[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 45, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 45CFR1355.53]



[Page 283-285]

 

                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE

 

CHAPTER XIII--OFFICE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

                           AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

PART 1355_GENERAL--Table of Contents

 

Sec. 1355.53  Conditions for approval of funding.



    (a) As a condition of funding, the SACWIS must be designed, 

developed (or an existing system enhanced), and installed in accordance 

with an approved advance planning document



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(APD). The APD must provide for a design which, when implemented, will 

produce a comprehensive system, which is effective and efficient, to 

improve the program management and administration of the State plans for 

titles IV-B and IV-E as provided under this section.

    (b) At a minimum, the system must provide for effective management, 

tracking and reporting by providing automated procedures and processes 

to:

    (1) Meet the Adoption and Foster Care reporting requirements through 

the collection, maintenance, integrity checking and electronic 

transmission of the data elements specified by the Adoption and Foster 

Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) requirements mandated under 

section 479(b) of the Act and Sec. 1355.40 of this part;

    (2) Provide, for electronic exchanges and referrals, as appropriate, 

with the following systems within the State, unless the State 

demonstrates that such interface or integration would not be practicable 

because of systems limitations or cost constraints:

    (i) Systems operated under title IV-A,

    (ii) National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems (NCANDS),

    (iii) Systems operated under title XIX, and

    (iv) Systems operated under title IV-D;

    (3) Support the provisions of section 422(a) by providing for the 

automated collection, maintenance, management and reporting of 

information on all children in foster care under the responsibility of 

the State, including statewide data from which the demographic 

characteristics, location, and goals for foster care children can be 

determined;

    (4) Collect and manage information necessary to facilitate the 

delivery of client services, the acceptance and referral of clients, 

client registration, and the evaluation of the need for services, 

including child welfare services under title IV-B Subparts 1 and 2, 

family preservation and family support services, family reunificication 

and permanent placement;

    (5) Collect and manage information necessary to determine 

eligibility for:

    (i) The foster care program,

    (ii) The adoption assistance program, and

    (iii) The independent living program;

    (6) Support necessary case assessment activities;

    (7) Monitor case plan development, payment authorization and 

issuance, review and management, including eligibility determinations 

and redeterminations; and

    (8) Ensure the confidentiality and security of the information and 

the system.

    (c) A system established under paragraph (a) of this section may 

also provide support in meeting the following program functions:

    (1) Resource management, including automated procedures to assist in 

managing service providers, facilities, contracts and recruitment 

activities associated with foster care and adoptive families;

    (2) Tracking and maintenance of legal and court information, and 

preparation of appropriate notifications to relevant parties;

    (3) Administration and management of staff and workloads;

    (4) Licensing verification; and

    (5) Risk analysis.

    (d) The system may also provide for interface with other automated 

information systems, including, but not limited to, accounting and 

licensing systems, court and juvenile justice systems, vital statistics 

and education, as appropriate.

    (e) If the cost benefit analysis submitted as part of the APD 

indicates that adherence to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section would 

not be cost beneficial, final approval of the APD may be withheld until 

resolution is reached on the level of automation appropriate to meet the 

State's needs.

    (f) A Statewide automated child welfare information system may be 

designed, developed and installed on a phased basis, in order to allow 

States to implement AFCARS requirements expeditiously, in accordance 

with section 479(b) of the Act, as long as the approved APD includes the 

State's plan for full implementation of a comprehensive system which 

meets all functional and data requirements as specified in paragraphs 

(a) and (b) of this section, and a system design which



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will support these enhancements on a phased basis.

    (g) The system must perform Quality Assurance functions to provide 

for the review of case files for accuracy, completeness and compliance 

with Federal requirements and State standards.



[58 FR 67945, Dec. 22, 1993, as amended at 60 FR 26839, Mar. 19, 1995]