Foster Care placement is substitute care and supervision for a child whose parents are unwilling or unable to assure the child's safety and well-being in the child's own home.
The County Children and Youth Agency (CCYA) provides care either by court order giving CCYA legal custody of the child or by a voluntary placement agreement with the child's parents.
The CCYA decides whether the child will be placed with a foster family in another setting. The County Assistance Office (CAO) does not decide who is eligible for placement or where the child is placed.
When the CCYA tells the CAO that a child is in placement, the CAO automatically enrolls the child in the Medical Assistance (MA) program while eligibility is determined. There are several funding sources for children in placement.
The CCYA determines eligibility for Federal reimbursement of placement costs under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Title IV-E Eligibility is based partly on the CAO income determination of whether the family would have been eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) when the child was removed from the home. The CAO will accept the information provided by the CCYA in making this determination. If there is a discrepancy seen by the CAO in the case record or data exchanges, the CAO will notify the CCYA but will not delay the determination based on this, nor will they contact the household to request information.
The CCYA determines what is considered the removal home. Children who are eligible for Title IV-E and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are categorically eligible for MA.
However, the CAO must determine ongoing MA eligibility for children whose placement is funded only with State and local funds (non Title IV-E). See Section 850.5, Medical Assistance for a Child Ineligible for Title IV-E.
Only the CCYA can certify a child’s eligibility for adoption assistance.
Adoption Assistance pays for costs related to the adoption of a child with special needs.
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides Federal Adoption Assistance reimbursement. Children who are not eligible for Title IV-E Adoption Assistance may receive State Adoption Assistance under the State Adoption Opportunities Act.
If a child is determined eligible for Title IV-E or State Adoption Assistance by the CCYA, the CAO automatically enrolls the child in MA when notified by the CCYA via the CY 61A. See Section 850.6, Adoption Assistance.
850.13 Medical Assistance for Children in Subsidized Permanent Legal Custodianship (SPLC) Arrangement
Regarding Subsidized Permanent Legal Custodianship (SPLC), only the CCYA can certify a child’s eligibility for subsidized permanent legal custodianship.
If a child is determined eligible for Title IV-E SPLC subsidy by the CCYA, the CAO will authorize MA.
If a child is eligible for state funded SPLC (non-Title IV-E), the CAO will determine eligibility for MA.
See Section 850.8, Permanent Legal Custodianship (PLC).
The CCYA and the Juvenile Probation Office (JPO) will communicate with and give all necessary information to the CAO using the forms below. See Appendix A for forms and instructions.
CY 60 - CCYA/JPO Request for CAO Action
CY 61 - Application for Initial Determination for Title IV-E Eligibility and Medical Assistance Determination
CY 61A – Determination of Eligibility for Adoption Assistance
CY 61C– Determination of Eligibility for Subsidized Permanent Legal Guardianship (SPLC)
CY 842 - Minor or Non-Minor Dependent Parent/Child Foster Care Information
CY 889 - Request for Medical Assistance Benefits for Juvenile Placed in Juvenile Detention Centers Who Are Not Currently Receiving Medical Assistance
PA 1745.1 - Income Calculation Worksheet for Initial IV-E Eligibility
The CCYA/JPO will gather, verify, and give all necessary information to the CAO, including third party liability. The CCYA/JPO keeps the verification.
The CAO will accept the information from the CCYA/JPO without requiring verification and will not contact the child’s family.
If the family refuses to cooperate with the CCYA, the CCYA may ask the CAO to check family income and resource information in CAO records or in third party sources such as BENDEX, SDX and Department of Labor files.
In order for the CCYA to claim Title IV-E reimbursement for the child’s placement costs, initial IV-E eligibility must be determined based on when the child was removed from the home. The CAO must obtain this information if it is available. The CAO should contact the CCYA/JPO if information is missing or if the CAO information differs. The agencies must work together so children and their families get the appropriate services. The final determination is the responsibility of the CCYA/JPO, and the CAO will not delay a determination of eligibility for MA or AFDC or request information from the household to make the determination unless requested to do so by the CCYA/JPO.
Every CAO employee immediately tells the Executive Director (ED) or Designee when the employee suspects that a child is being abused. “Abuse” means any physical, emotional or sexual harm to or exploitation of a child.
The ED or Designee must call Child Line (800-932-0313) immediately without determining if the report is valid. The ED will tell the employee who reported the abuse when the call is made. A Report of Suspected Child Abuse form (CY 47) will be completed within 48 hours. The CAO sends the written report to the CCYA in the county where the suspected abuse occurred.
Information needed for the report includes:
The name and address of the child
The suspected abuser’s name (if known)
The evidence upon which the belief is based
Revised December 4, 2024, replacing July 8, 2024