3000 Introduction to the Title IV-E Program
Title IV-E Training Contracts Financial Handbook February 2013
Purpose and Background
Title IV-E funding was established to enable each state to provide, in appropriate cases:
• foster care for children who otherwise would have been eligible for assistance from Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), as the AFDC program existed on July 16, 1996;
• adoption assistance for children with special needs; and
• transitional independent living programs for foster care children who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18 or age out of foster care.
The Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. HHS) administers the Title IV-E foster care program.
The provisions of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provide federal financial participation (FFP) to states to partially offset the costs of maintaining and administering foster care.
DFPS is the state agency designated to receive Title IV-E funds and to cooperate with the federal government in the administration of Title IV-E in Texas.
42 U.S.C. §670, et. seq.
45 C.F.R. §1356.60(b)
Training Reimbursement
Title IV-E reimburses the costs for certain short-term and long-term training. Short-term training is training that lasts for fewer than eight consecutive work weeks. Long-term training is training that lasts at least eight consecutive work weeks.
45 C.F.R. §235.61(e),(f)
Federal financial participation (FFP) under Title IV-E is available at the rate of 75 percent of the costs for:
• training personnel who are employed or preparing for employment with DFPS, and;
• providing short-term training (including travel and per diem expenses) to:
• current and prospective foster or adoptive parents, and
• employees of child care institutions that are licensed or approved by the state to serve foster care children who are receiving Title IV-E assistance.
All training activities and costs funded under Title IV-E are included in DFPS’s training plan, under the Title IV-B State of Texas Child and Family Services Plan.
Short- and long-term training may be provided by educational institutions. In-service training also may be provided. All such training must be in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations.
45 C.F.R. §235.63, §235.64, §235.65, §235.66(a)