Child Welfare Funding Approaches and Program Objectives

Child welfare services are intended to prevent the abuse or neglect of children; ensure that children have safe, permanent homes; and promote the well-being of children and their families. The largest amount of federal child welfare funding is provided to states for assistance to children who have been removed from their homes (due primarily to abuse or neglect). In the past decade, the share of this support provided for children who remain in foster care has been on the decline, while the share provided for those who leave foster care for permanent homes (e.g., via adoption) has increased. This book examines recent and proposed federal funding issues for child welfare with a focus on services authorised under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, and The Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (P.L.112-34).