Federal, State, and local laws and policies guide how child welfare agencies fund services and supports to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.
Child welfare legislation may be specific to States, Territories, and Tribes, with each jurisdiction having its own set of laws and policies. However, States must align their child welfare practices with Federal laws in the United States. Child welfare funding comes from a mix of Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal, local, and private sources, with the Federal government offering significant support for foster care, adoption, and other services.
Some sources of Federal funding, such as Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, are dedicated to child welfare. Under title IV-E, the Federal government reimburses States for providing foster care to children. States may use title IV-B funds for services to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect. Other funding sources for child welfare include the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which provides funding to States to assist low-income families with children.
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