Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 P.L. 110-351 became law on
October 7th, 2008

P.L. 110.351 is designed to connect and support relative caregivers, improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care and adoption access, and improve incentives for adoption. The legislation also reauthorized the Adoption Incentives Program through 2013.
(N.B. Different sections of P.L. 110-351 have different implementation dates.)

Resources and publications on Fostering Connections for ICAMA administrators.

Sections of P.L. 110-351 that most directly affect ICAMA professionals are:
Promotion of Adoption of Special Needs Children
The eligibility for adoption assistance is no longer linked with the income requirements of AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). P.L. 110-351 requires that any money saved because eligibility changes must be reinvested in services. This part creates a series of changes to be gradually introduced into practice for ‘applicable’ children.
See Title IV in Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 P.L. 110-351.
See the U.S.C.,TITLE 42,CHAPTER 7, SUBCHAPTER IV, Part E, § 673. See section (c).

Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP)
States have the option to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of the children. States are entitled to claim federal title IV-E reimbursement for this purpose.
See Title I in Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 P.L. 110-351.
See the U.S.C.,TITLE 42,CHAPTER 7, SUBCHAPTER IV, Part E, § 671. See paragraph 28,
and U.S.C.,TITLE 42,CHAPTER 7, SUBCHAPTER IV, Part E, § 673. See section (a).

Index of all the Sections of Fostering Connections.

Fostering Connections Resources

• Applicable child by date through 2018  Chart
• State policy on adoption of GAP and age to which it is extended
• National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC)
  The website provides comprehensive information on the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Children’s Bureau Policy, guidance, and other implementation activities.
• Training  Presentation, by Ms. Lowery-Palmer, Children’s Bureau
• CMS on Medicaid Eligbility  GAP Cases
• Program Instructions (PIs) issued by the Children’s Bureau
  1. ACYF-CB-PI-10-11  Guidance on Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
  2. ACYF-CB-PI-10-01  Title IV-E Plans, Kinship Guardianship Assistance, Training, Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
  3. ACYF-CB-PI-08-007  Title IV-E State Plan Amendment-Guardianship Assistance Program; Title IV-E Guardianship Demonstration Projects; Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008
  4. ACYF-CB-PI-08-007  Title IV-E Plan Ammendment template
• Updates to the Child Welfare Policy Manual released by the Children’s Bureau
  1. 8.2B TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Eligibility
  2. 8.2B.11 TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Eligibility, Special Needs
  3. 8.2B.12 TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Eligibility, SSI
  4. 8.5A Guardianship Assistance Program, Agreements
  5. 8.5B Guardianship Assistance Program, Eligibility
  6. 8.5C Guardianship Assistance Program, Payments
  7. 8.5C.1 Guardianship Assistance Program, Payments, Termination
• Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program FAQs

On October 7, 2008, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351, Fostering Connections Act) was signed into law. This law amends parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act.

The Children’s Bureau has issued 3 Program Instuctions (PIs) to clarify and explain procedures and methods for operationalizing program policies and to add details to program regulations or policy guide requirements related to the Fostering Connections Act that affect the administration of the ICAMA.

• CB-PI-10-11 – Guidance on Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
• CB-PI-10-01 – Title IV-E Plans, Kinship Guardianship Assistance, Training, Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
• CB-PI-08-007 – Title IV-E State Plan Amendment Guardianship Assistance Program; Title IV-E Guardianship Demonstration Projects; Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008

To see P.L. 110-351 click here.

Fostering Connections Resources

• Applicable child by date through 2018  Chart
• State policy on adoption of GAP and age to which it is extended
• National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC)
  The website provides comprehensive information on the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Children’s Bureau Policy, guidance, and other implementation activities.
• Training  Presentation, by Ms. Lowery-Palmer, Children’s Bureau
• CMS on Medicaid Eligbility  GAP Cases
• Program Instructions (PIs) issued by the Children’s Bureau
  1. ACYF-CB-PI-10-11  Guidance on Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
  2. ACYF-CB-PI-10-01  Title IV-E Plans, Kinship Guardianship Assistance, Training, Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
  3. ACYF-CB-PI-08-007  Title IV-E State Plan Amendment-Guardianship Assistance Program; Title IV-E Guardianship Demonstration Projects; Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008
  4. ACYF-CB-PI-08-007  Title IV-E Plan Ammendment template
• Updates to the Child Welfare Policy Manual released by the Children’s Bureau
  1. 8.2B TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Eligibility
  2. 8.2B.11 TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Eligibility, Special Needs
  3. 8.2B.12 TITLE IV-E, Adoption Assistance Program, Eligibility, SSI
  4. 8.5A Guardianship Assistance Program, Agreements
  5. 8.5B Guardianship Assistance Program, Eligibility
  6. 8.5C Guardianship Assistance Program, Payments
  7. 8.5C.1 Guardianship Assistance Program, Payments, Termination
• Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program FAQs

Fostering Connections continued

On October 7, 2008, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351, Fostering Connections Act) was signed into law. This law amends parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act.

The Children’s Bureau has issued 3 Program Instuctions (PIs) to clarify and explain procedures and methods for operationalizing program policies and to add details to program regulations or policy guide requirements related to the Fostering Connections Act that affect the administration of the ICAMA.

• CB-PI-10-11 – Guidance on Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
• CB-PI-10-01 – Title IV-E Plans, Kinship Guardianship Assistance, Training, Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
• CB-PI-08-007 – Title IV-E State Plan Amendment Guardianship Assistance Program; Title IV-E Guardianship Demonstration Projects; Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008

To see P.L. 110-351 click here.