A couple of opportunities are converging at the federal level that can collectively advance the sharing of data for better child welfare outcomes. First, the recent Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Final Rule provides funding for new child welfare systems that are more modular and focused on the data rather than the system itself.  Several states have already declared their intent to take advantage of the funding and build new systems.  

The Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Final Rule represents the evolution of the earlier Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS). It also represents a bit of a sea change. Moving the focus from monolithic automated information systems to shared data enables myriad ways for Title IV-E agencies to meet their automation needs, and at the same time, provide important data to the Child Welfare community.

On January 22, 2018, Congress reauthorized funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2023. The CHIP provisions are included as the Healthy Kids Act under H.R. 195, Division C.  Division B extends a short-term continuing resolution (CR), which was necessary to reverse a three-day federal government shut-down. Division D affects certain health care related taxes established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The President signed the bill into law on January 22. 

The latest compilation of data from the AFCARS report demonstrates a double digit increase in the number of children within the foster care system over the last 10 years. A critical factor in that increase relates to the current opioid epidemic, which is affecting all states and their child welfare agencies.  Of the 437,465 children in the foster care system during Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016, approximately 68.1% (or 296,643) of the children were placed as a result of drug abuse or neglect...