘(ii) the programs funded by the 
grants; 
‘‘(iii) any technical assistance pro-
vided by the Secretary in carrying out this 
subsection, including with respect to the
efforts to secure external evaluators pursu-
ant to paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(iv) any efforts by the Secretary to 
support program evaluation and review 
pursuant to section 471(e) and inclusion of 
programs in the pre-approved list of serv-
ices and programs described in section 
471(e)(4)(D) or the clearinghouse of prac-
tices described in section 476(d)(2). 
‘‘(7) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) LIMITATIONS.—Of the amounts avail-
able to carry out this subsection, the Secretary 
may use not more than 5 percent to provide 
technical assistance. 
‘‘(B) CARRYOVER.—Amounts made avail-
able to carry out this subsection shall remain 
available until expended. 
‘‘(8) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligi-
ble entity’ means any of the following providing 
a service or program or, in the sole determina-
tion of the Secretary, able to provide a service 
or program if awarded a grant under this sub-
section:
‘‘(i) A State, a political subdivision of 
a State, or an agency or department of a 
State or political subdivision of a State. 
‘‘(ii) An entity described in subpara-
graph (A) or (B) of section 426(a)(1). 
‘‘(iii) An Indian tribe or tribal organi-
zation. 
‘‘(B) EXTERNAL EVALUATOR.—The term 
‘external evaluator’ means an entity with the 
ability and willingness to evaluate a service or 
program pursuant to paragraph (2) that is not 
provided by the entity. 
‘‘(C) SERVICE
OR
PROGRAM.—The term 
‘service or program’— 
‘‘(i) means a service or program de-
scribed in section 471(e); and 
‘‘(ii) includes a kinship navigator pro-
gram described in section 474(a)(7).’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Section 437(b) (42 U.S.C. 629g(b)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) 
PREVENTIVE
SERVICES
EVALUATION 
PARTNERSHIPS.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
reserve 
$5,000,000 for grants under section 435(f) for each 
of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.’’.
SEC. 109. STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR YOUTH AGING 
OUT OF FOSTER CARE. 
(a) CASEWORKER VISITS.—Section 422(b)(17) (42 
U.S.C. 622(b)(17)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and include 
a description of how the State may offer virtual case-
worker visits to youth in care who have attained the age 
of 18 years and provided informed consent for virtual vis-
its’’ before the semicolon. 
(b) YOUTH AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN CHILD 
WELFARE PROGRAM PLANNING.—Section 432(b)(1) (42 
U.S.C. 629b(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ap-
prove a plan that meets the requirements of sub-
section (a) only if— 
‘‘(A) the plan was developed jointly by the 
Secretary and the State, and the State, in de-
veloping the plan, consulted with— 
‘‘(i) appropriate public and nonprofit 
private agencies; 
‘‘(ii) community-based organizations 
involved in providing services for children 
and families in the areas of family preser-
vation, family support, family reunifica-
tion, foster care, kinship, and adoption 
promotion and support;
‘‘(iii) parents with child welfare expe-
rience, foster parents, adoptive parents, 
and kinship caregivers; and 
‘‘(iv) children, youth, and young 
adults with experience in the child welfare 
system, including State boards and coun-
cils comprised of youth with lived experi-
ence who represent the diversity of chil-
dren in the State to whom the plan would 
apply; and 
‘‘(B) the State has made publicly acces-
sible on a website of the State agency a report 
that outlines how the State has implemented 
the suggestions of the children and youth re-
ferred to in subparagraph (A)(iv).’’. 
SEC. 110. RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIVE 
AND KINSHIP CAREGIVERS. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Section 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 
629a(a)), as amended by section 106(b)(2) of this Act, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘children’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘children, youth,’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘adoptive and ex-
tended’’ and inserting ‘‘kinship and adop-
tive’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘par-
ents and other caregivers (including foster par-
ents)’’ and inserting ‘‘parents, kinship care-
givers, and foster parents’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (E); 
(D) by striking the period at the end of 
subparagraph (F) and inserting ‘‘ ; and’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G)(i) peer-to-peer mentoring and support 
programs with demonstrated experience fos-
tering constructive relationships between chil-
dren and families and mentors with relevant 
lived experience or interactions with the child 
welfare system; and 
‘‘(ii) for purposes of this subpart, an ex-
penditure for a service described in clause (i) 
may be treated as an expenditure for any 1 or 
more of family support services, family preser-
vation services, family reunification services, or 
adoption promotion and support services, as 
long as the expenditure is related to serving the
children and families in the specified category 
and consistent with the overall purpose of the 
category.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)(B)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘children’’ 
and inserting ‘‘children, youth,’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘extended’’ 
and inserting ‘‘kinship’’; 
(3) in paragraph (7)(A), by inserting ‘‘with kin-
ship caregivers or’’ before ‘‘in a foster family home’’; 
and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(11) YOUTH.—The term ‘youth’ means an in-
dividual who has not attained 26 years of age.’’. 
(b) KINSHIP NAVIGATORS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 427 (42 U.S.C. 627) 
is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking 
‘‘FAMILY CONNECTION GRANTS’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘KINSHIP NAVIGATORS’’; 
(B) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘helping’’ and inserting 
‘‘administering programs to help’’;
(ii) by striking ‘‘of—’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘a kinship’’ and inserting 
‘‘of a kinship’’; 
(iii) in paragraph (1)(C)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end 
of clause (iii); 
(II) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end 
of clause (iv); and 
(III) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(v) connections to individualized as-
sistance, as needed;’’; 
(iv) 
by 
striking 
paragraphs 
(2) 
through (4); 
(v) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(A) through (G) of paragraph (1) as para-
graphs (1) through (7), respectively; 
(vi) 
by 
redesignating 
clauses 
(i) 
through (iv) and clause (v) (as added by 
clause (iii)(III) of this subparagraph) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respec-
tively; 
(vii) by moving each provision so re-
designated 2 ems to the left; and
(viii) by striking ‘‘caregiving;’’ and in-
serting ‘‘caregiving.’’; 
(C) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘1 or 
more of’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (3) 
and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respec-
tively, and inserting after paragraph (2) 
the following: 
‘‘(3) a description of how the entity will directly 
fund, or provide data to the Secretary for, an eval-
uation which will publish and submit information to 
the clearinghouse described in section 476(d)(2) and 
which is designed to meet the requirements of sec-
tion 471(e)(4)(C), or a description of how the funds 
will be used to help the State transition to a pro-
gram for which the State will seek reimbursement 
under section 474(a)(7);’’; 
(iii) in paragraph (4) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(iv) in paragraph (5) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking the period and inserting 
‘‘; and’’; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(6) if the entity is a State, local or tribal child 
welfare agency— 
‘‘(A) documentation of support from a rel-
evant community-based organization with expe-
rience serving kinship families when applicable; 
or 
‘‘(B) a description of how the organization 
plans to coordinate its services and activities 
with those offered by the relevant community- 
based organizations.’’; 
(D) by striking subsection (d) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—An entity to which a grant 
is made under this section may use the grant to pay not 
more than 75 percent of the cost of the activities to be 
carried out by the entity pursuant to this section.’’; 
(E) in subsection (g)— 
(i) by striking all that precedes ‘‘2 
percent’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) RESERVATION OF FUNDS FOR TECHNICAL AS-
SISTANCE.—The Secretary may reserve’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (h)’’ the 
2nd place it appears and inserting ‘‘section 
437(b)(6)’’; and 
(F) by striking subsection (h).
(2) 
RESERVATION
OF
DISCRETIONARY 
FUNDS.—Section 437(b) (42 U.S.C. 629g(b)), as 
amended by section 108(b) of this Act, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) KINSHIP
NAVIGATORS.—The Secretary 
shall reserve $10,000,000 for grants under section 
427 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
474(a)(7) (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(7)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘427(a)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘427(a)’’. 
SEC. 111. AVOIDING NEGLECT BY ADDRESSING POVERTY. 
(a) FAMILY
PRESERVATION
SERVICES.—Section 
431(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(1)), as amended by section 
110(a)(1) of this Act, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(H)(i) services providing nonrecurring 
short term benefits (including supports related 
to housing instability, utilities, transportation, 
and food assistance, among other basic needs) 
that address immediate needs related to a spe-
cific crisis, situation, or event affecting the abil-
ity of a child to remain in a home established 
for the child that is not intended to meet an on-
going need; and 
‘‘(ii) for purposes of this subpart, an ex-
penditure for a service described in clause (i) 
may be treated as an expenditure for any 1 or 
more of family support services, family preser-
vation services, family reunification services, or 
adoption promotion and support services as 
long as the expenditure is related to serving the 
children and families in the specified category 
and consistent with the overall purpose of the 
category.’’. 
(b) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—Section 432(a) 
(42 U.S.C. 629b(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(11) provides a description of policies in place, 
including training for employees, to address child 
welfare reports and investigations of neglect con-
cerning the living arrangements or subsistence needs 
of a child with the goal to prevent the separation of