American Indian Tribal/State Title IV-E Intergovernmental Agreements: An Update on the Challenges and Opportunities for Accessing Foster Care and Adoption Assistance

Abstract

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act is one of the most important funding sources available to American Indian tribes for child welfare services. A nationwide content analysis of existing Title IV-E agreements was conducted, as well as qualitative surveys with tribal and state officials in states with IV-E agreements. Results of this study revealed that most IV-E agreements contain provisions for administrative costs and foster care maintenance payments. Roughly half of the agreements analyzed contain provisions for adoption maintenance payments. Findings are discussed in light of current legislation and recommendations are made to help facilitate effective IV-E agreements.

KEYWORDS:

• American Indian
• Native American
• child welfare
• Title IV-E
• foster care
• adoption

Notes

*Indicates that an agreement template or “boilerplate” was used for analysis for all tribal agreements included.

*Indicates that a state administrator did not respond to the question.