§ 1357.15 Comprehensive child and family services plan requirements.

(a) Scope. (1) The CFSP provides an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a system of coordinated, integrated, culturally relevant family focused services. This section describes the requirements for the development, implementation and phase-in of the five-year comprehensive child and family services plan (CFSP). The State's CFSP must meet the requirements of both of the following programs. The Indian Tribe's CFSP must meet the requirements of one or both of the following programs depending on the Tribe's eligibility:

(i) Child welfare services under title IV-B, subpart 1; and

(ii) Family preservation and family support services under title IV-B, subpart 2.

(2) For States only, the CFSP also must contain information on the following programs:

(i) The independent living program under title IV-E, section 477 of the Act; and

(ii) The Child Abuse and Neglect State grant program (known as the Basic State Grant) under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C. 5101 et. seq.).

(3) States must meet all requirements of this section except those that apply only to Indian Tribes. Indian Tribes must meet the requirements of this section only as specified.

(4) States and eligible Indian Tribes have the option to phase-in the requirements for a consolidated CFSP. The consolidated CFSP requirements must be in place by June 30, 1997 and meet the requirements of 45 CFR 1357.16.

(b) Eligibility for funds. (1) In order to receive funding under title IV-B, subparts 1 and 2, each State and eligible Indian Tribe must submit and have approved a consolidated, five-year Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) and a CFS-101, Budget Request and Estimated Expenditure Report that meets the requirements under 45 CFR 1357.16.

(2) States and Indian Tribes that are consolidating the requirements for a CFSP in FY 1995, in accordance with § 1357.15(a), must submit the CFSP and a CFS-101 for FY 1995 and 1996 by June 30, 1995.

(3) States and eligible Indian Tribes choosing to phase-in the requirements for a consolidated CFSP in FY 1996 and 1997 must submit the CFSP, the CFS-101 for FY 1995 for subpart 1 and 2, and the CFS-101 for subpart 2 for FY 1996 by June 30, 1995.

(4) The CFSP will be approved only if the plan was developed jointly by ACF and the State (or the Indian Tribe), and only after broad consultation by the State (and the Indian Tribe) with a wide range of appropriate public and non-profit private agencies and community-based organizations with experience in administering programs of services for children and families (including family preservation and support services).

(5) By June 30, 1996, each grantee must submit and have approved the first Annual Progress and Services Report and a CFS 101 for FY 1997 that meets the statutory and regulatory requirements of title IV-B, subparts 1 and 2.

(6) The Annual Progress and Services Report will be approved if it was developed jointly by ACF and the State (or the Indian Tribe) and if it meets the requirements of 45 CFR 1357.16.

(7) The five-year CFSP for FYs 1995-1999 may be submitted in the format of the State's or the Indian Tribe's choice and must be submitted no later than June 30, 1995, to the appropriate ACF Regional Office.

(c) Assurances. The following assurances will remain in effect on an ongoing basis and will need to be re-submitted only if a significant change in the State or the Indian Tribe's program affects an assurance:

(1) The State or Indian Tribe must assure that it will participate in any evaluations the Secretary of HHS may require.

(2) The State or Indian Tribe must assure that it will administer the CFSP in accordance with methods determined by the Secretary to be proper and efficient.

(3) The State or Indian Tribe must assure that it has a plan for the training and use of paid paraprofessional staff, with particular emphasis on the full-time or part-time employment of low-income persons, as community service aides; and a plan for the use of nonpaid or partially paid volunteers in providing services and in assisting any advisory committees established by the State or Tribe.

(4) The State or Indian Tribe must assure that standards and requirements imposed with respect to child care under title XX shall apply with respect to day care services, if provided under the CFSP, except insofar as eligibility for such services is involved.

(d) The child and family services plan (CFSP): general. The State and the Indian Tribe must base the development of the CFSP on a planning process that includes:

(1) broad involvement and consultation with a wide range of appropriate public and non-profit private agencies and community-based organizations, parents, including parents who are involved or have experience with the child welfare system, and others;

(2) coordination of the provision of services under the plan with other Federal and federally assisted programs serving children and families, including youth and adolescents; and