Review of Title IV-E Waiver Opportunity June 25, 2012

Agenda Waiver background Rationale for MA to apply Waiver requirements The MA proposal Some questions/points of discussion

Waiver Background

Key Terms Title IV-E is a federal entitlement program that reimburses states for the maintenance costs of caring for Title IV-E eligible children (e.g. food, clothing, shelter), as well as eligible administrative costs expended by states to provide those services.  For most eligible expenditures, the federal government reimburses the Commonwealth at a rate of 50%. Foster Care is federally defined as “24-hour substitute care for children outside their own homes.” * In this case, Foster Care includes Departmental Foster Care, Intensive Foster Care, and Congregate Care Penetration Rate (also known as the Eligibility Rate) “represents the percentage of children in out-of-home placements for which a state received Title IV-E reimbursement from the federal government for foster care maintenance payments.”# More simply, it is the percent of Title IV-E eligible children served by the state. * http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.pdf # http://www.childwelfarepolicy.org/resources?id=0006

History of the Waiver

New Waiver Opportunity Title IV-E Waivers were authorized by the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (2011). Authorizes up to 10 new child welfare waiver demonstration projects in each of federal fiscal years 2012, 2013, 2014. Each waiver can be approved up to five years with extension possibilities through September 2019. Support innovative strategies for child welfare services by allowing flexible use of Title IV-E funds.

Massachusetts Waiver Process

Rationale for a Massachusetts Application

MA Foster Care Placement Population ’06-’11* * Department of Children and Families Quarterly Reports, http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/researcher/family- services/dcf/dcf-quarterly-reports.html

Five-Year IV-E Eligible State Foster Care Expenditures* * Quarterly Title IV-E Claims submitted to ACF; FFY 2007-2011

Waiver Impact The waiver offers an opportunity for revenue preservation, not revenue enhancement. A waiver would offer Massachusetts the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for expenditures which would otherwise be ineligible for Title IV-E reimbursement, such as the state’s investment in community services. The only way the waiver project generates this opportunity to receive reimbursement is if the waiver project reduces spending on foster care. Then, and only then, can these typically ineligible expenditures be claimed to Title IV-E for reimbursement.

Waiver Requirements

Waiver Goals per Legislation PCG Human Services 12/9/2019 Waiver Goals per Legislation Applicants must demonstrate that the project is designed to accomplish one or more of the following goals: Increase permanency by reducing time in foster care and promote successful transition to adulthood for older youth Increase positive outcomes and safety for children in their homes and communities, and improve the safety and well-being of children Prevent child abuse and neglect and reentry into foster care www.pcghumanservices.com

ACF’s Waiver Priorities* PCG Human Services 12/9/2019 ACF’s Waiver Priorities* ACF will give priority to projects that test or implement approaches that will: “Produce positive well-being outcomes … with particular attention to addressing .. trauma …” “Enhance the social and emotional well-being of children and youth who are available for adoption … or have been adopted …” “Yield more than modest improvements … and contribute to the evidence base” “Leverage the involvement of other resources and partners … including proposals to establish financial incentives based on achievement of positive … outcomes” * “Finding Meaning in your Data: Strategies for Identifying a Waiver Initiative”, Children’s Bureau Data Team, May 18, 2012 www.pcghumanservices.com

The Massachusetts Proposal: Caring Together

Caring Together Under the Caring Together initiative, four new service models will be added to DCF’s system of care for children at risk of needing, preparing to exit, or recently exited from congregate care: Follow Along Stepping Out Continuum Family Partners The models will all provide support services and continuity of care between placement and community, to improve transitions into the community, improve placement stability, and prevent re-entry or entry to congregate care.

Caring Together and Waiver Goals PCG Human Services 12/9/2019 Caring Together and Waiver Goals Increase permanency and successful transition to adulthood Increase positive outcomes and well-being Prevent reentry  Caring Together addresses all three of these goals through a suite of community-based services that will support children’s transitions to community or home, reduce reentry to care, and improve placement stability.   www.pcghumanservices.com

Caring Together and Waiver Priorities PCG Human Services 12/9/2019 Caring Together and Waiver Priorities Caring Together: Will be conducted in association with Massachusetts Child Trauma Project Will enhance well-being for children and youth served under the Caring Together suite of services Will contribute to the evidence base supported by in the Building Bridges Initiative framework Will be jointly procured with DMH  Positive well-being outcomes, especially addressing trauma Focus on well-being of children available for adoption or adopted Contribute to the child welfare evidence base Leverage other resources and partners    www.pcghumanservices.com

Discussion