HHS Guidance

This letter outlines new policy changes to allow videoconferencing for monthly caseworker visits due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to changes related to program improvement plans, title IV-E reviews, and more. 

The U.S. Children's Bureau released a letter for child welfare legal and judicial leaders on Friday, March 27 addressing priority court hearings, parent-child visitation and family time, access to services, and compelling reasons to refrain from filing a TPR petition after a child has been in care for 15 months.

This letter outlines changes to two formula grant opportunities: extending the application deadline for kinship navigator program funding and eliminating the application requirement for Family First Prevention Services Act Transition Grants. These changes are intended to ease administrative burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provides Children’s Bureau guidance on Stafford Act Flexibility for the fingerprint-based criminal record check and monthly caseworker visits be in the child’s residence requirements. 

A Letter from the Children's Bureau on the use of federal funds to assist with the purchase of cell phones and plans to facilitate and maintain contact, and to purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) as an allowable cost.