HHS Approves Child Welfare Waivers For Five States

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced child welfare waiver demonstration projects for California, Florida, Iowa, Michigan and Virginia. The waivers are intended to help states design innovative and flexible approaches to keep children safe from abuse and neglect, to help families address problems that place their children at risk, and to help children in foster care return safely to their own homes or to find safe and permanent homes with an adoptive family, relatives or other guardians with whom they have a close bond.

“All children need permanent and stable homes to develop into healthy, responsible citizens,” said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. “By granting these waivers, the Bush Administration is providing greater flexibility to states and greater hope to children.

Two other newly approved waiver demonstrations will enable Iowa and Virginia to use federal foster care funds to pay monthly subsidies to families who assume legal guardianship of children who would otherwise remain in the custody of the state. In order to use these funds, legal guardianships must be established by a court order transferring custody of the child from the state to the family. Families and children participating in these demonstrations will also qualify for additional services such as support groups, respite care and recreational activities for children and families. Read more at hhs.gov