US: Finalized Rule Expands Public Agencies Ability to Fund Legal Representation on Behalf of Families Involved in Child Welfare (Press release) (Includes audio)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth & Families – May 10, 2024
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced a new regulation to expand access to legal representation for children who are eligible for title IV-E foster care, their parents, kinship caregivers, Indian custodians and tribe by allowing state and tribal child welfare agencies to use federal funds to provide legal representation. “Children and families in the child welfare system face many scenarios where access to legal services could help to ensure their safety,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This rule will allow child welfare agencies to use federal funds to help cover the costs of providing access to an attorney during civil legal proceedings when doing so would support a child’s needs.”