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Audit of States' Efforts To Locate IV-E Eligible Children Missing From Foster Care

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act established the Federal Foster Care Program, which helps States provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children who meet certain eligibility requirements until they are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families, or placed in other planned arrangements. We will examine whether States' reporting of their missing foster children is in accordance with Federal and State requirements. We will conduct a survey to determine the approaches that State agencies have adopted pertaining to missing Title IV-E foster children for the period July 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020. Our objective is to determine whether selected State agencies are in compliance with Federal and State regulations pertaining to reporting and locating missing Title IV-E foster children to ensure the safe return of each child. Also, we will analyze historical data concerning missing foster children to determine whether there is a correlation between missing Title IV-E foster children and State agencies' policies and procedures.

Announced or Revised Agency Title Component Report Number(s) Expected Issue Date (FY)
October 2020 Administration for Children and Families Audit of States' Efforts To Locate IV-E Eligible Children Missing From Foster Care Office of Audit Services W-00-20-20027;
W-00-21-20027		 2021