Federal Candidacy & Eligibility Review for Foster Care

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Federal Candidacy for Foster Care

18-OCFS-LCM-04 Federal Foster Care Candidacy Requirement

The federal government is requiring New York State to implement astatewide corrective action plan, which must include New York City, in order for the state and LDSSs to continue to receive Title IV-E reimbursement for administrative costs associated with candidates for foster care after March 31, 2018. This LCM sets forth the steps that LDSSs must take regarding the determination and documentation for candidates for foster care.

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
Title IV-E Reviews

The regulatory reviews of the title IV-E Foster Care program determine whether children in foster care meet the federal eligibility requirements for foster care maintenance payments claimed on their behalf. During these reviews, the Children’s Bureau examines child and provider case records, as well as payment documentation, to validate the accuracy of a Title IV-E agency’s reimbursement claims of foster care payments. Each Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (IV-E Review) details the strengths and weaknesses of a Title IV-E agency's program and identifies technical assistance that may be needed for program improvement.

Title IV-E Federal Foster Care Eligibility Review

The results of the 2018 federal Foster Care Eligibility Review show New York State is in substantial compliance.

Title IV-E 2018 Foster Care Eligibility Review Summary

OCFS thanks everyone who participated in the 2018 Foster Care Eligibility Review (FCER) Subsequent Primary Review. New York State was found to be in substantial compliance with Administration of Children and Families (ACF) findings of two error cases and twelve cases with improper payments.

OCFS thanks everyone who participated in the 2018 Foster Care Eligibility Review (FCER) Subsequent Primary Review. New York State was found to be in substantial compliance with Administration of Children and Families (ACF) findings of two error cases and twelve cases with improper payments.

2018 FCER Overview

The 2018 ACF FCER was conducted on 80 randomly selected cases from local districts and the OCFS Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY). NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) was exempt from the 2018 FCER as they are participating in the Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project.

The ACF sample was determined from the NYS Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS).

The Period Under Review was October 2017 to March 2018.

Facts and Figures from this review:

Missing Foster Care Title IV-E eligibility documentation included:

Financial Documentation

This was the first FCER that OCFS requested financial documentation to support expenditures. The local districts ability to provide this information prior to the on-site review significantly enhanced the federal staff’s ability to verify the allowability of costs and understand our coding and claiming processes in more detail. We appreciate the cooperation of the local district staff in obtaining and providing this documentation and look forward to working with you on an ongoing basis to maintain the appropriate documentation for Title IV-E allowability.

The results emphasize the importance of all the stakeholders working together to improve Title IV-E practice, including case documentation and financial documentation. By continuing our partnership, we will be ready for the next FCER in 2021.

Previous FCER Findings

Results from 2015 FCER:
16-OCFS-LCM-04 Federal Administration for Children and Families Final Report on the 2015 Subsequent Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review

Results from 2012 FCER:
13-OCFS-LCM-02 Federal Administration for Children and Families Final Report on the 2012 Title IV-E Primary Foster Care Eligibility Review

Results from 2009 FCER
10-OCFS-LCM-02 Federal Administration for Children and Families’ Final Report on the 2009 Title IV-E Subsequent Primary Foster Care Eligibility Review

Results from 2006 FCER
06-OCFS-LCM-11 Administration for Children and Families Final Report on the Title IV-E Secondary Foster Care Eligibility Review

Results from 2003 FCER
03-OCFS LCM-05 Admin. for Children and Families Final Report on the Title IV E Phase I