Background

The purpose of this procedure letter is to provide time-sensitive guidance to Title IV-E agencies due to the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act on December 27, 2020.

Preventing Aging Out of Foster Care During the Pandemic

The Consolidated Appropriations Act prohibits states from requiring a child to leave foster care solely due to their age to ensure no young person is removed from critical housing and support services during the COVID-19 public health emergency period of April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. Children may not be found ineligible for Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) payments solely due to age, during the public health emergency period.

Title IV-E FCM payments for youth who remain eligible for such payments because of the suspension of requirements that a youth graduate before the age of 19, or that a youth be enrolled in post-secondary education or training program, will be eligible for federal match of administrative and maintenance costs up to age 22. Funds are available for this purpose through the end of FY2021.

Any youth that has or will reach age 18 during the public health emergency period of April 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, that remains in the legal responsibility for the care and placement/custody of a IV-E agency may continue receiving FCM payments. The eligibility record for a youth turning age 18 in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) will not be terminated.  For youth whose eligibility records have been terminated because of their age or graduation date, SACWIS staff will be in contact with impacted agencies to provide a list of impacted youth and the next steps for the agency to continue to receive FCM payments.

If there are questions regarding this extension, please contact the SACWIS helpdesk at (800) 686-1580 Option 3, Option 5.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials should be deleted from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and what materials are to be inserted in the FCASM.