Title IV-E

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You are on this page: Title IV-E

Welcome to OCFS Bureau of Financial Operations-Title IV-E home page.

This page has the most current information related to Title IV-E and The federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration of Children and Families (ACF).

Please Note: The correct email address for the dedicated Title IV-E mailbox is: Title.IVE@ocfs.ny.gov

What is Title IV-E?

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 671-679b) is an important funding stream for foster care costs. It provides for federal reimbursement for a portion of the maintenance and administrative costs of foster care for children who meet specified federal eligibility requirements. In New York, the federal share is 50%. The federal funds help offset the State and local costs of providing foster care to children. However, not all children in foster care in New York are eligible for federal Title IV-E reimbursement.

These pages are a resource to assist OCFS, local districts and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, along with the other interested parties, to achieve the goals and action steps for continued compliance with federal standards and a successful federal review.

Announcements

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic the 2021 federal Foster Care Eligibility Review is temporarily delayed. An update will be provided when we receive notification from the federal Administration for Children’s Services.

Communications

You can access these and other OCFS policies at ocfs.ny.gov/main/policies/external/.

Administrative Directives

22-OCFS-ADM-19
The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA)

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of updates and revisions to current practices around securing Medicaid (MA) for children with special needs who are receiving Title IV-E eligible (Adoption Assistance) or non-Title IV-E eligible (State Adoption Subsidy) and who are moving across state lines. This includes all Title IV-E eligible children and non-Title IV-E eligible children moving into and out of New York State (NYS). The major changes to NYS’s Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) practice are new ICAMA forms, less required documentation and converting to a fully electronic submission and receipt of ICAMA requests using a shared email box ocfs.sm.bpsicama@ocfs.ny.gov.

22-OCFS-ADM-07
Provision of Aftercare in Qualified Residential Treatment Programs and EMPOWER Programs

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to advise local departments of social services (LDSS) and voluntary authorized agencies (VA) of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requirements related to the mandatory provision of aftercare services to children discharged from qualified residential treatment programs (QRTP) or EMPOWER QRTP exception programs (EMPOWER) licensed by OCFS under the federal Family First Preventive Services Act (FFPSA) and New York State regulations.

22-OCFS-ADM-04
Chapter 798 Laws of 2021: Youth Reentry Into Foster Care Ages 18-21

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs), voluntary authorized agencies (VAs), runaway and homeless youth programs and coordinators, and other entities of the requirements in Chapter 798 of the Laws of 2021 (Chapter 798). Chapter 798 amends various sections of the Family Court Act (FCA) related to youth between the ages of 18 and 21 who are reentering foster care.

22-OCFS-ADM-02
Supervised Setting Program (SSP) Implementation

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the newly established Supervised Setting Programs (SSPs) that allow transition aged youth to live independently in a variety of supervised settings.

22-OCFS-ADM-01
Revised Education Stability and Transportation Requirements for Children in Foster Care

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to release the revised Students in Foster Care Tool Kit for Local Education Agencies and Local Departments of Social Services, developed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the New York State Education Department (SED), that must be used to meet requirements under federal and state law pertaining to the school enrollment and transportation of children in foster care. The tool kit is designed to create a standard process by which local departments of social services (LDSSs), voluntary agencies (VAs), and local education agencies (LEAs) must coordinate efforts to promote educational stability for students in foster care.

21-OCFS-ADM-32
Long-Stayer Reviews

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSS) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the process required for any youth placed in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) where the LDSS believes that youth may require treatment at the QRTP level of care beyond the statutory timeframes established under the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).

  • OCFS-5356 – Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Long-Stayer Review Form
21-OCFS-ADM-31
Referral Process for Placement in a Prenatal, Postpartum, Parenting Program

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the process to determine whether a referral may be made for a youth to be placed in a prenatal, postpartum, parenting (PPP) program and to detail the documentation that must accompany the referral.

21-OCFS-ADM-29 – Maximum State Aid Rates for Foster Care Programs and Residential Programs for In-State Committee on Special Education Placements – Effective July 1, 2021, Through March 31, 2022

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to issue Maximum State Aid Rates (MSARs) for Foster Care Programs and In-State Committee on Special Education (CSE) Maintenance Rates for State Education Department (SED)-Approved Residential Schools, effective July 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022.

  • Attachment A 21-OCFS-ADM-29 – MSARs for Foster Boarding Home Payments and Adoption Subsidies 2021-22 Rate Year (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
  • Attachment B 21-OCFS-ADM-29 – MSARs for Supervised Independent Living Programs (SILPs) 2021-22 Rate Year (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
  • Attachment C 21-OCFS-ADM-29 – Growth Factors Applied to Voluntary Foster Care AgencyMSARs and CSE Maintenance Rates 2021-22 Rate Year (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
  • Attachment D 21-OCFS-ADM-29 – MSARs for Voluntary Foster Care Agencies 2021-22 Rate Year (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
  • Attachment E 21-OCFS-ADM-29 – In-State CSE Maintenance Rates for SED-Approved Residential Programs Licensed by OCFS 2021-22 Rate Year (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
  • Attachment F 21-OCFS-ADM-29 – In-State CSE Maintenance Rates for SED-Approved Residential Programs Licensed by Other New York State Agencies 2021-22 Rate Year (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
21-OCFS-ADM-22
Reimbursement for up to 14 days of Absence Without Consent (AWOC) in EMPOWER Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Exception Programs

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to advise local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) – particularly those operating programs serving children and youth who are found to be, or are at risk of becoming, victims or survivors of sex trafficking – of the ability for EMPOWER programs to be reimbursed for up to 14 consecutive days for youth who run away or are absent without consent (AWOC).

21-OCFS-ADM-20
Revised Model Contract for Purchase of Foster Care Services

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the most recent revisions made to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) model contract for the purchase of foster care services. The revised model contract for the purchase of foster care services outlined in this ADM replaces the model contract issued in 15-OCFS-ADM-14 and cancels that ADM.

21-OCFS-ADM-19 – Requirements to Operate an EMPOWER Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Exception Program

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to advise local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) "particularly those operating programs serving children and youth who are found to be, or are at risk of becoming, sex trafficking victims or survivors" of new requirements pertaining to programs designed to meet the needs of this population. These new requirements are based on the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which was enacted on February 9, 2018, and becomes effective in New York State (NYS) on September 29, 2021. This ADM was revised on October 28, 2021, to allow physical restraints when necessary to prevent serious bodily harm, and again on February 10, 2022, to clarify staffing ratio requirements.

21-OCFS-ADM-18
Prenatal, Postpartum, Parenting Programs: Qualified Residential Treatment Programs Exception in New York State

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to detail and describe to local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) New York State's (NYS) approach to certifying congregate care programs as prenatal, postpartum, parenting (PPP) Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) Exceptions. It outlines the framework of a PPP program and details the requirements and process to apply for PPP program certification.

21-OCFS-ADM-17
Role and Responsibility of the Qualified Individual in New York State

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to detail and describe the role and responsibility of the Qualified Individual (QI) in New York State (NYS), to provide a format for a Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) to attest to QI qualifications if needed (Attachment A), and to distribute a QI model contract template (Attachment B) for the purchase of QI services.

21-OCFS-ADM-07
Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the requirements in Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, Division X of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law (P.L.) 116-260, including a moratorium on youth aging out of foster care, reentry into foster care for youth who previously aged out of foster care during the COVID-19 health emergency period, and additional funding for the Chafee and Education Training Vouchers. The ADM also introduces the process LDSSs and VAs must follow to obtain title IV-E reimbursement for maintenance costs for youth who remain in foster care after age 21 or youth who reenter foster care at 21 years of age or older.

21-OCFS-ADM-06
Maximum State Aid Rates for Foster Care Programs and Residential Programs for In-State Committee on Special Education Placements – Effective July 1, 2020, Through March 31, 2021

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to issue Maximum State Aid Rates (MSARs) for Foster Care Programs and In-State Committee on Special Education (CSE) Maintenance Rates for State Education Department (SED)-Approved Residential Schools, effective July 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. Please note that all published MSARs and CSE Maintenance Rates remain in effect for payment and reimbursement until modified or deleted by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). A subsequent ADM will be published to specify rate revisions for the balance of Rate Year (RY) 2020-21, April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. At that time, local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary agencies will be advised regarding rate changes and payment requirements for that period.

  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 Attachment A – Maximum State Aid Rates for Foster Boarding Home Payments and Adoption Subsidies 2020-21 Rate Year
  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 Attachment B – MSARs for Supervised Independent Living Programs (SILPs) 2020-21 Rate Year (July 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021)
  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 Attachment C – Growth Factors Applied to Voluntary Foster Care Agency MSARs and CSE Maintenance Rates 2020-21 Rate Year (July 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021)
  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 Attachment D – New York State Office of Children and Family Services Standards of Payment for Foster Care of Children MSARs for Voluntary Agencies July 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021
  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 Attachment E – New York State Office of Children and Family Services Standards of Payment for Foster Care of Children In-State CSE Maintenance Rates for SED-Approved Residential Programs Licensed by OCFS July 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021
  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 Attachment F – New York State Office of Children and Family Services Standards of Payment for Foster Care of Children In-State CSE Maintenance Rates for SED-Approved Residential Programs Licensed by Other New York State Agencies July 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021
21-OCFS-ADM-04
Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) and QRTP Exceptions in New York State

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to detail and describe New York State’s (NYS) approach to certifying congregate care programs as Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) in order to allow children residing in the programs to remain eligible under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act (Title IV-E). Local Departments of Social Services (LDSSs) will not be able to claim for continued (more than 14 days) Title IV-E reimbursement as of September 29, 2021, for children and youth in foster care placed in congregate care settings on or after this date, unless such setting is a QRTP or a QRTP Exception. This ADM also provides preliminary information and expectations regarding the programs that will qualify as QRTP Exceptions in NYS.

  • OCFS-4992 – Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Attestation Form
20-OCFS-ADM-23
Stafford Act Flexibility

This Administrative Directive (ADM) outlines key provisions of Chapter 810 of the Laws of 2021 amended by Chapter 38 of the Laws of 2022. This law, as of December 29, 2022, raises the lower age (RTLA) of juvenile delinquency under the Family Court Act (FCA) from 7 to 12 years of age, with an exception for alleged homicide offenses. In addition, the amendment raises the lower age for youth in secure detention from 10 to 13 years of age unless the youth is alleged to have committed a homicide offense.

20-OCFS-ADM-22
Persons In Need of Supervision Reform Changes

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to provide an updated outline and description of the changes made to Article 7 of the Family Court Act (FCA) to enact Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) reform effective January 1, 2020. Please note that provisions related to truancy allegations of youth, pursuant to Chapter 362 of the Laws of 2018, went into effect as of March 7, 2019. In accordance with legislation enacted in 2017, all state reimbursement funding for PINS placements was eliminated as of January 1, 2020. As such, this guidance is necessary to outline the impacts of the 2019 Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) reform legislation, which limits the settings PINS respondent youth can be placed, eliminates the use of detention for PINS youth, and sets firm time limits regarding placement periods and the filing of placement extensions. This ADM replaces 19-OCFS-ADM-22—Persons In Need of Supervision Reform Changes, which was previously issued.

  • 20-OCFS-ADM-22 Attachment A – System Instructions for Youth Ordered to Pre-dispositional Placement in a Foster Care Setting and Post-dispositional Placement Under Article 7
20-OCFS-ADM-21
New Purchase of Service (POS) Types for Authorizing Special Payments

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs) of new Welfare Management System (WMS) Purchase of Service (POS) types that must be used for authorizing special payment expenditures for children in foster care residing in foster boarding homes (FBHs). This ADM also provides direction on the authorization of the new POS types.

20-OCFS-ADM-08
Approval of Emergency Foster Boarding Homes and Expanded Waiver Authority

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to release the standardized forms that must be used to complete the expedited home studies to approve emergency foster boarding homes (FBHs). It also reminds local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations that allow LDSSs/VAs to approve kin as emergency FBHs to provide care to a specific child(ren) who needs immediate placement in an FBH. Finally, this ADM informs LDSSs and VAs about amendments to OCFS regulations that expand the definition of "relative” for the purpose of approval of an FBH and expands regulatory non-safety, non-statutory waiver authority to include individuals who meet the requirements to become an approved FBH.

  • OCFS-5300A – Emergency Foster Home Application
  • OCFS-5300B – Prospective Emergency Foster Parent Statement
  • OCFS-5300C – Expedited Home Study Evaluation
  • OCFS-5300D – Expedited Home Study Checklist for Caseworker
20-OCFS-ADM-04
Replacement Clothing for Children in Foster Care

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to advise local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of changes in the Welfare Management System (WMS) regarding the authorization and payment of replacement clothing for children in foster care residing in foster boarding homes (FBHs). This ADM does not change the WMS authorization process for initial clothing for children in foster care residing in FBHs or child care facility settings.

19-OCFS-ADM-22
Person In Need of Supervision Reform Changes

The purpose of this Administrative Directive is to outline and describe the changes made to Article 7 of the Family Court Act (FCA) to enact Person In Need of Supervision (PINS) reform effective January 1, 2020. Please note that provisions related to truancy allegations of youth, pursuant to Chapter 362 of the Laws of 2018, went into effect as of March 7, 2019.

  • 19-OCFS-ADM-22 Attachment A – System Instructions for Youth Ordered to Pre-dispositional Placement in a Foster Care Setting and Post-dispositional Placement Under Article 7
19-OCFS-ADM-08
Required Forms for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Placement Referrals

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the requirement to utilize revised forms when submitting a new request under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The forms have been revised for ease of use. The process for submitting a request remains unchanged.

  • OCFS-5050 – Checklist for Caseworkers for ICPC Home Study Requests
  • OCFS-5050G – Residential Placement Checklist for Caseworkers - Regulation 4
  • OCFS-5050A – Cover Sheet
  • OCFS-5050B – Certification of Title IV-E Eligibility for Interstate Placements of New York Children
  • OCFS-5050C – Financial-Medical Plan
  • OCFS-5050D – Detailed Child Summary
  • OCFS-5050E – Signed Statement of Sending Agency Case Manager
  • OCFS-5050F – Expedited Placement Decision Home Study Request Form - Regulation 7-Combined Form
19-OCFS-ADM-07
FFPSA Model Licensing Standards and Updated Forms for the Certification or Approval of Foster/Adoptive Homes

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to advise local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of the release of the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) model licensing standards and the alignment of New York State’s process for certifying or approving foster homes with the model standards. This ADM also releases the updated forms that must be used by LDSSs and VAs when certifying or approving foster or foster/adoptive homes.

11-OCFS-ADM-02
Re-entry into Foster Care by Former Foster Care Youth between the Ages of 18 and 21

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to advise local departments of social services (LDSS) and voluntary authorized agencies of the provisions of Chapter 342 of the Laws of 2010 and related amendments to federal and state law. Chapter 342 permits former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 21 to re-enter foster care under certain circumstances, and requires LDSS to provide notice to a youth transitioning out of care of his or her right to re-enter care. Chapter 342 became effective November 11, 2010.

10-OCFS-ADM-10
Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption to Age 21

The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to provide guidance to social services districts (districts) about new requirements regarding Title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance eligibility until age 21, as enacted by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351). These provisions become effective on October 1, 2010. In addition, this ADM includes a listing of Eligibility Re-determination Criteria and Documentation Requirements for Foster Children Over the Age of 18 or 19 (see Attachment A), and a new Model Letter (see Attachment B) and Model Certification Form OCFS 7073 (see Attachment C) pertinent to certain hard-toplace adopted children. The Eligibility Manual for Child Welfare Programs will be updated with this information (Chapters 1A and 1B) and a revised Redetermination of Title IV-E Eligibility Checklist (Foster Care) [LDSS 4810] will reflect these changes.

Informational Letters

22-OCFS-INF-07
New Supervised Setting Programs (SSPs) Maximum State Aid Rates (MSARs) and Corresponding Entry of Information Into CONNECTIONS

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to announce the publication of Maximum State Aid Rates (MSARs) for Supervised Setting Programs (SSPs). This INF also provides clarity to local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) on how to enter and maintain certification or approval in CONNECTIONS necessary to populate the correct Rate Code for the supervised setting.

22-OCFS-INF-02
Education and Training Voucher Application and Eligibility Requirements

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary agencies (VAs) of the application and eligibility requirements that must be met for youth to participate in the New York State Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program. This INF will also address the temporary changes still in effect for the ETV program due to the passage of P.L. 116-260 Consolidated Appropriation Act.

21-OCFS-INF-08
Supervised Settings as Expanded Placement Options for Older Youth in Foster Care

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary authorized agencies (VAs) of expectations for the forthcoming Supervised Setting Programs (SSPs) that will allow older youth in foster care to live independently. Such settings are Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Exceptions (also referred to as specified settings ) under the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA); therefore, eligible youth in foster care ages 18-21 residing in such settings may remain in those settings and be eligible for reimbursement under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act (Title IV-E) on and after September 29, 2021. This INF is the first Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) guidance document that will be released regarding SSPs. OCFS will release an Administrative Directive (ADM) providing further guidance and required actions for LDSSs and VAs to take to apply for and operate SSPs, and to approve or certify supervised settings.

21-OCFS-INF-05
Title IV-E Reimbursement for Legal Representation Services for Children and Parents in Child Welfare Proceedings

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to provide counties and the City of New York and tribal governments with the opportunity to access federal title IV-E funding for certain allowable administrative costs for the legal representation of children and parents. This INF establishes the definition of eligible populations, allowable administrative expenses, data elements and supportive documentation that must be submitted in order to claim for title IV-E reimbursement for eligible and allowable administration and training costs associated with providing legal representation services to children and their parents in child welfare proceedings for state fiscal year (SFY) 2021-22.

21-OCFS-INF-04
Temporary Federal Changes to Chafee, ETV and Title IV-E

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary agencies (VAs) of the impact of the P.L. 116-260 Consolidated Appropriation Act Division X, Section 3 and 4.

21-OCFS-INF-03
2021 Income Standards for the Child and Family Services Plan

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to transmit to the local departments of social services (LDSSs) the 2021 federal poverty guidelines on annual income to be used in determining eligibility for services.

21-OCFS-INF-02
Education and Training Voucher Application and Eligibility Requirements

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary agencies (VAs) of the application and eligibility requirements that must be met for youth to participate in the New York State Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program. This INF will also address the temporary changes made to the ETV program due to the passage of P.L. 116-260 Consolidated Appropriation Act.

2-OCFS-INF-05
Education and Training Voucher Application and Eligibility Requirements

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary agencies (VAs) of the application and eligibility requirements that must be met for youth to participate in the New York State Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program.

20-OCFS-INF-03
County Cooperative Agreements and Claiming Examples

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to reiterate previous examples and provide additional examples of the circumstances under which costs may be properly claimed for reimbursement through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) through cooperative agreements and purchase of services agreements between the local social services districts (local districts) and other local government entities (referred to hereafter as “cooperative agreements”). These examples originate from the multiple agreements OCFS has reviewed.

19-OCFS-INF-05
Education and Training Voucher Application and Eligibility Requirements

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) and voluntary agencies (VAs) of the application and eligibility requirements that must be met for youth to participate in the New York State Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program.

08-OCFS-INF-04
Out of State Foster Homes Documentation of Licensure for Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility

The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to provide supplemental guidance to local departments of social services (LDSS) and voluntary authorized agencies regarding documentation requirements applicable to foster homes located in other states in which children in the care and custody or the custody and guardianship of an LDSS are placed. At issue is the documentation of the licensure status of the foster home located in another state for the purpose of complying with Title IV-E eligibility requirements. This release complements the informational letter (07-OCFS-INF-06) issued by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) on July 25, 2007, addressing issues identified in the 2006 federal Title IV-E Eligibility Review.

Local Commissioner Memorandums

22-OCFS-LCM-21
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Foster Care Block Grant Allocations

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide local departments of social services (LDSSs) with their Foster Care Block Grant allocations for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23.

22-OCFS-LCM-15
Federal Fiscal Year 2022 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood: Independent Living Allocations

The purpose of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (CFCP) is to assist current and former youth in foster care achieve self-sufficiency. This Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) informs local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the CFCP allocations from the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 funds. The allocations contained in this LCM’s Attachment A may be used for independent living (IL) services expenditures made from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022, and claimed by March 31, 2023. Such claims will be paid up to the amount of the allocation and are subject to a 20% state/local match requirement. Unclaimed allocation amounts may be redistributed to other LDSSs that have claims in excess of the allocation or used to support the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) activities related to implementation of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act, allowing New York State to maximize its use of funds available under this federal funding stream.

22-OCFS-LCM-13
Supporting Foster Youth Through the Pandemic Act

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum is to clarify for local departments of social services (LDSSs) the use of federal Chafee funding in 2020 to support eligible youth who aged out of foster care during the time frame listed below. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the potential instability of young adults who aged out of foster care in New York State. To address the challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) allocated $1,511,287 of the Chafee pandemic funding to LDSSs specifically for youth who aged out of care from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, without a safe and stable transition plan.

22-OCFS-LCM-12
Raise the Age Public Safety Claiming

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide localities with claiming instructions for certain Raise the Age (RTA) public safety expenses made in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23. There are no notable changes from the prior year’s issuance of this LCM.

22-OCFS-LCM-11
Child Welfare Advances, Intercepts, Chargebacks, and Claims Adjustments

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of advances, intercepts, chargebacks, and other bottom-line adjustments that will be processed during the year. This LCM updates information provided in 21-OCFS-LCM-17.

22-OCFS-LCM-01
FFY 2022 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received to date for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022.

21-OCFS-LCM-32
Revised Federal Fiscal Year 2020 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood: Independent Living Allocations

The purpose of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (CFCP) is to help current and former foster care youth achieve self-sufficiency. This Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) informs local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the CFCP allocations from the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 funds and provides the amount of FFY 20 Chafee that was used to support youth over the age of 21 (aging out).

21-OCFS-LCM-27
FFY 2021 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021. This LCM updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 21-OCFS-LCM-10 and provides notification of new awards received. There are no other noticeable differences.

  • 21-OCFS-LCM-27 Attachment A – Attachment for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants – Title IV-E FFY 2021 Adoption Assistance
  • 21-OCFS-LCM-27 Attachment B – Attachment for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants – Title IV-E FFY 2021 Kinship Guardianship
  • 21-OCFS-LCM-27 Attachment C – Attachment for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants – Title IV-E FFY 2020 Foster Care Awards
21-OCFS-LCM-25
FFY 2020 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020. This LCM updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 21-OCFS-LCM-09 and provides notification of new awards received. There are no other noticeable differences.

21-OCFS-LCM-22
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Foster Care Block Grant Allocations

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide local departments of social services (LDSSs) with their Foster Care Block Grant allocations for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22. Notable differences from the prior year Foster Care Block Grant LCM include a revision to the allocation methodology.

21-OCFS-LCM-17
Child Welfare Advances, Intercepts, Chargebacks, and Claims Adjustments

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of advances, intercepts, chargebacks, and other bottom-line adjustments that will be processed during the year.

21-OCFS-LCM-15
Raise the Age Public Safety Claiming

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide localities with claiming instructions for certain Raise the Age (RTA) public safety expenses made in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22.

21-OCFS-LCM-10
FFY 2021 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021. This LCM updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 21-OCFS-LCM-03 and provides notification of new awards received. There are no other noticeable differences.

  • 21-OCFS-LCM-10 Attachment A – Attachment for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants –Title IV-E FFY 2021 Adoption Assistance
  • 21-OCFS-LCM-10 Attachment B – Attachment for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants – Title IV-E FFY 2021 Kinship Guardianship
  • 21-OCFS-LCM-10 Attachment C – Attachment for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants – Title IV-E FFY 2021 Foster Care Awards
21-OCFS-LCM-09
FFY 2020 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020. This LCM updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 21-OCFS-LCM-04 and provides notification of new awards received. There are no other noticeable differences.

21-OCFS-LCM-07
Federal Fiscal Year 2021 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood: Independent Living Allocations

The purpose of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (CFCP) is to assist current and former youth in foster care achieve self-sufficiency. This Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) informs local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the CFCP allocations from the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021 funds.

21-OCFS-LCM-05
Use of Foster Care Block Grant for Funding the Fostering Futures New York Program

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to advise local departments social services (LDSSs) of the authority to use their Foster Care Block Grant (FCBG) allocations to purchase the Fostering Futures New York (FFNY) program.

21-OCFS-LCM-04
FFY 2020 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020. This LCM updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 20-OCFS-LCM-18 and provides notification of new awards received. There are no other noticeable differences.

21-OCFS-LCM-03
FFY 2021 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021. This LCM provides notification of FFY 2021 grant awards.

20-OCFS-LCM-22
Raise the Age Finger Lakes Southern Tier County Collaborative (FLSTCC) Claiming for Regional Detention Planning Services

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide localities with claiming instructions for the Finger Lakes Southern Tier County Collaborative (FLSTCC) for regional detention planning services related to Raise the Age (RTA) made in calendar year 2020 and calendar year 2021.

20-OCFS-LCM-18
FFY 2020 Title IV Awards

(LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020. This LCM, along with 20-OCFS-LCM-17 (FFY 2019 Title IV Awards), updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 20-OCFS-LCM-09. There are no other noticeable differences.

20-OCFS-LCM-17
FFY 2019 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards that have been received for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019. This LCM, along with 20-OCFS-LCM-18 (FFY 2020 Title IV Awards), updates amounts reflected in the attachments provided in 20-OCFS-LCM-09. There are no other noticeable differences.

20-OCFS-LCM-11
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020-21 Foster Care Block Grant Allocations

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requires your review of student placement data for the 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 school years for children who have educational disabilities and were reported to OCFS by local departments of social services (LDSSs) pursuant to section 4006 of the Education Law (EL). The New York State Education Department (NYSED) records student placement data in its System to Track and Account for Children (STAC). The 2020-21 school year closes June 25, 2021. Placement data is due by September 30, 2021. An LDSS's reimbursement may be forfeited if the LDSS's submission is late. Submission instructions are attached to this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM). There are no notable differences from the previous LCM, Tuition Reimbursement for Children Who Have Educational Disabilities and Are Placed in Institutions (20-OCFS-LCM-08).

20-OCFS-LCM-07
Federal Fiscal Year 2020 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood: Independent Living Allocations

The purpose of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (CFCP) is to offer assistance to help current and former foster care youths achieve self-sufficiency. This Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) informs local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the CFCP allocations from the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 funds. The allocations contained in this memorandum’s Attachment A may be used for Independent Living (IL) services expenditures made from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020, and claimed by March 31, 2021.

20-OCFS-LCM-05
State Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Title IV Awards

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the Title IV (United States Code §§601-687, Subchapter IV, Chapter 7, Title 42) awards they have received during State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2019-2020.

19-OCFS-LCM-20
Eligibility Case File Maintenance

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to notify local departments of social services (LDSSs) of the requirement to maintain separate eligibility files related to each child for whom the LDSS is claiming federal and/or state reimbursement. Some children will be eligible for multiple programs. The eligibility files must meet all state and federal requirements and be readily accessible, in case of monitoring or auditing by state and/or federal officials.

  • OCFS-4777 – Federal Foster Care Candidacy Determination Form
  • OCFS-2125 – Title IV-E Eligibility Documentation File
  • OCFS-4401 – Adoption Subsidy Eligibility Documentation File
  • OCFS-4435a – Kinship Guardianship Assistance Eligibility Checklist
  • OCFS-4435b – Kinship Guardianship Assistance Eligibility Checklist Instructions
19-OCFS-LCM-18
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2019-20 Foster Care Block Grant Allocations

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide local departments of social services (LDSSs) with their Foster Care Block Grant allocations for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2019-20. There are no notable differences from prior year Foster Care Block Grant LCMs.

19-OCFS-LCM-17
Child Welfare Advances, Intercepts, Chargebacks, and Claims Adjustments

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to inform local departments of social services (LDSSs) of advances, intercepts, chargebacks, and other bottom-line adjustments that will be processed during the year.

19-OCFS-LCM-11
Federal Administration for Children and Families Final Report on the 2018 Title IV-E Primary Foster Care Eligibility Review

New York State was in compliance with federal Title IV-E child and provider eligibility requirements by the federal Administration for Children and Families. This determination was based on the Subsequent Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review. This LCM transmits the attached ACF Final Report on the 2018 Subsequent Primary Review.

19-OCFS-LCM-09
Family First Transition Fund

This LCM advises LDSSs of the availability of $3,000,000 from the Family First Transition Fund. On April 12, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed legislation that established the Family First Transition Fund to help LDSSs support, recruit and retain current and prospective foster families, including kinship caregivers (Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2019).

19-OCFS-LCM-08
Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Independent Living Allocations

The purpose of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) is to offer assistance to help current and former foster care youths achieve self-sufficiency. This LCM informs local departments of social services of the CFCIP allocations from the Federal Fiscal Year 2019 funds.

19-OCFS-LCM-03
Raise the Age Public Safety Claiming

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide localities with claiming instructions for certain Raise the Age (RTA) Public Safety expenses made in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2018-19 and SFY 2019-20.

19-OCFS-LCM-02
Raise the Age Claiming

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide localities with Raise the Age (RTA)-related implications as they pertain to the Automated Claiming System (ACS), the Benefits Issuance and Control System (BICS), CONNECTIONS, and the Welfare Management System (WMS).

09-OCFS-LCM-12
Highlights of Changes in Adoption Assistance Eligibility

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to advise social service district staff of the newly revised Chapter 1B of the Eligibility Manual for Child Welfare Programs pertaining to Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Eligibility, State Adoption Subsidy, and Medical Assistance (MA) eligibility for those cases. As a result of these changes, the associated Checklist (LDSS 3912) for determining eligibility for Title IV-E Adoption Assistance, State Adoption Subsidy and MA has also been revised, effective October 1, 2009. This LCM contains highlights of the chapter and checklist changes.

08-OCFS-LCM-01
Ineligibility for Title IV-E Foster Care for Placement in Certain Non OCFS License Programs

The purpose of this Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) is to provide information to social services districts (local districts) to prevent local districts from claiming Title IV-E foster care maintenance funds for children in their care who are in specialized placements in certain facilities licensed by agencies other than the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) that are not Title IV-E eligible placements. This LCM addresses only those factors regarding the eligibility of the facility in which an otherwise Title IV-E eligible foster child is being placed

General Information System Messages

These policies provide guidance to local departments of social services regarding the payment and reimbursement of respite care and services provided for foster care children. You can access these and other GIS policies with this link (requires NYENET access): GIS System Change Notices

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