,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bec ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #d1 #bjag,mr4 ,buchanan 7for himself and ,mr4 ,levin7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means ,a ,,bill ,to amend parts ,b and ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act to invest in funding prevention and family services to help keep children safe and supported at home1 to ensure that children in foster care are placed in the least restrictive1 most family-like1 and appropriate settings1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,family ,first ,prevention ,services ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #b4 ,table of contents4 ,title ,i--,investing in ,prevention and ,family ,services ,sec4 #aja4 ,purpose4 ,subtitle ,a--,prevention ,activities under ,title ,,iv-,e ,sec4 #aaa4 ,foster care prevention services and programs4 ,sec4 #aab4 ,foster care maintenance payments for children with parents in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse4 ,sec4 #aac4 ,title ,,iv-,e payments for evidence-based kinship navigator programs4 ,subtitle ,b--,enhanced support under ,title ,,iv-,b ,sec4 #aba4 ,elimination of time limit for family reunification services while in foster care and permitting time-limited family reunification services when a child returns home from foster care4 ,sec4 #abb4 ,reducing bureaucracy and unnecessary delays when placing children in homes across ,state lines4 ,sec4 #abc4 ,enhancements to grants to improve well-being of families affected by substance abuse4 ,subtitle ,c--,miscellaneous ,sec4 #aca4 ,reviewing and improving licensing standards for placement in a relative foster family home4 ,sec4 #acb4 ,development of a statewide plan to prevent child abuse and neglect fatalities4 ,sec4 #acc4 ,modernizing the title and purpose of title ,,iv-,e4 ,sec4 #acd4 ,effective dates4 ,title ,,ii--,ensuring the ,necessity of a ,placement that is not in a ,foster ,family ,home ,sec4 #bja4 ,limitation on ,federal financial participation for placements that are not in foster family homes4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,assessment and documentation of the need for placement in a qualified residential treatment program4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,protocols to prevent inappropriate diagnoses4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,additional data and reports regarding children placed in a setting that is not a foster family home4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,effective dates2 application to waivers4 ,title ,,iii--,continuing ,support for ,child and ,family ,services ,sec4 #cja4 ,supporting and retaining foster families for children4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,extension of child and family services programs4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,improvements to the ,john ,h4 ,chafee foster care independence program and related provisions4 ,title ,,iv--,continuing ,incentives to ,states to ,promote ,adoption and ,legal ,guardianship ,sec4 #dja4 ,reauthorizing adoption and legal guardianship incentive programs4 ,title ,v--,technical ,corrections ,sec4 #eja4 ,technical corrections to data exchange standards to improve program coordination4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,technical corrections to ,state requirement to address the developmental needs of young children4 ,title ,,vi--,ensuring ,states reinvest savings resulting from increase in adoption assistance ,sec4 #fja4 ,delay of adoption assistance phase-in4 ,sec4 #fjb4 ,,gao study and report on ,state reinvestment of savings resulting from increase in adoption assistance4 ,i ,investing in ,prevention and ,family ,services #aja4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this title is to enable ,states to use ,federal funds available under parts ,b and ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements through the provision of mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services1 in-home parent skill-based programs1 and kinship navigator services4 ,a ,prevention ,activities under ,title ,,iv-,e #aaa4 ,foster care prevention services and programs 7a7 ,state option ,section #dga of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fga7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a71 by striking and and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting 1 adoption assistance in accordance with section #dgc1 and1 at the option of the ,state1 services or programs specified in subsection 7e77#a7 of this section for children who are candidates for foster care or who are pregnant or parenting foster youth and the parents or kin caregivers of the children1 in accordance with the requirements of that subsection22 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,prevention and family services and programs 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection1 the ,secretary may make a payment to a ,state for providing the following services or programs for a child described in paragraph 7#b7 and the parents or kin caregivers of the child when the need of the child1 such a parent1 or such a caregiver for the services or programs are directly related to the safety1 permanence1 or well-being of the child or to preventing the child from entering foster care3 7,a7 ,mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services ,mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services provided by a qualified clinician for not more than a #ab-month period that begins on any date described in paragraph 7#c7 with respect to the child4 7,b7 ,in-home parent skill-based programs ,in-home parent skill-based programs for not more than a #ab-month period that begins on any date described in paragraph 7#c7 with respect to the child and that include parenting skills training1 parent education1 and individual and family counseling4 7#b7 ,child described ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a71 a child described in this paragraph is the following3 7,a7 ,a child who is a candidate for foster care 7as defined in section #dge7ac77 but can remain safely at home or in a kinship placement with receipt of services or programs specified in paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,a child in foster care who is a pregnant or parenting foster youth4 7#c7 ,date described ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a71 the dates described in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,the date on which a child is identified in a prevention plan maintained under paragraph 7#d7 as a child who is a candidate for foster care 7as defined in section #dge7ac774 7,b7 ,the date on which a child is identified in a prevention plan maintained under paragraph 7#d7 as a pregnant or parenting foster youth in need of services or programs specified in paragraph 7#a74 7#d7 ,requirements related to providing services and programs ,services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 may be provided under this subsection only if specified in advance in the child's prevention plan described in subparagraph 7,a7 and the requirements in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e7 are met3 7,a7 ,prevention plan ,the ,state maintains a written prevention plan for the child that meets the following requirements 7as applicable73 7i7 ,candidates ,in the case of a child who is a candidate for foster care described in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 the prevention plan shall-- 7,i7 identify the foster care prevention strategy for the child so that the child may remain safely at home1 live temporarily with a kin caregiver until reunification can be safely achieved1 or live permanently with a kin caregiver2 7,,ii7 list the services or programs to be provided to or on behalf of the child to ensure the success of that prevention strategy2 and 7,,iii7 comply with such other requirements as the ,secretary shall establish4 7ii7 ,pregnant or parenting foster youth ,in the case of a child who is a pregnant or parenting foster youth described in paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the prevention plan shall-- 7,i7 be included in the child's case plan required under section #dge7a72 7,,ii7 list the services or programs to be provided to or on behalf of the youth to ensure that the youth is prepared 7in the case of a pregnant foster youth7 or able 7in the case of a parenting foster youth7 to be a parent2 7,,iii7 describe the foster care prevention strategy for any child born to the youth2 and 7,,iv7 comply with such other requirements as the ,secretary shall establish4 7,b7 ,trauma-informed ,the services or programs to be provided to or on behalf of a child are provided under an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding1 recognizing1 and responding to the effects of all types of trauma and in accordance with recognized principles of a trauma-informed approach and trauma-specific interventions to address trauma's consequences and facilitate healing4 7,c7 ,only services and programs provided in accordance with promising1 supported1 or well-supported practices permitted 7i7 ,in general ,only ,state expenditures for services or programs specified in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of paragraph 7#a7 that are provided in accordance with practices that meet the requirements specified in clause 7ii7 of this subparagraph and that meet the requirements specified in clause 7iii71 7iv71 or 7v71 respectively1 for being a promising1 supported1 or well-supported practice1 shall be eligible for a ,federal matching payment under section #dgd7;a77#f77;,a74 7ii7 ,general practice requirements ,the general practice requirements specified in this clause are the following3 7,i7 ,the practice has a book1 manual1 or other available writings that specify the components of the practice protocol and describe how to administer the practice4 7,,ii7 ,there is no empirical basis suggesting that1 compared to its likely benefits1 the practice constitutes a risk of harm to those receiving it4 7,,iii7 ,if multiple outcome studies have been conducted1 the overall weight of evidence supports the benefits of the practice4 7,,iv7 ,outcome measures are reliable and valid1 and are administrated consistently and accurately across all those receiving the practice4 7,v7 ,there is no case data suggesting a risk of harm that was probably caused by the treatment and that was severe or frequent4 7iii7 ,promising practice ,a practice shall be considered to be a promising practice if the practice is superior to an appropriate comparison practice using conventional standards of statistical significance 7in terms of demonstrated meaningful improvements in validated measures of important child and parent outcomes1 such as mental health1 substance abuse1 and child safety and well-being71 as established by the results or outcomes of at least one study that-- 7,i7 was rated by an independent systematic review for the quality of the study design and execution and determined to be well-designed and well-executed2 and 7,,ii7 utilized some form of control 7such as an untreated group1 a placebo group1 or a wait list study74 7iv7 ,supported practice ,a practice shall be considered to be a supported practice if-- 7,i7 the practice is superior to an appropriate comparison practice using conventional standards of statistical significance 7in terms of demonstrated meaningful improvements in validated measures of important child and parent outcomes1 such as mental health1 substance abuse1 and child safety and well-being71 as established by the results or outcomes of at least one study that-- 7aa7 was rated by an independent systematic review for the quality of the study design and execution and determined to be well-designed and well-executed2 7bb7 was a rigorous random-controlled trial 7or1 if not available1 a study using a rigorous quasi-experimental research design72 and 7cc7 was carried out in a usual care or practice setting2 and 7,,ii7 the study described in subclause 7,i7 established that the practice has a sustained effect 7when compared to a control group7 for at least #f months beyond the end of the treatment4 7v7 ,well-supported practice ,a practice shall be considered to be a well-supported practice if-- 7,i7 the practice is superior to an appropriate comparison practice using conventional standards of statistical significance 7in terms of demonstrated meaningful improvements in validated measures of important child and parent outcomes1 such as mental health1 substance abuse1 and child safety and well-being71 as established by the results or outcomes of at least two studies that-- 7aa7 were rated by an independent systematic review for the quality of the study design and execution and determined to be well-designed and well-executed2 7bb7 were rigorous random-controlled trials 7or1 if not available1 studies using a rigorous quasi-experimental research design72 and 7cc7 were carried out in a usual care or practice setting2 and 7,,ii7 at least one of the studies described in subclause 7,i7 established that the practice has a sustained effect 7when compared to a control group7 for at least #a year beyond the end of treatment4 7,d7 ,guidance on practices criteria and pre-approved services and programs 7i7 ,in general ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary shall issue guidance to ,states regarding the practices criteria required for services or programs to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph 7,c74 ,the guidance shall include a pre-approved list of services and programs that satisfy the requirements4 7ii7 ,updates ,the ,secretary shall issue updates to the guidance required by clause 7i7 as often as the ,secretary determines necessary4 7,e7 ,outcome assessment and reporting ,the ,state shall collect and report to the ,secretary the following information with respect to each child for whom1 or on whose behalf mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services or in-home parent skill-based programs are provided during a #ab-month period beginning on the date the child is determined by the ,state to be a child described in paragraph 7#b73 7i7 ,the specific services or programs provided and the total expenditures for each of the services or programs4 7ii7 ,the duration of the services or programs provided4 7iii7 ,in the case of a child described in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 the child's placement status at the beginning1 and at the end1 of the #a-year period1 respectively1 and whether the child entered foster care within #b years after being determined a candidate for foster care4 7#e7 ,state plan component 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state electing to provide services or programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 shall submit as part of the ,state plan required by subsection 7a7 a prevention services and programs plan component that meets the requirements of subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,prevention services and programs plan component ,in order to meet the requirements of this subparagraph1 a prevention services and programs plan component1 with respect to each #e-year period for which the plan component is in operation in the ,state1 shall include the following3 7i7 ,how providing services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 is expected to improve specific outcomes for children and families4 7ii7 ,how the ,state will monitor and oversee the safety of children who receive services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a71 including through periodic risk assessments throughout the period in which the services and programs are provided on behalf of a child and reexamination of the prevention plan maintained for the child under paragraph 7#d7 for the provision of the services or programs if the ,state determines the risk of the child entering foster care remains high despite the provision of the services or programs4 7iii7 ,with respect to the services and programs specified in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#a71 information on the specific promising1 supported1 or well-supported practices the ,state plans to use to provide the services or programs1 including a description of-- 7,i7 the services or programs and whether the practices used are promising1 supported1 or well-supported2 7,,ii7 how the ,state plans to implement the services or programs1 including how implementation of the services or programs will be continuously monitored to ensure fidelity to the practice model and to determine outcomes achieved and how information learned from the monitoring will be used to refine and improve practices2 7,,iii7 how the ,state selected the services or programs2 7,,iv7 the target population for the services or programs2 and 7,v7 how each service or program provided will be evaluated through a well-designed and rigorous process1 which may consist of an ongoing1 cross-site evaluation approved by the ,secretary4 7iv7 ,a description of the consultation that the ,state agencies responsible for administering the ,state plans under this part and part ,b engage in with other ,state agencies responsible for administering health programs1 including mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services1 and with other public and private agencies with experience in administering child and family services1 including community-based organizations1 in order to foster a continuum of care for children described in paragraph 7#b7 and their parents or kin caregivers4 7v7 ,a description of how the ,state shall assess children and their parents or kin caregivers to determine eligibility for services or programs specified in paragraph 7#a74 7vi7 ,a description of how the services or programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 that are provided for or on behalf of a child and the parents or kin caregivers of the child will be coordinated with other child and family services provided to the child and the parents or kin caregivers of the child under the ,state plan under part ,b4 7vii7 ,descriptions of steps the ,state is taking to support and enhance a competent1 skilled1 and professional child welfare workforce to deliver trauma-informed and evidence-based services1 including-- 7,i7 ensuring that staff is qualified to provide services or programs that are consistent with the promising1 supported1 or well-supported practice models selected2 and 7,,ii7 developing appropriate prevention plans1 and conducting the risk assessments required under clause 7iii74 7viii7 ,a description of how the ,state will provide training and support for caseworkers in assessing what children and their families need1 connecting to the families served1 knowing how to access and deliver the needed trauma-informed and evidence-based services1 and overseeing and evaluating the continuing appropriateness of the services4 7ix7 ,a description of how caseload size and type for prevention caseworkers will be determined1 managed1 and overseen4 7x7 ,an assurance that the ,state will report to the ,secretary such information and data as the ,secretary may require with respect to the provision of services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a71 including information and data necessary to determine the performance measures for the ,state under paragraph 7#f7 and compliance with paragraph 7#g74 7,c7 ,reimbursement for services under the prevention plan component 7i7 ,limitation ,except as provided in subclause 7ii71 a ,state may not receive a ,federal payment under this part for a given promising1 supported1 or well-supported practice unless 7in accordance with subparagraph 7,b77iii77,v77 the plan includes a well-designed and rigorous evaluation strategy for that practice4 7ii7 ,waiver of limitation ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement for a well-designed and rigorous evaluation of any well-supported practice if the ,secretary deems the evidence of the effectiveness of the practice to be compelling and the ,state meets the continuous quality improvement requirements included in subparagraph 7,b77iii77,,ii7 with regard to the practice4 7#f7 ,prevention services measures 7,a7 ,establishment2 annual updates ,beginning with fiscal year #bjba1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall establish the following prevention services measures based on information and data reported by ,states that elect to provide services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a73 7i7 ,percentage of candidates for foster care who do not enter foster care ,the percentage of candidates for foster care for whom1 or on whose behalf1 the services or programs are provided who do not enter foster care1 including those placed with a kin caregiver outside of foster care1 during the #ab-month period in which the services or programs are provided and through the end of the succeeding #ab-month period4 7ii7 ,per-child spending ,the total amount of expenditures made for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services or in-home parent skill-based programs1 respectively1 for1 or on behalf of1 each child described in paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,data ,the ,secretary shall establish and annually update the prevention services measures-- 7i7 based on the median ,state values of the information reported under each clause of subparagraph 7,a7 for the #c then most recent years2 and 7ii7 taking into account ,state differences in the price levels of consumption goods and services using the most recent regional price parities published by the ,bureau of ,economic ,analysis of the ,department of ,commerce or such other data as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7,c7 ,publication of ,state prevention services measures ,the ,secretary shall annually make available to the public the prevention services measures of each ,state4 7#g7 ,maintenance of effort for ,state foster care prevention expenditures 7,a7 ,in general ,if a ,state elects to provide services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 for a fiscal year1 the ,state foster care prevention expenditures for the fiscal year shall not be less than the amount of the expenditures for fiscal year #bjad4 7,b7 ,state foster care prevention expenditures ,the term ,state foster care prevention expenditures means the following3 7i7 ,,tanf2 ,,iv-,b2 ,,ssbg ,state expenditures for foster care prevention services and activities under the ,state program funded under part ,a 7including from amounts made available by the ,federal ,government71 under the ,state plan developed under part ,b 7including any such amounts71 or under the ,social ,services ,block ,grant ,programs under subtitle ,a of title ,,xx 7including any such amounts74 7ii7 ,other ,state programs ,state expenditures for foster care prevention services and activities under any ,state program that is not described in clause 7i7 7other than any ,state expenditures for foster care prevention services and activities under the ,state program under this part 7including under a waiver of the program774 7,c7 ,state expenditures ,the term ,state expenditures means all ,state or local funds that are expended by the ,state or a local agency including ,state or local funds that are matched or reimbursed by the ,federal ,government and ,state or local funds that are not matched or reimbursed by the ,federal ,government4 7,d7 ,determination of prevention services and activities ,the ,secretary shall require each ,state that elects to provide services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 to report the expenditures specified in subparagraph 7,b7 for fiscal year #bjad and for such fiscal years thereafter as are necessary to determine whether the ,state is complying with the maintenance of effort requirement in subparagraph 7,a74 ,the ,secretary shall specify the specific services and activities under each program referred to in subparagraph 7,b7 that are prevention services and activities for purposes of the reports4 7#h7 ,prohibition against use of state foster care prevention expenditures and federal iv-e prevention funds for matching or expenditure requirement ,a ,state that elects to provide services and programs specified in paragraph 7#a7 shall not use any ,state foster care prevention expenditures for a fiscal year for the ,state share of expenditures under section #dgd7;a77#f7 for a fiscal year4 7#i7 ,administrative costs ,expenditures described in section #dgd7;a77#f77;,b7-- 7,a7 shall not be eligible for payment under subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,e7 of section #dgd7;a77#c72 and 7,b7 shall be eligible for payment under section #dgd7;a77#f77;,b7 without regard to whether the expenditures are incurred on behalf of a child who is1 or is potentially1 eligible for foster care maintenance payments under this part4 7#aj7 ,application ,the provision of services or programs under this subsection to or on behalf of a child described in paragraph 7#b7 shall not be considered to be receipt of aid or assistance under the ,state plan under this part for purposes of eligibility for any other program established under this ,act4 4 7b7 ,definition ,section #dge of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fge7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ac7 ,the term child who is a candidate for foster care means1 a child who is identified in a prevention plan under section #dga7;e77#d77;,a7 as being at imminent risk of entering foster care 7without regard to whether the child would be eligible for foster care maintenance payments under section #dgb or is or would be eligible for adoption assistance or kinship guardianship assistance payments under section #dgc7 but who can remain safely in the child's home or in a kinship placement as long as services or programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a7 that are necessary to prevent the entry of the child into foster care are provided4 ,the term includes a child whose adoption or guardianship arrangement is at risk of a disruption or dissolution that would result in a foster care placement4 4 7c7 ,payments under title ,,iv-,e ,section #dgd7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgd7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 plus2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 subject to section #dga7;e7-- 7,a7 for each quarter-- 7i7 subject to clause 7ii7-- 7,i7 beginning after ,september #cj1 #bjai1 and before ,october #a1 #bjbe1 an amount equal to #ej percent of the total amount expended during the quarter for the provision of services or programs specified in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #dga7;e77#a7 that are provided in accordance with promising1 supported1 or well-supported practices that meet the applicable criteria specified for the practices in section #dga7;e77#d77;,c72 and 7,,ii7 beginning after ,september #cj1 #bjbe1 an amount equal to the ,federal medical assistance percentage 7which shall be as defined in section #aije7;b71 in the case of a ,state other than the ,district of ,columbia1 or #gj percent1 in the case of the ,district of ,columbia7 of the total amount expended during the quarter for the provision of services or programs specified in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #dga7;e77#a7 that are provided in accordance with promising1 supported1 or well-supported practices that meet the applicable criteria specified for the practices in section #dga7;e77#d77;,c7 7or1 with respect to the payments made during the quarter under a cooperative agreement or contract entered into by the ,state and an ,indian tribe1 tribal organization1 or tribal consortium for the administration or payment of funds under this part1 an amount equal to the ,federal medical assistance percentage that would apply under section #dgi;,b7d7 7in this paragraph referred to as the tribal ,,fmap7 if the ,indian tribe1 tribal organization1 or tribal consortium made the payments under a program operated under that section1 unless the tribal ,,fmap is less than the ,federal medical assistance percentage that applies to the ,state72 except that 7ii7 not less than #ej percent of the total amount payable to a ,state under clause 7i7 for a fiscal year shall be for the provision of services or programs specified in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #dga7;e77#a7 that are provided in accordance with well-supported practices2 plus 7,b7 for each quarter specified in subparagraph 7,a71 an amount equal to the sum of the following proportions of the total amount expended during the quarter3 7i7 #ej percent of so much of the expenditures as are found necessary by the ,secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the ,state plan for the provision of services or programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a71 including expenditures for activities approved by the ,secretary that promote the development of necessary processes and procedures to establish and implement the provision of the services and programs for individuals who are eligible for the services and programs and expenditures attributable to data collection and reporting2 and 7ii7 #ej percent of so much of the expenditures with respect to the provision of services and programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a7 as are for training of personnel employed or preparing for employment by the ,state agency or by the local agency administering the plan in the political subdivision and of the members of the staff of ,state-licensed or ,state-approved child welfare agencies providing services to children described in section #dga7;e77#b7 and their parents or kin caregivers1 including on how to determine who are individuals eligible for the services or programs1 how to identify and provide appropriate services and programs1 and how to oversee and evaluate the ongoing appropriateness of the services and programs4 4 7d7 ,technical assistance and best practices1 clearinghouse1 and data collection and evaluations ,section #dgf of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgf7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,technical assistance and best practices1 clearinghouse1 data collection1 and evaluations relating to prevention services and programs 7#a7 ,technical assistance and best practices ,the ,secretary shall provide to ,states and1 as applicable1 to ,indian tribes1 tribal organizations1 and tribal consortia1 technical assistance regarding the provision of services and programs described in section #dga7;e77#a7 and shall disseminate best practices with respect to the provision of the services and programs1 including how to plan and implement a well-designed and rigorous evaluation of a promising1 supported1 or well-supported practice4 7#b7 ,clearinghouse of promising1 supported1 and well-supported practices ,the ,secretary shall1 directly or through grants1 contracts1 or interagency agreements1 evaluate research on the practices specified in clauses 7iii71 7iv71 and 7v71 respectively1 of section #dga7;e77#d77;,c71 and programs that meet the requirements described in section #dbg7;a77#a71 including culturally specific1 or location- or population-based adaptations of the practices1 to identify and establish a public clearinghouse of the practices that satisfy each category described by such clauses4 ,in addition1 the clearinghouse shall include information on the specific outcomes associated with each practice1 including whether the practice has been shown to prevent child abuse and neglect and reduce the likelihood of foster care placement by supporting birth families and kinship families and improving targeted supports for pregnant and parenting youth and their children4 7#c7 ,data collection and evaluations ,the ,secretary1 directly or through grants1 contracts1 or interagency agreements1 may collect data and conduct evaluations with respect to the provision of services and programs described in section #dga7;e77#a7 for purposes of assessing the extent to which the provision of the services and programs-- 7,a7 reduces the likelihood of foster care placement2 7,b7 increases use of kinship care arrangements2 or 7,c7 improves child well-being4 7#d7 ,reports to ,congress 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives periodic reports based on the provision of services and programs described in section #dga7;e77#a7 and the activities carried out under this subsection4 7,b7 ,public availability ,the ,secretary shall make the reports to ,congress submitted under this paragraph publicly available4 7#e7 ,appropriation ,out of any money in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states not otherwise appropriated1 there is appropriated to the ,secretary #a1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out this subsection4 4 7e7 ,application to programs operated by indian tribal organizations 7#a7 ,in general ,section #dgi;,b of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgi;c7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7c77#a7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c77i7-- 7,i7 in subclause 7,,ii71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7,,ii7 in subclause 7,,iii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,,iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,,iv7 at the option of the tribe1 organization1 or consortium1 services and programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a7 to children described in section #dga7;e77#b7 and their parents or kin caregivers1 in accordance with section #dga7;e7 and subparagraph 7,e74 2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 ,prevention services and programs for children and their parents and kin caregivers 7i7 ,in general ,in the case of a tribe1 organization1 or consortium that elects to provide services and programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a7 to children described in section #dga7;e77#b7 and their parents or kin caregivers under the plan1 the ,secretary shall specify the requirements applicable to the provision of the services and programs4 ,the requirements shall1 to the greatest extent practicable1 be consistent with the requirements applicable to ,states under section #dga7;e7 and shall permit the provision of the services and programs in the form of services and programs that are adapted to the culture and context of the tribal communities served4 7ii7 ,performance measures ,the ,secretary shall establish specific performance measures for each tribe1 organization1 or consortium that elects to provide services and programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a74 ,the performance measures shall1 to the greatest extent practicable1 be consistent with the prevention services measures required for ,states under section #dga7;e77#f7 but shall allow for consideration of factors unique to the provision of the services by tribes1 organizations1 or consortia4 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7d77#a71 by striking and 7#e7 and inserting 7#e71 and 7#f77;,a74 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,the heading for subsection 7d7 of section #dgi;,b of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgi;c7 is amended by striking for ,foster ,care ,maintenance and ,adoption ,assistance ,payments4 #aab4 ,foster care maintenance payments for children with parents in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse 7a7 ,in general ,section #dgb of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#b77;,c71 by striking or and inserting 1 with a parent residing in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility1 but only to the extent permitted under subsection 7j71 or in a 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7j7 ,children placed with a parent residing in a licensed residential family-,based treatment facility for substance abuse 7#a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section1 a child who is eligible for foster care maintenance payments under this section1 or who would be eligible for the payments if the eligibility were determined without regard to paragraphs 7#a77;,b7 and 7#c7 of subsection 7a71 shall be eligible for the payments for a period of not more than #ab months during which the child is placed with a parent who is in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse1 but only if-- 7,a7 the recommendation for the placement is specified in the child's case plan before the placement2 7,b7 the treatment facility provides1 as part of the treatment for substance abuse1 parenting skills training1 parent education1 and individual and family counseling2 and 7,c7 the substance abuse treatment1 parenting skills training1 parent education1 and individual and family counseling is provided under an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding1 recognizing1 and responding to the effects of all types of trauma and in accordance with recognized principles of a trauma-informed approach and trauma-specific interventions to address the consequences of trauma and facilitate healing4 7#b7 ,application ,with respect to children for whom foster care maintenance payments are made under paragraph 7#a71 only the children who satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 7#a77;,b7 and 7#c7 of subsection 7a7 shall be considered to be children with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments are made under this section for purposes of subsection 7h7 or section #dgc7;b77#c77;,b74 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #dgd7;a77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgd7;a77#a77 is amended by inserting subject to section #dgb7;j71 before an amount equal to the ,federal the first place it appears4 #aac4 ,title ,,iv-,e payments for evidence-based kinship navigator programs ,section #dgd7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgd7;a771 as amended by section #aaa7;c71 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 plus2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 an amount equal to #ej percent of the amounts expended by the ,state during the quarter as the ,secretary determines are for kinship navigator programs that meet the requirements described in section #dbg7;a77#a7 and that the ,secretary determines are operated in accordance with promising1 supported1 or well-supported practices that meet the applicable criteria specified for the practices in section #dga7;e77#d77;,c71 without regard to whether the expenditures are incurred on behalf of children who are1 or are potentially1 eligible for foster care maintenance payments under this part4 4 ,b ,enhanced support under ,title ,,iv-,b #aba4 ,elimination of time limit for family reunification services while in foster care and permitting time-limited family reunification services when a child returns home from foster care 7a7 ,in general ,section #dca7;a77#g7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;a7a77#g77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking ,time-limited family and inserting ,family2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,a7 by striking time-limited family and inserting family2 7,b7 by inserting or a child who has been returned home after child care institution2 and 7,c7 by striking 1 but only during the #ae-month period that begins on the date that the child1 pursuant to section #dge7e77;,f71 is considered to have entered foster care and inserting and to ensure the strength and stability of the reunification4 ,in the case of a child who has been returned home1 the services and activities shall only be provided during the #ae-month period that begins on the date that the child returns home4 7b7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,section #dcj of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi7 is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking time-limited4 7#b7 ,subsections 7a77#d71 7a77#e77;,a71 and 7b77#a7 of section #dcb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;b7 are amended by striking time-limited each place it appears4 #abb4 ,reducing bureaucracy and unnecessary delays when placing children in homes across ,state lines 7a7 ,state plan requirement ,section #dga7;a77#be7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fga7;a77#be77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking provide and insert provides2 and 7#b7 by inserting 1 which1 not later than ,october #a1 #bjbf1 shall include the use of an electronic interstate case-processing system before the first semicolon4 7b7 ,grants for the development of an electronic interstate case-,processing system ,to expedite the interstate placement of children in foster care or guardianship1 or for adoption ,section #dcg of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;g7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7g7 ,grants for the development of an electronic interstate case-,processing system ,to expedite the interstate placement of children in foster care or guardianship1 or for adoption 7#a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this subsection is to facilitate the development of an electronic interstate case-processing system for the exchange of data and documents to expedite the placements of children in foster1 guardianship1 or adoptive homes across ,state lines4 7#b7 ,application requirements ,a ,state that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit to the ,secretary an application containing the following3 7,a7 ,a description of the goals and outcomes to be achieved during the period for which grant funds are sought1 which goals and outcomes must result in-- 7i7 reducing the time it takes for a child to be provided with a safe and appropriate permanent living arrangement across ,state lines2 7ii7 improving administrative processes and reducing costs in the foster care system2 and 7iii7 the secure exchange of relevant case files and other necessary materials in real time1 and timely communications and placement decisions regarding interstate placements of children4 7,b7 ,a description of the activities to be funded in whole or in part with the grant funds1 including the sequencing of the activities4 7,c7 ,a description of the strategies for integrating programs and services for children who are placed across ,state lines4 7,d7 ,such other information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,grant authority ,the ,secretary may make a grant to a ,state that complies with paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,use of funds ,a ,state to which a grant is made under this subsection shall use the grant to support the ,state in connecting with the electronic interstate case-processing system described in paragraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,evaluations ,not later than #a year after the final year in which grants are awarded under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress1 and make available to the general public by posting on a website1 a report that contains the following information3 7,a7 ,how using the electronic interstate case-processing system developed pursuant to paragraph 7#d7 has changed the time it takes for children to be placed across ,state lines4 7,b7 ,the number of cases subject to the ,interstate ,compact on the ,placement of ,children that were processed through the electronic interstate case-processing system1 and the number of interstate child placement cases that were processed outside the electronic interstate case-processing system1 by each ,state in each year4 7,c7 ,the progress made by ,states in implementing the electronic interstate case-processing system4 7,d7 ,how using the electronic interstate case-processing system has affected various metrics related to child safety and well-being1 including the time it takes for children to be placed across ,state lines4 7,e7 ,how using the electronic interstate case-processing system has affected administrative costs and caseworker time spent on placing children across ,state lines4 7#f7 ,data integration ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretariat for the ,interstate ,compact on the ,placement of ,children and the ,states1 shall assess how the electronic interstate case-processing system developed pursuant to paragraph 7#d7 could be used to better serve and protect children that come to the attention of the child welfare system1 by-- 7,a7 connecting the system with other data systems 7such as systems operated by ,state law enforcement and judicial agencies1 systems operated by the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation for the purposes of the ,innocence ,lost ,national ,initiative1 and other systems72 7,b7 simplifying and improving reporting related to paragraphs 7#cd7 and 7#ce7 of section #dga7;a7 regarding children or youth who have been identified as being a sex trafficking victim or children missing from foster care2 and 7,c7 improving the ability of ,states to quickly comply with background check requirements of section #dga7;a77#bj71 including checks of child abuse and neglect registries as required by section #dga7;a77#bj77;,b74 4 7c7 ,reservation of funds ,to improve the interstate placement of children ,section #dcg7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;g7b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,improving the interstate placement of children ,the ,secretary shall reserve #e1jjj1jjj of the amount made available for fiscal year #bjag for grants under subsection 7g71 and the amount so reserved shall remain available through fiscal year #bjba4 4 #abc4 ,enhancements to grants to improve well-being of families affected by substance abuse ,section #dcg7;f7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;g7f77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking increase the well-,being of1 and ,to improve the permanency outcomes for1 children affected by and inserting implement ,,iv-,e prevention services1 and improve the well-,being of1 and improve permanency outcomes for1 children and families affected by heroin1 opioids1 and other2 7#b7 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,regional partnership defined ,in this subsection1 the term regional partnership means a collaborative agreement 7which may be established on an interstate1 ,state1 or intrastate basis7 entered into by the following3 7,a7 ,mandatory partners for all partnership grants 7i7 ,the ,state child welfare agency that is responsible for the administration of the ,state plan under this part and part ,e4 7ii7 ,the ,state agency responsible for administering the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant provided under subpart ,,ii of part ,b of title ,,xix of the ,public ,health ,service ,act4 7,b7 ,mandatory partners for partnership grants proposing to serve children in out-of-home placements ,if the partnership proposes to serve children in out-of-home placements1 the ,juvenile ,court or ,administrative ,office of the ,court that is most appropriate to oversee the administration of court programs in the region to address the population of families who come to the attention of the court due to child abuse or neglect4 7,c7 ,optional partners ,at the option of the partnership1 any of the following3 7i7 ,an ,indian tribe or tribal consortium4 7ii7 ,nonprofit child welfare service providers4 7iii7 ,for-profit child welfare service providers4 7iv7 ,community health service providers1 including substance abuse treatment providers4 7v7 ,community mental health providers4 7vi7 ,local law enforcement agencies4 7vii7 ,school personnel4 7viii7 ,tribal child welfare agencies 7or a consortia of the agencies74 7ix7 ,any other providers1 agencies1 personnel1 officials1 or entities that are related to the provision of child and family services under a ,state plan approved under this subpart4 7,d7 ,exception for regional partnerships where the lead applicant is an indian tribe or tribal consortia ,if an ,indian tribe or tribal consortium enters into a regional partnership for purposes of this subsection1 the ,indian tribe or tribal consortium-- 7i7 may 7but is not required to7 include the ,state child welfare agency as a partner in the collaborative agreement2 7ii7 may not enter into a collaborative agreement only with tribal child welfare agencies 7or a consortium of the agencies72 and 7iii7 if the condition described in paragraph 7#b77;,b7 applies1 may include tribal court organizations in lieu of other judicial partners4 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba2 and 7ii7 by striking #ejj1jjj and not more than #a1jjj1jjj and inserting #bej1jjj and not more than #a1jjj1jjj2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in the subparagraph heading1 by inserting 2 planning after approval2 7ii7 in clause 7i71 by striking clause 7ii7 and inserting clauses 7ii7 and 7iii72 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 ,sufficient planning ,a grant awarded under this subsection shall be disbursed in two phases3 a planning phase 7not to exceed #b years72 and an implementation phase4 ,the total disbursement to a grantee for the planning phase may not exceed #bej1jjj1 and may not exceed the total anticipated funding for the implementation phase4 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 ,limitation on payment for a fiscal year ,no payment shall be made under subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,c7 for a fiscal year until the ,secretary determines that the eligible partnership has made sufficient progress in meeting the goals of the grant and that the members of the eligible partnership are coordinating to a reasonable degree with the other members of the eligible partnership4 2 7#d7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by inserting 1 parents1 and families after children2 7ii7 in clause 7ii71 by striking safety and permanence for such children2 and and inserting safe1 permanent caregiving relationships for the children22 7iii7 in clause 7iii71 by striking or and inserting increase reunification rates for children who have been placed in out of home care1 or decrease2 and 7iv7 by redesignating clause 7iii7 as clause 7v7 and inserting after clause 7ii7 the following3 7iii7 improve the substance abuse treatment outcomes for parents including retention in treatment and successful completion of treatment2 7iv7 facilitate the implementation1 delivery1 and effectiveness of prevention services and programs under section #dga7;e72 and 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking where appropriate12 and 7,c7 by striking subparagraphs 7,e7 and 7,f7 and inserting the following3 7,e7 ,a description of a plan for sustaining the services provided by or activities funded under the grant after the conclusion of the grant period1 including through the use of prevention services and programs under section #dga7;e7 and other funds provided to the ,state for child welfare and substance abuse prevention and treatment services4 7,f7 ,additional information needed by the ,secretary to determine that the proposed activities and implementation will be consistent with research or evaluations showing which practices and approaches are most effective4 2 7#e7 in paragraph 7#e77;,a71 by striking abuse treatment and inserting use disorder treatment including medication assisted treatment and in-home substance abuse disorder treatment and recovery2 7#f7 in paragraph 7#g7-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,c72 and 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,d7 as subparagraph 7,e7 and inserting after subparagraph 7,c7 the following3 7,d7 demonstrate a track record of successful collaboration among child welfare1 substance abuse disorder treatment and mental health agencies2 and 2 7#g7 in paragraph 7#h7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking establish indicators that will be and inserting review indicators that are2 and 7ii7 by striking in using funds made available under such grants to achieve the purpose of this subsection and inserting and establish a set of core indicators related to child safety1 parental recovery1 parenting capacity1 and family well-being4 ,in developing the core indicators1 to the extent possible1 indicators shall be made consistent with the outcome measures described in section #dga7;e77#f72 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding clause 7i71 by inserting base the performance measures on lessons learned from prior rounds of regional partnership grants under this subsection1 and before consult2 and 7ii7 by striking clauses 7iii7 and 7iv7 and inserting the following3 7iii7 ,other stakeholders or constituencies as determined by the ,secretary4 2 7#h7 in paragraph 7#i77;,a71 by striking clause 7i7 and inserting the following3 7i7 ,semiannual reports ,not later than ,september #cj of each fiscal year in which a recipient of a grant under this subsection is paid funds under the grant1 and every #f months thereafter1 the grant recipient shall submit to the ,secretary a report on the services provided and activities carried out during the reporting period1 progress made in achieving the goals of the program1 the number of children1 adults1 and families receiving services1 and such additional information as the ,secretary determines is necessary4 ,the report due not later than ,september #cj of the last such fiscal year shall include1 at a minimum1 data on each of the performance indicators included in the evaluation of the regional partnership4 2 and 7#i7 in paragraph 7#aj71 by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba4 ,c ,miscellaneous #aca4 ,reviewing and improving licensing standards for placement in a relative foster family home 7a7 ,identification of reputable model licensing standards ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjag1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall identify reputable model licensing standards with respect to the licensing of foster family homes 7as defined in section #dgb7;c77#a7 of the ,social ,security ,act74 7b7 ,state plan requirement ,section #dga7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fga7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#cd77;,b71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#ce77;,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#cf7 provides that1 not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,state shall submit to the ,secretary information addressing-- 7,a7 whether the ,state licensing standards are in accord with model standards identified by the ,secretary1 and if not1 the reason for the specific deviation and a description as to why having a standard that is reasonably in accord with the corresponding national model standards is not appropriate for the ,state2 7,b7 whether the ,state has elected to waive standards established in #dga7;a77#aj77;,a7 for relative foster family homes 7pursuant to waiver authority provided by #dga7;a77#aj77;,d771 a description of which standards the ,state most commonly waives1 and if the ,state has not elected to waive the standards1 the reason for not waiving these standards2 7,c7 if the ,state has elected to waive standards specified in subparagraph 7,b71 how caseworkers are trained to use the waiver authority and whether the ,state has developed a process or provided tools to assist caseworkers in waiving nonsafety standards per the authority provided in #dga7;a77#aj77;,d7 to quickly place children with relatives2 and 7,d7 a description of the steps the ,state is taking to improve caseworker training or the process1 if any2 and 4 #acb4 ,development of a statewide plan to prevent child abuse and neglect fatalities ,section #dbb7;b77#ai7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbb7;b77#ai77 is amended to read as follows3 7#ai7 document steps taken to track and prevent child maltreatment deaths by including-- 7,a7 a description of the steps the ,state is taking to compile complete and accurate information on the deaths required by ,federal law to be reported by the ,state agency referred to in paragraph 7#a71 including gathering relevant information on the deaths from the relevant organizations in the ,state including entities such as ,state vital statistics department1 child death review teams1 law enforcement agencies1 offices of medical examiners or coroners2 and 7,b7 a description of the steps the ,state is taking to develop and implement of a comprehensive1 statewide plan to prevent the fatalities that involves and engages relevant public and private agency partners1 including those in public health1 law enforcement1 and the courts4 4 #acc4 ,modernizing the title and purpose of title ,,iv-,e 7a7 ,part heading ,the heading for part ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgj et seq47 is amended to read as follows3 ,e ,federal ,payments for ,foster ,care1 ,prevention1 and ,permanency 4 7b7 ,purpose ,the first sentence of section #dgj of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgj7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking #aiie7 and and inserting #aiie712 7#b7 by inserting kinship guardianship assistance1 and prevention services or programs specified in section #dga7;e77#a71 after needs12 and 7#c7 by striking 7commencing with the fiscal year which begins ,october #a1 #aihj74 #acd4 ,effective dates 7a7 ,effective dates 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 subject to subsection 7b71 the amendments made by this title shall take effect on ,october #a1 #bjag4 7#b7 ,exceptions ,the amendments made by sections #aca and #acc shall take effect on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,transition rule 7#a7 ,in general ,in the case of a ,state plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act which the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services determines requires ,state legislation 7other than legislation appropriating funds7 in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this title1 the ,state plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the ,state legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act4 ,for purposes of the previous sentence1 in the case of a ,state that has a #b-year legislative session1 each year of the session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the ,state legislature4 7#b7 ,application to programs operated by indian tribal organizations ,in the case of an ,indian tribe1 tribal organization1 or tribal consortium which the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services determines requires time to take action necessary to comply with the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this title 7whether the tribe1 organization1 or tribal consortium has a plan under section #dgi;,b of the ,social ,security ,act or a cooperative agreement or contract entered into with a ,state71 the ,secretary shall provide the tribe1 organization1 or tribal consortium with such additional time as the ,secretary determines is necessary for the tribe1 organization1 or tribal consortium to take the action to comply with the additional requirements before being regarded as failing to comply with the requirements4 ,,ii ,ensuring the ,necessity of a ,placement that is not in a ,foster ,family ,home #bja4 ,limitation on ,federal financial participation for placements that are not in foster family homes 7a7 ,limitation on federal financial participation 7#a7 ,in general ,section #dgb of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb71 as amended by section #aab1 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a77#b77;,c71 by inserting 1 but only to the extent permitted under subsection 7k7 after institution2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7k7 ,limitation on federal financial participation 7#a7 ,in general ,beginning with the third week for which foster care maintenance payments are made under this section on behalf of a child placed in a child-care institution1 no ,federal payment shall be made to the ,state under section #dgd7;a77#a7 for amounts expended for foster care maintenance payments on behalf of the child unless-- 7,a7 the child is placed in a child-care institution that is a setting specified in paragraph 7#b7 7or is placed in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility consistent with subsection 7j772 and 7,b7 in the case of a child placed in a qualified residential treatment program 7as defined in paragraph 7#d771 the requirements specified in paragraph 7#c7 and section #dge;,a7c7 are met4 7#b7 ,specified settings for placement ,the settings for placement specified in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,a qualified residential treatment program 7as defined in paragraph 7#d774 7,b7 ,a setting specializing in providing prenatal1 post-partum1 or parenting supports for youth4 7,c7 ,in the case of a child who has attained #ah years of age1 a supervised setting in which the child is living independently4 7#c7 ,assessment to determine appropriateness of placement in a qualified residential treatment program 7,a7 ,deadline for assessment ,in the case of a child who is placed in a qualified residential treatment program1 if the assessment required under section #dge;,a7c77#a7 is not completed within #cj days after the placement is made1 no ,federal payment shall be made to the ,state under section #dgd7;a77#a7 for any amounts expended for foster care maintenance payments on behalf of the child during the placement4 7,b7 ,deadline for transition out of placement ,if the assessment required under section #dge;,a7c77#a7 determines that the placement of a child in a qualified residential treatment program is not appropriate1 a court disapproves such a placement under section #dge;,a7c77#b71 or a child who has been in an approved placement in a qualified residential treatment program is going to return home or be placed with a fit and willing relative1 a legal guardian1 or an adoptive parent1 or in a foster family home1 ,federal payments shall be made to the ,state under section #dgd7;a77#a7 for amounts expended for foster care maintenance payments on behalf of the child while the child remains in the qualified residential treatment program only during the period necessary for the child to transition home or to such a placement4 ,in no event shall a ,state receive ,federal payments under section #dgd7;a77#a7 for amounts expended for foster care maintenance payments on behalf of a child who remains placed in a qualified residential treatment program after the end of the #cj-;day period that begins on the date a determination is made that the placement is no longer the recommended or approved placement for the child4 7#d7 ,qualified residential treatment program ,for purposes of this part1 the term qualified residential treatment program means a program that-- 7,a7 has a trauma-informed treatment model that is designed to address the needs1 including clinical needs as appropriate1 of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances and1 with respect to a child1 is able to implement the treatment identified for the child by the assessment of the child required under section #dge;,a7c72 7,b7 has registered or licensed nursing staff and other licensed clinical staff who-- 7i7 provide care within the scope of their practice as defined by ,state law2 7ii7 are on-site during business hours2 and 7iii7 are available #bd hours a day and #g days a week2 7,c7 to the extent appropriate1 and in accordance with the child's best interests1 facilitates participation of family members in the child's treatment program2 7,d7 facilitates outreach to the family members of the child1 including siblings1 documents how the outreach is made 7including contact information71 and maintains contact information for any known biological family and fictive kin of the child2 7,e7 documents how family members are integrated into the treatment process for the child1 including post-discharge1 and how sibling connections are maintained2 7,f7 provides discharge planning and family-based aftercare support for at least #f months post-discharge2 and 7,g7 is licensed in accordance with section #dga7;a77#aj7 and is accredited by any of the following independent1 not-for-profit organizations3 7i7 ,the ,commission on ,accreditation of ,rehabilitation ,facilities 7,,carf74 7ii7 ,the ,joint ,commission on ,accreditation of ,healthcare ,organizations 7,,jcaho74 7iii7 ,the ,council on ,accreditation 7,,coa74 7iv7 ,any other independent1 not-for-profit accrediting organization approved by the ,secretary4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #dgd7;a77#a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgd7;a77#a771 as amended by section #aab7;b71 is amended by striking section #dgb7;j7 and inserting subsections 7j7 and 7k7 of section #dgb4 7b7 ,definition of foster family home1 child-,care institution ,section #dgb7;c7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7;c77#a77 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this part3 7#a7 ,foster family home 7,a7 ,in general ,the term foster family home means the home of an individual or family-- 7i7 that is licensed or approved by the ,state in which it is situated as a foster family home that meets the standards established for the licensing or approval2 and 7ii7 in which a child in foster care has been placed in the care of an individual1 who resides with the child and who has been licensed or approved by the ,state to be a foster parent-- 7,i7 that the ,state deems capable of adhering to the reasonable and prudent parent standard2 7,,ii7 that provides #bd-;hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or other caretakers2 and 7,,iii7 that provides the care for not more than six children in foster care4 7,b7 ,state flexibility ,the number of foster children that may be cared for in a home under subparagraph 7,a7 may exceed the numerical limitation in subparagraph 7,a77ii77,,iii71 at the option of the ,state1 for any of the following reasons3 7i7 ,to allow a parenting youth in foster care to remain with the child of the parenting youth4 7ii7 ,to allow siblings to remain together4 7iii7 ,to allow a child with an established meaningful relationship with the family to remain with the family4 7iv7 ,to allow a family with special training or skills to provide care to a child who has a severe disability4 7,c7 ,rule of construction ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not be construed as prohibiting a foster parent from renting the home in which the parent cares for a foster child placed in the parent's care4 7#b7 ,child-care institution 7,a7 ,in general ,the term child-care institution means a private child-care institution1 or a public child-care institution which accommodates no more than #be children1 which is licensed by the ,state in which it is situated or has been approved by the agency of the ,state responsible for licensing or approval of institutions of this type as meeting the standards established for the licensing4 7,b7 ,supervised settings ,in the case of a child who has attained #ah years of age1 the term shall include a supervised setting in which the individual is living independently1 in accordance with such conditions as the ,secretary shall establish in regulations4 7,c7 ,exclusions ,the term shall not include detention facilities1 forestry camps1 training schools1 or any other facility operated primarily for the detention of children who are determined to be delinquent4 4 7c7 ,training for state judges1 attorneys1 and other legal personnel in child welfare cases ,section #dch7;b77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;h7b77#a77 is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7 by inserting shall provide for the training of judges1 attorneys1 and other legal personnel in child welfare cases on ,federal child welfare policies and payment limitations with respect to children in foster care who are placed in settings that are not a foster family home1 after with respect to the child14 7d7 ,assurance of nonimpact on juvenile justice system 7#a7 ,state plan requirement ,section #dga7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fga7;a771 as amended by section #aca1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7#cg7 includes a certification that1 in response to the limitation imposed under section #dgb7k7 with respect to foster care maintenance payments made on behalf of any child who is placed in a setting that is not a foster family home1 the ,state will not enact or advance policies or practices that would result in a significant increase in the population of youth in the ,state's juvenile justice system4 4 7#b7 ,,gao study and report ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall evaluate the impact1 if any1 on ,state juvenile justice systems of the limitation imposed under section #dgb7k7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7as added by section #bja7;a77#a77 on foster care maintenance payments made on behalf of any child who is placed in a setting that is not a foster family home1 in accordance with the amendments made by subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of this section4 ,in particular1 the ,comptroller ,general shall evaluate the extent to which children in foster care who also are subject to the juvenile justice system of the ,state are placed in a facility under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system and whether the lack of available congregate care placements under the jurisdiction of the child welfare systems is a contributing factor to that result4 ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbc1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,congress a report on the results of the evaluation4 #bjb4 ,assessment and documentation of the need for placement in a qualified residential treatment program ,section #dge;,a of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fge;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,assessment1 documentation1 and judicial determination requirements for placement in a qualified residential treatment program ,in the case of any child who is placed in a qualified residential treatment program 7as defined in section #dgb7k77#d771 the following requirements shall apply for purposes of approving the case plan for the child and the case system review procedure for the child3 7#a7 7,a7 ,within #cj days of the start of each placement in such a setting1 a qualified individual 7as defined in subparagraph 7,d77 shall-- 7i7 assess the strengths and needs of the child using an age-appropriate1 evidence-based1 validated1 functional assessment tool approved by the ,secretary2 7ii7 determine whether the needs of the child can be met with family members or through placement in a foster family home or1 if not1 which setting from among the settings specified in section #dgb7k77#b7 would provide the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment and be consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child1 as specified in the permanency plan for the child2 and 7iii7 develop a list of child-specific short- and long-term mental and behavioral health goals4 7,b7 7i7 ,the ,state shall assemble a family and permanency team for the child in accordance with the requirements of clauses 7ii7 and 7iii74 ,the qualified individual conducting the assessment required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall work in conjunction with the family of1 and permanency team for1 the child while conducting and making the assessment4 7ii7 ,the family and permanency team shall consist of all appropriate biological family members1 relative1 and fictive kin of the child1 as well as1 as appropriate1 professionals who are a resource to the family of the child1 such as teachers1 medical or mental health providers who have treated the child1 or clergy4 ,in the case of a child who has attained age #ad1 the family and permanency team shall include the members of the permanency planning team for the child that are selected by the child in accordance with section #dge7e77;,c77iv74 7iii7 ,the ,state shall document in the child's case plan-- 7,i7 the reasonable and good faith effort of the ,state to identify and include all such individuals on the family of1 and permanency team for1 the child2 7,,ii7 all contact information for members of the family and permanency team1 as well as contact information for other family members and fictive kin who are not part of the family and permanency team2 7,,iii7 evidence that meetings of the family and permanency team1 including meetings relating to the assessment required under subparagraph 7,a71 are held at a time and place convenient for family2 7,,iv7 if reunification is the goal1 evidence demonstrating that the parent from whom the child was removed provided input on the members of the family and permanency team2 7,v7 evidence that the assessment required under subparagraph 7,a7 is determined in conjunction with the family and permanency team2 and 7,,vi7 the placement preferences of the family and permanency team relative to the assessment and1 if the placement preferences of the family and permanency team and child are not the placement setting recommended by the qualified individual conducting the assessment under subparagraph 7,a71 the reasons why the preferences of the team and of the child were not recommended4 7,c7 ,in the case of a child who the qualified individual conducting the assessment under subparagraph 7,a7 determines should not be placed in a foster family home1 the qualified individual shall specify in writing the reasons why the needs of the child cannot be met by the family of the child or in a foster family home4 ,a shortage or lack of foster family homes shall not be an acceptable reason for determining that a needs of the child cannot be met in a foster family home4 ,the qualified individual also shall specify in writing why the recommended placement in a qualified residential treatment program is the setting that will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment and how that placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child1 as specified in the permanency plan for the child4 7,d7 7i7 ,subject to clause 7ii71 in this subsection1 the term qualified individual means a trained professional or licensed clinician who is not an employee of the ,state agency and who is not connected to1 or affiliated with1 any placement setting in which children are placed by the ,state4 7ii7 ,the ,secretary may approve a request of a ,state to waive any requirement in clause 7i7 upon a submission by the ,state1 in accordance with criteria established by the ,secretary1 that certifies that the trained professionals or licensed clinicians with responsibility for performing the assessments described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall maintain objectivity with respect to determining the most effective and appropriate placement for a child4 7#b7 ,within #fj days of the start of each placement in a qualified residential treatment program1 a family or juvenile court or another court 7including a tribal court7 of competent jurisdiction1 or an administrative body appointed or approved by the court1 independently1 shall-- 7,a7 consider the assessment1 determination1 and documentation made by the qualified individual conducting the assessment under paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 determine whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster family home or1 if not1 whether placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment and whether that placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child1 as specified in the permanency plan for the child2 and 7,c7 approve or disapprove the placement4 7#c7 ,the written documentation made under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 and documentation of the determination and approval or disapproval of the placement in a qualified residential treatment program by a court or administrative body under paragraph 7#b7 shall be included in and made part of the case plan for the child4 7#d7 ,as long as a child remains placed in a qualified residential treatment program1 the ,state agency shall submit evidence at each status review and each permanency hearing held with respect to the child-- 7,a7 demonstrating that ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the child continues to support the determination that the needs of the child cannot be met through placement in a foster family home1 that the placement in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment1 and that the placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child1 as specified in the permanency plan for the child2 7,b7 documenting the specific treatment or service needs that will be met for the child in the placement and the length of time the child is expected to need the treatment or services2 and 7,c7 documenting the efforts made by the ,state agency to prepare the child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing relative1 a legal guardian1 or an adoptive parent1 or in a foster family home4 7#e7 ,in the case of any child who is placed in a qualified residential treatment program for more than #ab consecutive months or #ah nonconsecutive months 7or1 in the case of a child who has not attained age #ac1 for more than #f consecutive or nonconsecutive months71 the ,state agency shall submit to the ,secretary-- 7,a7 the most recent versions of the evidence and documentation specified in paragraph 7#d72 and 7,b7 the signed approval of the head of the ,state agency for the continued placement of the child in that setting4 4 #bjc4 ,protocols to prevent inappropriate diagnoses 7a7 ,state plan requirement ,section #dbb7;b77#ae77;,a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbb7;b77#ae77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7vi71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating clause 7vii7 as clause 7viii72 and 7#c7 by inserting after clause 7vi7 the following3 7vii7 the procedures and protocols the ,state has established to ensure that children in foster care placements are not inappropriately diagnosed with mental illness1 other emotional or behavioral disorders1 medically fragile conditions1 or developmental disabilities1 and placed in settings that are not foster family homes as a result of the inappropriate diagnoses2 and 4 7b7 ,evaluation ,section #dgf of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgf71 as amended by section #aaa7;d71 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,evaluation of ,state procedures and protocols ,to prevent inappropriate diagnoses of mental illness or other conditions ,the ,secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the procedures and protocols established by ,states in accordance with the requirements of section #dbb7;b77#ae77;,a77vii74 ,the evaluation shall analyze the extent to which ,states comply with and enforce the procedures and protocols and the effectiveness of various ,state procedures and protocols and shall identify best practices4 ,not later than ,january #a1 #bjai1 the ,secretary shall submit a report on the results of the evaluation to ,congress4 4 #bjd4 ,additional data and reports regarding children placed in a setting that is not a foster family home ,section #dgi;,a7a77#g77;,a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgi;b7a77#g77;,a77 is amended by striking clauses 7i7 through 7vi7 and inserting the following3 7i7 with respect to each such placement-- 7,i7 the type of the placement setting1 including whether the placement is shelter care1 a group home and if so1 the range of the child population in the home1 a residential treatment facility1 a hospital or institution providing medical1 rehabilitative1 or psychiatric care1 a setting specializing in providing prenatal1 post-partum or parenting supports1 or some other kind of child-care institution and if so1 what kind2 7,,ii7 the number of children in the placement setting and the age1 race1 ethnicity1 and gender of each of the children2 7,,iii7 for each child in the placement setting1 the length of the placement of the child in the setting1 whether the placement of the child in the setting is the first placement of the child and if not1 the number and type of previous placements of the child1 and whether the child has special needs or another diagnosed mental or physical illness or condition2 and 7,,iv7 the extent of any specialized education1 treatment1 counseling1 or other services provided in the setting2 and 7ii7 separately1 the number and ages of children in the placements who have a permanency plan of another planned permanent living arrangement2 and 4 #bje4 ,effective dates2 application to waivers 7a7 ,effective dates 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b7 and subsections 7b7 and 7c71 the amendments made by this title shall take effect on ,october #a1 #bjag4 7#b7 ,transition rule ,in the case of a ,state plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act which the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services determines requires ,state legislation 7other than legislation appropriating funds7 in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this title1 the ,state plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet the additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the ,state legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act4 ,for purposes of the previous sentence1 in the case of a ,state that has a #b-year legislative session1 each year of the session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the ,state legislature4 7b7 ,limitation on federal financial participation for placements that are not in foster family homes and related provisions ,the amendments made by sections #bja7;a71 #bja7;b71 #bja7;d71 and #bjb shall take effect on ,october #a1 #bjai4 7c7 ,application to ,states with waivers ,in the case of a ,state that1 on the date of enactment of this ,act1 has in effect a waiver approved under section #aacj of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;a-#i71 the amendments made by this title shall not apply with respect to the ,state before the expiration 7determined without regard to any extensions7 of the waiver to the extent the amendments are inconsistent with the terms of the waiver4 ,,iii ,continuing ,support for ,child and ,family ,services #cja4 ,supporting and retaining foster families for children 7a7 ,supporting and retaining foster parents as a family support service ,section #dca7;a77#b77;,b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fca7;a77#b77;,b77 is amended by redesignating clauses 7iii7 through 7vi7 as clauses 7iv7 through 7vii71 respectively1 and inserting after clause 7ii7 the following3 7iii7 ,to support and retain foster families so they can provide quality family-based settings for children in foster care4 4 7b7 ,support for foster family homes ,section #dcf of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;f7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,support for foster family homes ,out of any money in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states not otherwise appropriated1 there are appropriated to the ,secretary for fiscal year #bjah1 #h1jjj1jjj for the ,secretary to make competitive grants to ,states1 ,indian tribes1 or tribal consortia to support the recruitment and retention of high-quality foster families to increase their capacity to place more children in family settings1 focused on ,states1 ,indian tribes1 or tribal consortia with the highest percentage of children in non-family settings4 ,the amount appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain available through fiscal year #bjbb4 4 #cjb4 ,extension of child and family services programs 7a7 ,extension of ,stephanie ,tubbs ,jones child welfare services program ,section #dbe of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbe7 is amended by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba4 7b7 ,extension of promoting safe and stable families program authorizations 7#a7 ,in general ,section #dcf7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;f7a77 is amended by striking all that follows #cde1jjj1jjj and inserting for each of fiscal years #bjag through #bjba44 7#b7 ,discretionary grants ,section #dcg7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;g7a77 is amended by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba4 7c7 ,extension of funding reservations for monthly caseworker visits and regional partnership grants ,section #dcf7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;f7b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d77;,a71 by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba4 7d7 ,reauthorization of funding for state courts 7#a7 ,extension of program ,section #dch7;c77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;h7c77#a77 is amended by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba4 7#b7 ,extension of ,federal share ,section #dch7;d7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;h7d77 is amended by striking #bjab through #bjaf and inserting #bjag through #bjba4 7e7 ,repeal of expired provisions ,section #dch7;e7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;h7e77 is repealed4 #cjc4 ,improvements to the ,john ,h4 ,chafee foster care independence program and related provisions 7a7 ,authority ,to ,serve ,former ,foster ,youth ,up ,to ,age #bc ,section #dgg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#e71 by inserting 7or #bc years of age1 in the case of a ,state with a certification under subsection 7b77#c77;,a77ii7 to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained such age1 in accordance with such subsection7 after #ba years of age2 7#b7 in subsection 7b77#c77;,a7-- 7,a7 by inserting 7i7 before ,a certification2 7,b7 by striking children who have left foster care and all that follows through the period and inserting youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained #ba years of age42 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 ,if the ,state has elected under section #dge7h77;,b7 to extend eligibility for foster care to all children who have not attained #ba years of age1 or if the ,secretary determines that the ,state agency responsible for administering the ,state plans under this part and part ,b uses ,state funds or any other funds not provided under this part to provide services and assistance for youths who have aged out of foster care that are comparable to the services and assistance the youths would receive if the ,state had made such an election1 the certification required under clause 7i7 may provide that the ,state will provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained #bc years of age4 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7b77#c77;,b71 by striking children who have left foster care and all that follows through the period and inserting youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained #ba years of age 7or #bc years of age1 in the case of a ,state with a certification under subparagraph 7,a77i7 to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained such age1 in accordance with subparagraph 7,a77ii7744 7b7 ,authority ,to redistribute unspent funds ,section #dgg7;d7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7;d77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by inserting or does not expend allocated funds within the time period specified under section #dgg7;d77#c7 after provided by the ,secretary2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,redistribution of unexpended amounts 7,a7 ,availability of amounts ,to the extent that amounts paid to ,states under this section in a fiscal year remain unexpended by the ,states at the end of the succeeding fiscal year1 the ,secretary may make the amounts available for redistribution in the second succeeding fiscal year among the ,states that apply for additional funds under this section for that second succeeding fiscal year4 7,b7 ,redistribution 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall redistribute the amounts made available under subparagraph 7,a7 for a fiscal year among eligible applicant ,states4 ,in this subparagraph1 the term eligible applicant ,state means a ,state that has applied for additional funds for the fiscal year under subparagraph 7,a7 if the ,secretary determines that the ,state will use the funds for the purpose for which originally allotted under this section4 7ii7 ,amount to be redistributed ,the amount to be redistributed to each eligible applicant ,state shall be the amount so made available multiplied by the ,state foster care ratio 7as defined in subsection 7c77#d71 except that1 in such subsection1 all eligible applicant ,states 7as defined in subsection 7d77#e77;,b77i77 shall be substituted for all ,states74 7iii7 ,treatment of redistributed amount ,any amount made available to a ,state under this paragraph shall be regarded as part of the allotment of the ,state under this section for the fiscal year in which the redistribution is made4 7,c7 ,tribes ,for purposes of this paragraph1 the term ,state includes an ,indian tribe1 tribal organization1 or tribal consortium that receives an allotment under this section4 4 7c7 ,expanding and clarifying the use of education and training vouchers 7#a7 ,in general ,section #dgg7;i77#c7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7;i77#c77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking on the date and all that follows through #bc and inserting to remain eligible until they attain #bf2 and 7,b7 by inserting 1 but in no event may a youth participate in the program for more than #e years 7whether or not consecutive7 before the period4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #dgg7;i77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7;i77#a77 is amended by inserting who have attained #ad years of age before the period4 7d7 ,other improvements ,section #dgg of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg71 as amended by subsections 7a71 7b71 and 7c71 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,independence ,program and inserting ,program for ,successful ,transition to ,adulthood2 7#b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking identify children who are likely to remain in foster care until #ah years of age and to help these children make the transition to self-sufficiency by providing services and inserting support all youth who have experienced foster care at age #ad or older in their transition to adulthood through transitional services2 7ii7 by inserting and post-secondary education after high school diploma2 and 7iii7 by striking training in daily living skills1 training in budgeting and financial management skills and inserting training and opportunities to practice daily living skills 7such as financial literacy training and driving instruction72 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking who are likely to remain in foster care until #ah years of age receive the education1 training1 and services necessary to obtain employment and inserting who have experienced foster care at age #ad or older achieve meaningful1 permanent connections with a caring adult2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking who are likely to remain in foster care until #ah years of age prepare for and enter postsecondary training and education institutions and inserting who have experienced foster care at age #ad or older engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities1 positive youth development1 and experiential learning that reflects what their peers in intact families experience2 and 7,d7 by striking paragraph 7#d7 and redesignating paragraphs 7#e7 through 7#h7 as paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#g72 7#c7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b77;,d71 by striking adolescents and inserting youth2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,d7-- 7,i7 by inserting including training on youth development after to provide training2 and 7,,ii7 by striking adolescents preparing for independent living and all that follows through the period and inserting youth preparing for a successful transition to adulthood and making a permanent connection with a caring adult42 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,h71 by striking adolescents each place it appears and inserting youth2 and 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,k7-- 7,i7 by striking an adolescent and inserting a youth2 and 7,,ii7 by striking the adolescent each place it appears and inserting the youth2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7f71 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,report to congress ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjag1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate a report on the ,national ,youth in ,transition ,database and any other databases in which ,states report outcome measures relating to children in foster care and children who have aged out of foster care or left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption4 ,the report shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a description of the reasons for entry into foster care and of the foster care experiences1 such as length of stay1 number of placement settings1 case goal1 and discharge reason of #ag-year-olds who are surveyed by the ,national ,youth in ,transition ,database and an analysis of the comparison of that description with the reasons for entry and foster care experiences of children of other ages who exit from foster care before attaining age #ag4 7,b7 ,a description of the characteristics of the individuals who report poor outcomes at ages #ai and #ba to the ,national ,youth in ,transition ,database4 7,c7 ,benchmarks for determining what constitutes a poor outcome for youth who remain in or have exited from foster care and plans the executive branch will take to incorporate these benchmarks in efforts to evaluate child welfare agency performance in providing services to children transitioning from foster care4 7,d7 ,an analysis of the association between types of placement1 number of overall placements1 time spent in foster care1 and other factors1 and outcomes at ages #ai and #ba4 7,e7 ,an analysis of the differences in outcomes for children in and formerly in foster care at age #ai and #ba among ,states4 4 7e7 ,clarifying documentation provided to foster youth leaving foster care ,section #dge7e77;,i7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fge7e77;,i77 is amended by inserting after ,,real ,,id ,act of #bjje the following3 1 and any official documentation necessary to prove that the child was previously in foster care4 ,,iv ,continuing ,incentives to ,states to ,promote ,adoption and ,legal ,guardianship #dja4 ,reauthorizing adoption and legal guardianship incentive programs ,section #dgc;,a of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgc;b7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#d71 by striking #bjac through #bjae and inserting #bjaf through #bjbj2 7#b7 in subsection 7h77#a77;,d71 by striking #bjaf and inserting #bjba2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7h77#b71 by striking #bjaf and inserting #bjba4 ,v ,technical ,corrections #eja4 ,technical corrections to data exchange standards to improve program coordination 7a7 ,in general ,section #ddj of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbim7 is amended to read as follows3 #ddj4 ,data exchange standards for improved interoperability 7a7 ,designation ,the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with an interagency work group established by the ,office of ,management and ,budget and considering ,state government perspectives1 by rule1 designate data exchange standards to govern1 under this part-- 7#a7 necessary categories of information that ,state agencies operating programs under ,state plans approved under this part are required under applicable ,federal law to electronically exchange with another ,state agency2 and 7#b7 ,federal reporting and data exchange required under applicable ,federal law4 7b7 ,requirements ,the data exchange standards required by paragraph 7#a7 shall1 to the extent practicable-- 7#a7 incorporate a widely accepted1 non-proprietary1 searchable1 computer-readable format1 such as the e,xtensible ,markup ,language2 7#b7 contain interoperable standards developed and maintained by intergovernmental partnerships1 such as the ,national ,information ,exchange ,model2 7#c7 incorporate interoperable standards developed and maintained by ,federal entities with authority over contracting and financial assistance2 7#d7 be consistent with and implement applicable accounting principles2 7#e7 be implemented in a manner that is cost-effective and improves program efficiency and effectiveness2 and 7#f7 be capable of being continually upgraded as necessary4 7c7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a change to existing data exchange standards found to be effective and efficient4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,not later than the date that is #bd months after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall issue a proposed rule that-- 7#a7 identifies federally required data exchanges1 includes specification and timing of exchanges to be standardized1 and addresses the factors used in determining whether and when to standardize data exchanges2 and 7#b7 specifies ,state implementation options and describes future milestones4 #ejb4 ,technical corrections to ,state requirement to address the developmental needs of young children ,section #dbb7;b77#ah7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbb7;b77#ah77 is amended by striking such children and inserting all vulnerable children under #e years of age4 ,,vi ,ensuring ,states reinvest savings resulting from increase in adoption assistance #fja4 ,delay of adoption assistance phase-in ,section #dgc7;e77#a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgc7;e77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking fiscal year each place it appears and inserting period2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding the table1 by striking fiscal year and inserting period2 and 7,b7 in the table-- 7i7 by striking of fiscal year3 and inserting of32 7ii7 by striking #bjaj and inserting ,fiscal year #bjaj2 7iii7 by striking #bjaa and inserting ,fiscal year #bjaa2 7iv7 by striking #bjab and inserting ,fiscal year #bjab2 7v7 by striking #bjac and inserting ,fiscal year #bjac2 7vi7 by striking #bjad and inserting ,fiscal year #bjad2 7vii7 by striking #bjae and inserting ,fiscal year #bjae2 7viii7 by striking #bjaf and inserting ,october #a1 #bjae1 through ,march #ca1 #bjai2 7ix7 by striking #bjag and inserting ,april #a1 #bjai1 through ,march #ca1 #bjbj2 and 7x7 by striking #bjah and inserting ,april #a1 #bjbj14 #fjb4 ,,gao study and report on ,state reinvestment of savings resulting from increase in adoption assistance 7a7 ,study ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall study the extent to which ,states are complying with the requirements of section #dgc7;a77#h7 of the ,social ,security ,act relating to the effects of phasing out the ,,afdc income eligibility requirements for adoption assistance payments under section #dgc of the ,social ,security ,act1 as enacted by section #djb of the ,fostering ,connections to ,success and ,increasing ,adoptions ,act of #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-cea2 #abb ,stat4 #cige7 and amended by section #bjf of the ,preventing ,sex ,trafficking and ,strengthening ,families ,act 7,public ,law #aac-ahc2 #abh ,stat4 #aiai74 ,in particular1 the ,comptroller ,general shall analyze the extent to which ,states are complying with the following requirements under section #dgc7;a77#h77;,d7 of the ,social ,security ,act3 7#a7 ,the requirement to spend an amount equal to the amount of the savings 7if any7 in ,state expenditures under part ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security resulting from phasing out the ,,afdc income eligibility requirements for adoption assistance payments under section #dgc of such ,act to provide to children of families any service that may be provided under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of such ,act4 7#b7 ,the requirement that a ,state shall spend not less than #cj percent of the amount of any savings described in subparagraph 7,a7 on post-adoption services1 post-guardianship services1 and services to support and sustain positive permanent outcomes for children who otherwise might enter into foster care under the responsibility of the ,state1 with at least #b_/c of the spending by the ,state to comply with the #cj-percent requirement being spent on post-adoption and post-guardianship services4 7b7 ,report ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services a report that contains the results of the study required by subsection 7a71 including recommendations to ensure compliance with laws referred to in subsection 7a74