Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act
PL 112-34 (H.R.2883), enacted 09/30/2011

125 STAT. 369 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
Public Law 112–34 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend the child and 
family services program through fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Child and Family Services 
Improvement and Innovation Act’’. 
TITLE I—EXTENSION OF CHILD AND 
FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS 
SEC. 101. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES CHILD WELFARE SERVICES PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM.—Section 425 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 625) is amended by striking ‘‘2007 through 2011’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2016’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) 
RESPONSE
TO
EMOTIONAL
TRAUMA.—Section 
422(b)(15)(A)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(15)(A)(ii)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, including emotional trauma associated 
with a child’s maltreatment and removal from home’’ before 
the semicolon. 
(2) PROCEDURES ON THE USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICA-
TIONS.—Section 422(b)(15)(A)(v) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
622(b)(15)(A)(v)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, including protocols 
for the appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medica-
tions’’ before the semicolon. 
(3) DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS DEVELOPMENTAL 
NEEDS OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.—Section 422(b) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 622(b)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (16); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
(17) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(18) include a description of the activities that the State 
has undertaken to reduce the length of time children who 
have not attained 5 years of age are without a permanent 
family, and the activities the State undertakes to address the 
developmental needs of such children who receive benefits or 
services under this part or part E.’’. 
42 USC 1305 
note. 
Child and Family 
Services 
Improvement 
and Innovation 
Act. 
Sept. 30, 2011 
[H.R. 2883] 
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125 STAT. 370 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
(4) DATA SOURCES FOR CHILD DEATH REPORTING.—Section 
422(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 622(b)), as amended by paragraph 
(3) of this subsection, is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (17); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
(18) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(19) contain a description of the sources used to compile 
information on child maltreatment deaths required by Federal 
law to be reported by the State agency referred to in paragraph 
(1), and to the extent that the compilation does not include 
information on such deaths from the State vital statistics 
department, child death review teams, law enforcement agen-
cies, or offices of medical examiners or coroners, the State 
shall describe why the information is not so included and 
how the State will include the information.’’. 
(c) CHILD VISITATION BY CASEWORKERS.—Section 424 of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 624) is amended by striking the 2nd subsection 
(e), as added by section 7(b) of the Child and Family Services 
Improvement Act of 2006, and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f)(1)(A) Each State shall take such steps as are necessary 
to ensure that the total number of visits made by caseworkers 
on a monthly basis to children in foster care under the responsibility 
of the State during a fiscal year is not less than 90 percent (or, 
in the case of fiscal year 2015 or thereafter, 95 percent) of the 
total number of such visits that would occur during the fiscal 
year if each such child were so visited once every month while 
in such care. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary determines that a State has failed to 
comply with subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, then the percentage 
that would otherwise apply for purposes of subsection (a) for the 
fiscal year shall be reduced by— 
‘‘(i) 1, if the number of full percentage points by which 
the State fell short of the percentage specified in subparagraph 
(A) is less than 10; 
‘‘(ii) 3, if the number of full percentage points by which 
the State fell short, as described in clause (i), is not less 
than 10 and less than 20; or 
‘‘(iii) 5, if the number of full percentage points by which 
the State fell short, as described in clause (i), is not less 
than 20. 
‘‘(2)(A) Each State shall take such steps as are necessary to 
ensure that not less than 50 percent of the total number of visits 
made by caseworkers to children in foster care under the responsi-
bility of the State during a fiscal year occur in the residence 
of the child involved. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary determines that a State has failed to 
comply with subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, then the percentage 
that would otherwise apply for purposes of subsection (a) for the 
fiscal year shall be reduced by— 
‘‘(i) 1, if the number of full percentage points by which 
the State fell short of the percentage specified in subparagraph 
(A) is less than 10; 
‘‘(ii) 3, if the number of full percentage points by which 
the State fell short, as described in clause (i), is not less 
than 10 and less than 20; or 
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125 STAT. 371 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
‘‘(iii) 5, if the number of full percentage points by which 
the State fell short, as described in clause (i), is not less 
than 20.’’. 
(d) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 423(b) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 623(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘per centum’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘percent’’. 
SEC. 102. PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM. 
(a) EXTENSION OF FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 436(a) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 629f(a)) is amended by striking all that follows 
‘‘$345,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2016.’’. 
(2) DISCRETIONARY
GRANTS.—Section 437(a) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 629g(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007 through 2011’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2016’’. 
(b) TARGETING OF SERVICES TO POPULATIONS AT GREATEST RISK 
OF MALTREATMENT.—Section 432(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629b(a)) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (8); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (9) 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) describes how the State identifies which populations 
are at the greatest risk of maltreatment and how services 
are targeted to the populations.’’. 
(c) REVISED PURPOSES OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES AND TIME- 
LIMITED FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES.— 
(1) FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.—Section 431(a)(2) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘family support services’ 
means community-based services designed to carry out the 
purposes described in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(B) PURPOSES DESCRIBED.—The purposes described in 
this subparagraph are the following: 
‘‘(i) To promote the safety and well-being of chil-
dren and families. 
‘‘(ii) To increase the strength and stability of fami-
lies (including adoptive, foster, and extended families). 
‘‘(iii) To increase parents’ confidence and com-
petence in their parenting abilities. 
‘‘(iv) To afford children a safe, stable, and sup-
portive family environment. 
‘‘(v) To strengthen parental relationships and pro-
mote healthy marriages. 
‘‘(vi) To enhance child development, including 
through mentoring (as defined in section 439(b)(2)).’’. 
(2) TIME-LIMITED FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES.—Section 
431(a)(7)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(7)(B)) is amended 
by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (viii) and inserting after 
clause (v) the following: 
‘‘(vi) Peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups 
for parents and primary caregivers. 
‘‘(vii) Services and activities designed to facilitate 
access to and visitation of children by parents and 
siblings.’’. 
Definition. 
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125 STAT. 372 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
(d) UNIFORM
DEFINITIONS
OF
INDIAN
TRIBE
AND
TRIBAL 
ORGANIZATION.—Section 431(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(5) 
and (6)) is amended by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(5) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 428(c). 
‘‘(6) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘tribal organization’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 428(c).’’. 
(e) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS OF STATE SUMMARIES OF FINAN-
CIAL DATA; PUBLICATION ON HHS WEBSITE.—Section 432(c) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 629b(c)) is amended— 
(1) by striking all that precedes ‘‘shall’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF STATE REPORTS TO CONGRESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding after and below the end the following: 
‘‘(2) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED.—The compilation shall 
include the individual State reports and tables that synthesize 
State information into national totals for each element required 
to be included in the reports, including planned and actual 
spending by service category for the program authorized under 
this subpart and planned spending by service category for the 
program authorized under subpart 1. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY.—Not later than September 30 
of each year, the Secretary shall publish the compilation on 
the website of the Department of Health and Human Services 
in a location easily accessible by the public.’’. 
(f) GAO REPORT ON MULTIPLE SOURCES OF FEDERAL SPENDING 
AND FAMILY ACCESS TO SERVICES.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall submit to Congress a report that— 
(1) identifies alternative sources of Federal funding that 
are being employed by States or other entities for the same 
purposes for which funding is provided under subpart 1 or 
2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act; and 
(2) assesses the needs of families eligible for services under 
such program, including identification of underserved commu-
nities and information regarding— 
(A) the supports available for caseworkers to appro-
priately investigate and safely manage their caseloads; 
(B) the length of the wait time for families to receive 
substance abuse and other preventive services; and 
(C) the number of families on waiting lists for such 
services and the effect of the delay on healthy, successful 
reunification outcomes for such families. 
(g) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.— 
(1) Section 432(a)(8)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
629b(a)(8)(B)) is amended in each of clauses (i) and (ii) by 
striking ‘‘forms CFS 101–Part I and CFS 101–Part II (or any 
successor forms)’’ and inserting ‘‘form CFS–101 (including all 
parts and any successor forms)’’. 
(2) Section 433(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
629c(c)(2)) is amended— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘FOOD 
STAMP’’ and inserting ‘‘SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS’’; and 
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125 STAT. 373 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
(B) by striking ‘‘benefits benefits’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘benefits’’. 
SEC. 103. GRANTS FOR TARGETED PURPOSES. 
(a) EXTENSION OF FUNDING RESERVATIONS FOR MONTHLY CASE-
WORKER
VISITS
AND
REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIP
GRANTS.—Section 
436(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ‘‘433(e)’’ and all that 
follows and inserting ‘‘433(e) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2012 through 2016.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘437(f)’’ and all that follows 
and inserting ‘‘437(f) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2016.’’. 
(b) REVISION
IN
USE
OF
MONTHLY
CASEWORKER
VISITS 
GRANTS.—Section 
436(b)(4)(B)(i) 
of 
such 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C. 
629f(b)(4)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘support’’ and insert ‘‘improve the quality 
of’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘a primary emphasis’’ and all that follows 
and inserting ‘‘an emphasis on improving caseworker decision 
making on the safety, permanency, and well-being of foster 
children and on activities designed to increase retention, 
recruitment, and training of caseworkers.’’; and 
(c) REAUTHORIZATION OF REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS TO 
ASSIST CHILDREN AFFECTED
BY PARENTAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE.— 
(1) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM.—Section 437(f)(3)(A) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007 
through 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2016’’. 
(2) REVISIONS
TO
PROGRAM.—Section 437(f) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 629g(f)) is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘METH-
AMPHETAMINE OR OTHER’’; 
(B) in each of paragraphs (1), (4)(A), (7)(A)(i), and 
(9)(B)(iii), by striking ‘‘methamphetamine or other’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking subparagraph (B) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) REQUIRED MINIMUM PERIOD OF APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A grant shall be awarded under 
this subsection for a period of not less than 2, and 
not more than 5, fiscal years, subject to clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) EXTENSION OF GRANT.—On application of the 
grantee, the Secretary may extend for not more than 
2 fiscal years the period for which a grant is awarded 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(C) MULTIPLE
GRANTS
ALLOWED.—This subsection 
shall not be interpreted to prevent a grantee from applying 
for, or being awarded, separate grants under this sub-
section.’’; 
(D) in paragraph (6)(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause (ii); 
(ii) by striking the period at the end of clause 
(iii) and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) 70 percent for the sixth such fiscal year; and 
‘‘(v) 65 percent for the seventh such fiscal year.’’; 
(E) in paragraph (7)— 
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125 STAT. 374 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
(i) by striking ‘‘shall—’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘(A) take’’ and inserting ‘‘shall take’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(iv), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a period; 
(iii) by striking subparagraph (B); and 
(iv) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) of 
subparagraph (A) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), 
respectively, and moving each of such provisions 2 
ems to the left; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE 
EXPENSES OF THE SECRETARY.—Not more than 5 percent of 
the amounts appropriated or reserved for awarding grants 
under this subsection for each of fiscal years 2012 through 
2016 may be used by the Secretary for salaries and Department 
of Health and Human Services administrative expenses in 
administering this subsection.’’. 
(3) EVALUATIONS.—Not later than December 31, 2012, and 
not later than December 31, 2017, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services shall evaluate the effectiveness of the 
grants awarded to regional partnerships under section 437(f) 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)) and shall publish 
a report regarding the results of each evaluation on the website 
of the Department of Health and Human Services. Each report 
required to be published under this subsection shall include— 
(A) an evaluation of the programs and activities con-
ducted, and the services provided, with the grant funds 
awarded under such section for fiscal years 2007 through 
2011, in the case of the evaluation required by December 
31, 2012, and for fiscal years 2012 through 2016, in the 
case of the evaluation required by December 31, 2017; 
(B) an analysis of the regional partnerships awarded 
such grants that have, and have not, been successful in 
achieving the goals and outcomes specified in their grant 
applications and with respect to the performance indicators 
established by the Secretary under paragraph (8) of such 
section that are applicable to their grant awards; and 
(C) an analysis of the extent to which such grants 
have been successful in addressing the needs of families 
with methamphetamine or other substance abuse problems 
who come to the attention of the child welfare system 
and in achieving the goals of child safety, permanence, 
and family stability. 
SEC. 104. COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANT PURPOSES.—Section 438(a) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, including the requirements in the Act related 
to concurrent planning;’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) to increase and improve engagement of the entire 
family in court processes relating to child welfare, family 
preservation, family reunification, and adoption;’’; and 
Deadlines. 
Reports. 
Web posting. 
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125 STAT. 375 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ after ‘‘(4)’’; 
(B) by striking the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding after and below the end the following: 
‘‘(B) to increase and improve engagement of the entire 
family in court processes relating to child welfare, family 
preservation, family reunification, and adoption.’’. 
(b) SINGLE GRANT APPLICATION.—Section 438(b)(2) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 629h(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) SINGLE GRANT APPLICATION.—Pursuant to the require-
ments under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a highest State 
court desiring a grant under this section shall submit a single 
application to the Secretary that specifies whether the applica-
tion is for a grant for— 
‘‘(A) the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) 
of subsection (a); 
‘‘(B) the purpose described in subsection (a)(3); 
‘‘(C) the purpose described in subsection (a)(4); or 
‘‘(D) the purposes referred to in 2 or more (specifically 
identified) of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this para-
graph.’’. 
(c) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—Section 438(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
629h(c)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) AMOUNT OF GRANT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to each of subparagraphs 
(A), (B), and (C) of subsection (b)(2) that refers to 1 or more 
grant purposes for which an application of a highest State 
court is approved under this section, the court shall be entitled 
to payment, for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016, from 
the amount allocated under paragraph (3) of this subsection 
for grants for the purpose or purposes, of an amount equal 
to $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) of this 
subsection with respect to the purpose or purposes. 
‘‘(2) AMOUNT DESCRIBED.—The amount described in this 
paragraph for any fiscal year with respect to the purpose or 
purposes referred to in a subparagraph of subsection (b)(2) 
is the amount that bears the same ratio to the total of the 
amounts allocated under paragraph (3) of this subsection for 
grants for the purpose or purposes as the number of individuals 
in the State who have not attained 21 years of age bears 
to the total number of such individuals in all States the highest 
State courts of which have approved applications under this 
section for grants for the purpose or purposes. 
‘‘(3) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) MANDATORY
FUNDS.—Of the amounts reserved 
under section 436(b)(2) for any fiscal year, the Secretary 
shall allocate— 
‘‘(i) $9,000,000 for grants for the purposes 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a); 
‘‘(ii) $10,000,000 for grants for the purpose 
described in subsection (a)(3); 
‘‘(iii) $10,000,000 for grants for the purpose 
described in subsection (a)(4); and 
‘‘(iv) $1,000,000 for grants to be awarded on a 
competitive basis among the highest courts of Indian 
tribes or tribal consortia that— 
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125 STAT. 376 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
‘‘(I) are operating a program under part E, 
in accordance with section 479B; 
‘‘(II) are seeking to operate a program under 
part E and have received an implementation grant 
under section 476; or 
‘‘(III) has a court responsible for proceedings 
related to foster care or adoption. 
‘‘(B) DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.—The Secretary shall allo-
cate all of the amounts reserved under section 437(b)(2) 
for grants for the purposes described in paragraphs (1) 
and (2) of subsection (a).’’. 
(d) EXTENSION
OF FEDERAL SHARE.—Section 438(d) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘2002 through 
2011’’ and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2016’’. 
(e) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Effective as if included in the 
enactment of the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster 
Children Act of 2006, section 8(b) of such Act (120 Stat. 513) 
is amended by striking ‘‘438(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 638(b))’’ 
inserting ‘‘438(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(b)(1))’’. 
SEC. 105. DATA STANDARDIZATION FOR IMPROVED DATA MATCHING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part B of title IV of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 621–629i) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘Subpart 3—Common Provisions 
‘‘SEC. 440. DATA STANDARDIZATION FOR IMPROVED DATA MATCHING. 
‘‘(a) STANDARD DATA ELEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary, in consultation with an 
interagency work group established by the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget, and considering State perspectives, shall, 
by rule, designate standard data elements for any category 
of information required to be reported under this part. 
‘‘(2) DATA ELEMENTS MUST BE NONPROPRIETARY AND INTER-
OPERABLE.—The standard data elements designated under 
paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable, be nonproprietary 
and interoperable. 
‘‘(3) OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—In designating standard data 
elements under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the 
extent practicable, incorporate— 
‘‘(A) interoperable standards developed and maintained 
by an international voluntary consensus standards body, 
as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, such 
as the International Organization for Standardization; 
‘‘(B) interoperable standards developed and maintained 
by intergovernmental partnerships, such as the National 
Information Exchange Model; and 
‘‘(C) interoperable standards developed and maintained 
by Federal entities with authority over contracting and 
financial assistance, such as the Federal Acquisition Regu-
latory Council. 
‘‘(b) DATA STANDARDS FOR REPORTING.— 
Regulations. 
42 USC 629m. 
42 USC 629h. 
Effective date. 
42 USC 629h 
note. 
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125 STAT. 377 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
‘‘(1) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary, in consultation with an 
interagency work group established by the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget, and considering State government perspec-
tives, shall, by rule, designate data reporting standards to 
govern the reporting required under this part. 
‘‘(2) 
REQUIREMENTS.—The 
data 
reporting 
standards 
required by paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) incorporate a widely-accepted, non-proprietary, 
searchable, computer-readable format; 
‘‘(B) be consistent with and implement applicable 
accounting principles; and 
‘‘(C) be capable of being continually upgraded as nec-
essary. 
‘‘(3) INCORPORATION OF NONPROPRIETARY STANDARDS.—In 
designating reporting standards under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate existing non-
proprietary standards, such as the eXtensible Business 
Reporting Language.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on October 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect 
to information required to be reported on or after such date. 
SEC. 106. PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOSTER CARE OR ADOPTION. 
(a) EDUCATIONAL STABILITY FOR EACH FOSTER PLACEMENT.— 
Section 475(1)(G) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675(1)(G)) 
is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘the placement’’ and inserting 
‘‘each placement’’; and 
(2) in clause (ii)(I), by inserting ‘‘each’’ before ‘‘placement’’. 
(b) FOSTER YOUTH ID THEFT.—Section 475(5) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 675(5)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph (G); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(I) each child in foster care under the responsibility 
of the State who has attained 16 years of age receives 
without cost a copy of any consumer report (as defined 
in section 603(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act) per-
taining to the child each year until the child is discharged 
from care, and receives assistance (including, when feasible, 
from any court-appointed advocate for the child) in inter-
preting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report.’’. 
(c) DESCRIPTION OF ADOPTION SPENDING.—Section 473(a)(8) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 673(a)(8)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and 
shall document how such amounts are spent, including on post- 
adoption services’’ before the period. 
(d) INCLUSION IN ANNUAL REPORT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
ON CHILD VISITATION BY CASEWORKERS.—Section 479A(6) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 679b(6)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph (A); and 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph 
(C) and inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: 
‘‘(B) the total number of visits made by caseworkers 
on a monthly basis to children in foster care under the 
responsibility of the State during a fiscal year as a percent-
age of the total number of the visits that would occur 
Applicability. 
42 USC 629m 
note. 
Regulations. 
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125 STAT. 378 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
during the fiscal year if each child were so visited once 
every month while in such care; and’’. 
SEC. 107. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this title, 
this title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect 
on October 1, 2011, and shall apply to payments under parts B 
and E of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters 
beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether regula-
tions to implement the amendments are promulgated by such date. 
(b) DELAY PERMITTED IF STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRED.—If the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State 
legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required 
in order for a State plan developed pursuant to subpart 1 of part 
B, or a State plan approved under subpart 2 of part B or part 
E, of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional 
requirements imposed by the amendments made by this title, the 
plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional 
requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter begin-
ning after the first regular session of the State legislature that 
begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. If the State 
has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed 
to be a separate regular session of the State legislature. 
TITLE II—CHILD WELFARE 
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 
SEC. 201. RENEWAL OF AUTHORITY TO APPROVE DEMONSTRATION 
PROJECTS DESIGNED TO TEST INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES 
IN STATE CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS. 
Section 1130 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a– 
9) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—During fiscal years 2012 through 2014, 
the Secretary may authorize demonstration projects described 
in paragraph (1), with not more than 10 demonstration projects 
to be authorized in each fiscal year.’’. 
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) CONDITIONS FOR STATE ELIGIBILITY.—For purposes of 
a new demonstration project under this section that is initially 
approved in any of fiscal years 2012 through 2014, a State 
shall be authorized to conduct such demonstration project only 
if the State satisfies the following conditions: 
‘‘(A) IDENTIFY 1 OR MORE GOALS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The State shall demonstrate that 
the demonstration project is designed to accomplish 
1 or more of the following goals: 
‘‘(I) Increase permanency for all infants, chil-
dren, and youth by reducing the time in foster 
placements when possible and promoting a 
successful transition to adulthood for older youth. 
‘‘(II) Increase positive outcomes for infants, 
children, youth, and families in their homes and 
communities, including tribal communities, and 
Applicability. 
42 USC 622 note. 
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125 STAT. 379 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
improve the safety and well-being of infants, chil-
dren, and youth. 
‘‘(III) Prevent child abuse and neglect and the 
re-entry of infants, children, and youth into foster 
care. 
‘‘(ii) LONG-TERM THERAPEUTIC FAMILY TREATMENT 
CENTERS; 
ADDRESSING
DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE.—With 
respect to a demonstration project that is designed 
to accomplish 1 or more of the goals described in clause 
(i), the State may elect to establish a program— 
‘‘(I) to permit foster care maintenance pay-
ments to be made under part E of title IV to 
a long-term therapeutic family treatment center 
(as described in paragraph (8)(B)) on behalf of 
a child residing in the center; or 
‘‘(II) to identify and address domestic violence 
that endangers children and results in the place-
ment of children in foster care. 
‘‘(B) DEMONSTRATE READINESS.—The State shall dem-
onstrate through a narrative description the State’s 
capacity to effectively use the authority to conduct a dem-
onstration project under this section by identifying changes 
the State has made or plans to make in policies, procedures, 
or other elements of the State’s child welfare program 
that will enable the State to successfully achieve the goal 
or goals of the project. 
‘‘(C) DEMONSTRATE IMPLEMENTED OR PLANNED CHILD 
WELFARE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT POLICIES.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The State shall demonstrate that 
the State has implemented, or plans to implement 
within 3 years of the date on which the State submits 
its application to conduct the demonstration project 
or 2 years after the date on which the Secretary 
approves such demonstration project (whichever is 
later), at least 2 of the child welfare program improve-
ment policies described in paragraph (7). 
‘‘(ii) PREVIOUS IMPLEMENTATION.—For purposes of 
the requirement described in clause (i), at least 1 of 
the child welfare program improvement policies to be 
implemented by the State shall be a policy that the 
State has not previously implemented as of the date 
on which the State submits an application to conduct 
the demonstration project. 
‘‘(iii) IMPLEMENTATION
REVIEW.—The Secretary 
may terminate the authority of a State to conduct 
a demonstration project under this section if, after 
the 3-year period following approval of the demonstra-
tion project, the State has not made significant 
progress in implementing the child welfare program 
improvement policies proposed by the State under 
clause (i).’’; 
(C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘and the ability 
of the State to implement a corrective action plan approved 
under section 1123A’’ before the period; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) INAPPLICABILITY OF RANDOM ASSIGNMENT FOR CONTROL 
GROUPS
AS
A
FACTOR
FOR
APPROVAL
OF
DEMONSTRATION 
Deadline. 
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125 STAT. 380 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
PROJECTS.—For purposes of evaluating an application to con-
duct a demonstration project under this section, the Secretary 
shall not take into consideration whether such project requires 
random assignment of children and families to groups served 
under the project and to control groups. 
‘‘(7) CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT POLICIES.— 
For purposes of paragraph (3)(C), the child welfare program 
improvement policies described in this paragraph are the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) The establishment of a bill of rights for infants, 
children, and youth in foster care that is widely shared 
and clearly outlines protections for infants, children, and 
youth, such as assuring frequent visits with parents, sib-
lings, and caseworkers, access to attorneys, and participa-
tion in age-appropriate extracurricular activities, and 
procedures for ensuring the protections are provided. 
‘‘(B) The development and implementation of a plan 
for meeting the health and mental health needs of infants, 
children, and youth in foster care that includes ensuring 
that the provision of health and mental health care is 
child-specific, comprehensive, appropriate, and consistent 
(through means such as ensuring the infant, child, or youth 
has a medical home, regular wellness medical visits, and 
addressing the issue of trauma, when appropriate). 
‘‘(C) The inclusion in the State plan under section 
471 of an amendment implementing the option under sub-
section (a)(28) of that section to enter into kinship 
guardianship assistance agreements. 
‘‘(D) The election under the State plan under section 
471 to define a ‘child’ for purposes of the provision of 
foster care maintenance payments, adoption assistance pay-
ments, and kinship guardianship assistance payments, so 
as to include individuals described in each of subclauses 
(I), (II), and (III) of section 475(8)(B)(i) who have not 
attained age 21. 
‘‘(E) The development and implementation of a plan 
that ensures congregate care is used appropriately and 
reduces the placement of children and youth in such care. 
‘‘(F) Of those infants, children, and youth in out-of- 
home placements, substantially increasing the number of 
cases of siblings who are in the same foster care, kinship 
guardianship, or adoptive placement, above the number 
of such cases in fiscal year 2008. 
‘‘(G) The development and implementation of a plan 
to improve the recruitment and retention of high quality 
foster family homes trained to help assist infants, children, 
and youth swiftly secure permanent families. Supports for 
foster families under such a plan may include increasing 
maintenance payments to more adequately meet the needs 
of infants, children, and youth in foster care and expanding 
training, respite care, and other support services for foster 
parents. 
‘‘(H) The establishment of procedures designed to assist 
youth as they prepare for their transition out of foster 
care, such as arranging for participation in age-appropriate 
extra-curricular activities, providing appropriate access to 
cell phones, computers, and opportunities to obtain a 
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125 STAT. 381 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
driver’s license, providing notification of all sibling place-
ments if siblings are in care and sibling location if siblings 
are out of care, and providing counseling and financial 
support for post-secondary education. 
‘‘(I) The inclusion in the State plan under section 471 
of a description of State procedures for— 
‘‘(i) ensuring that youth in foster care who have 
attained age 16 are engaged in discussions, including 
during the development of the transition plans required 
under paragraphs (1)(D) and (5)(H) of section 475, 
that explore whether the youth wishes to reconnect 
with the youth’s biological family, including parents, 
grandparents, and siblings, and, if so, what skills and 
strategies the youth will need to successfully and safely 
reconnect with those family members; 
‘‘(ii) providing appropriate guidance and services 
to youth whom affirm an intent to reconnect with 
biological family members on how to successfully and 
safely manage such reconnections; and 
‘‘(iii) making, when appropriate, efforts to include 
biological family members in such reconnection efforts. 
‘‘(J) The establishment of one or more of the following 
programs designed to prevent infants, children, and youth 
from entering foster care or to provide permanency for 
infants, children, and youth in foster care: 
‘‘(i) An intensive family finding program. 
‘‘(ii) A kinship navigator program. 
‘‘(iii) A family counseling program, such as a family 
group decision-making program, and which may 
include in-home peer support for families. 
‘‘(iv) A comprehensive family-based substance 
abuse treatment program. 
‘‘(v) A program under which special efforts are 
made to identify and address domestic violence that 
endangers infants, children, and youth and puts them 
at risk of entering foster care. 
‘‘(vi) A mentoring program. 
‘‘(8) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection— 
‘‘(A) the term ‘youth’ means, with respect to a State, 
an individual who has attained age 12 but has not attained 
the age at which an individual is no longer considered 
to be a child under the State plans under parts B and 
E of title IV, and 
‘‘(B) the term ‘long-term therapeutic family treatment 
center’ means a State licensed or certified program that 
enables parents and their children to live together in a 
safe environment for a period of not less than 6 months 
and provides, on-site or by referral, substance abuse treat-
ment services, children’s early intervention services, family 
counseling, legal services, medical care, mental health serv-
ices, nursery and preschool, parenting skills training, pedi-
atric care, prenatal care, sexual abuse therapy, relapse 
prevention, transportation, and job or vocational training 
or classes leading to a secondary school diploma or a certifi-
cate of general equivalence.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) DURATION OF DEMONSTRATION.— 
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125 STAT. 382 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), a demonstra-
tion project under this section may be conducted for not more 
than 5 years, unless in the judgment of the Secretary, the 
demonstration project should be allowed to continue. 
‘‘(2) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—In no event shall a dem-
onstration project under this section be conducted after Sep-
tember 30, 2019.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(which shall provide,’’ 
and all that follows before the semicolon; 
(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (6); 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); 
and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: 
‘‘(7) an accounting of any additional Federal, State, and 
local investments made, as well as any private investments 
made in coordination with the State, during the 2 fiscal years 
preceding the application to provide the services described in 
paragraph (1), and an assurance that the State will provide 
an accounting of that same spending for each year of an 
approved demonstration project; and’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); 
(5) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) EVALUATIONS.—Each State authorized to conduct a dem-
onstration project under this section shall obtain an evaluation 
by an independent contractor of the effectiveness of the project, 
using an evaluation design approved by the Secretary which pro-
vides for— 
‘‘(1) comparison of methods of service delivery under the 
project, and such methods under a State plan or plans, with 
respect to efficiency, economy, and any other appropriate meas-
ures of program management; 
‘‘(2) comparison of outcomes for children and families (and 
groups of children and families) under the project, and such 
outcomes under a State plan or plans, for purposes of assessing 
the effectiveness of the project in achieving program goals; 
and 
‘‘(3) any other information that the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(g) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) STATE
REPORTS; PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—Each State 
authorized to conduct a demonstration project under this sec-
tion shall— 
‘‘(A) submit periodic reports to the Secretary on the 
specific programs, activities, and strategies used to improve 
outcomes for infants, children, youth, and families and 
the results achieved for infants, children, and youth during 
the conduct of the demonstration project, including with 
respect to those infants, children, and youth who are pre-
vented from entering foster care, infants, children, and 
youth in foster care, and infants, children, and youth who 
move from foster care to permanent families; and 
‘‘(B) post a copy of each such report on the website 
for the State child welfare program concurrent with the 
submission of the report to the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate— 
Web posting. 
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125 STAT. 383 
PUBLIC LAW 112–34—SEPT. 30, 2011 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2883: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 112–210, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Ways and Means). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 157 (2011): 
Sept. 21, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 22, considered and passed Senate. 
‘‘(A) periodic reports based on the State reports sub-
mitted under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) a report based on the results of the State evalua-
tions required under subsection (f) that includes an analysis 
of the results of such evaluations and such recommenda-
tions for administrative or legislative changes as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate.’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) INDIAN TRIBES OPERATING IV–E PROGRAMS CONSIDERED 
STATES.—An Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium 
that has elected to operate a program under part E of title IV 
in accordance with section 479B shall be considered a State for 
purposes of this section.’’. 
TITLE III—BUDGET PROVISIONS 
SEC. 301. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined 
by reference to the latest statement titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of 
PAYGO Legislation’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in the 
Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Com-
mittee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior 
to the vote on passage. 
Approved September 30, 2011. 
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