Review of the New York State's Home Approval and Certification Process for Title IV-E Foster Care Home Administered by the New York City Administration for Children and Services for the Period January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The New York State Department of Family Assistance (NYSDFA) and its local social services districts are responsible for placing children in need of protection into foster care.  Under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Federal matching of State foster care maintenance payments is available for children in foster care.  In order to claim reimbursement from the Title IV-E program, the child must meet eligibility requirements and be placed in a foster boarding home that met State requirements for licensing, certification and approval.  Based on our review, we found that the children were residing in homes that were in compliance with foster care eligibility requirements related to boarding home certifications and relative home approvals.