In response to the outcry of stakeholders across the country regarding the Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSR) on the lengthy process of assessment, review, reports and program improvement plans, in addition to other concerns, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is asking for public comment through the proposed rule-making process.  A request for public comment was published in the Apr 5 edition of the Federal Register (Vol.76, No. 65). The Children’s Bureau (CB) recognizes that after the second round of reviews, it is time to re-assess the original review process for Title IV-B and IV-E programs through the CFSR and is interested in learning about improvements that might be instituted.
 
Stakeholders including state staff, tribal leaders, judges, families, youth and other interested parties are invited to share their input into the CFSR system.  To that end, the CB requests that stakeholders answer  eight specific questions, keeping in mind how they would envision a federal review process that:  (1) meets the statutory requirements;  (2) holds child welfare agencies accountable for achieving positive outcomes for children and families: and  (3) continuously improves the quality of their systems.   

Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking portal at htpp://www.regulations.gov , email comments to CBComments@acf.hhs.gov or mail delivery to:  Jan Rothstein, Division of Policy, Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20024.