Case Plan Requirement, Title IV-E of the Social Security Act

The case plan information collection is authorized in sections 422(b)(8)(A)(ii) [42 USC 622] and 471(a)(16) [42 USC 671] of the Social Security Act (the Act) and defined in sections 475(1), 475(5), 475(6) [42 USC 675] and 475A [45 USC 675A] of the Act. Federal regulations implementing the statutory provisions are codified at 45 CFR 1356.21(a), (f) and (g). The statutory and regulatory requirements mandate that title IV-E agencies develop a case plan and case review system for every child in the foster care system under the care and control of their title IV-E agency. To obtain federal funding for foster care, adoption assistance, legal guardianship and certain child welfare services, each title IV-E agency must implement case plan and case review system procedures that periodically assess the appropriateness of a child’s placement in foster care and reevaluate the services provided to assist the child and family. The case review system ensures that each child has a case plan in place that addresses placement in a safe, least restrictive (most family-like) setting available and in close proximity to the parents’ home, consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child until the child can achieve permanency -- either through reunification with his/her family or an alternate option, such as adoption or legal guardianship.

The latest form for Case Plan Requirement, Title IV-E of the Social Security Act expires 2026-09-30 and can be found here.