03/28/2026
Did you know about this,I didn’t !!
There is something called a Title IV-E Eligibility Determination Form in every foster care case.
This is the form the state has to complete to get federal funding for a child.
The state has to PROVE they followed federal law to get that money.
This form checks things like:
•Was the child removed legally (court order or voluntary placement)
•Did the judge actually say “contrary to the welfare”
•Did they make a “reasonable efforts” finding
•Was the placement properly licensed
•Does the state have legal responsibility
AND…
They even look at family income at the time of removal
Yes… income.
federal funding is tied to old poverty-based rules. 8.4A. TITLE IV-E, General Title IV-E Requirements, AFDC Eligibility cwpm.acf.gov
So two kids can be in the exact same situation…
…but one qualifies for federal funding and one doesn’t — just based on income.
Here’s why this matters:
If ANY of those required things are missing or wrong:
• The child is supposed to be “IV-E ineligible”
• The federal government is not supposed to pay
•The state loses reimbursement
This form is not just paperwork.
It forces CPS to show:
• They followed the law
• The court actually made required findings
• Everything was done correctly AND on time
You can ask for this.
You can request:
The Title IV-E eligibility determination form
The documents they used to complete it
Because that form will show:
• What CPS claimed
• What the court actually said
•Whether federal requirements were actually met
Once you know it exists…
you start asking very different questions.
If you’re in a case or know someone who is ,
This is something you should be looking at.
The Children's Bureau provides guidance to states, tribes, child welfare agencies, and more on the complex and varied federal laws as they relate to child welfare.