Overview
Section 438 of the Social Security authorizes CIP funding through three grants that the highest state court of each state may apply for:
- Basic Grant. The basic grant enables state courts to conduct assessments of the role, responsibilities and effectiveness of state courts in carrying out state laws guiding child welfare proceedings. It allows state courts to make improvements to provide for the safety, well-being, and permanence of children in foster care and engagement of families in child welfare cases. It also allows the courts to improve collaboration including in the implementation of Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) as a result of the Child and Family Services and title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews.
- Data Grant. The data grant supports data collection and analysis and promotes data sharing between state courts, child welfare agencies and tribes.
- Training Grant. The training grant is intended to increase child welfare expertise within the legal community and facilitate cross-training opportunities among agencies, tribes, courts and other key stakeholders.
The Children’s Bureau continually updates its What’s New in Laws & Policies page with information relevant to the IV-B programs.
Match Requirements
A non-federal share is required for each CIP grant at the rate of 25 percent of the total budget. For example, a project totaling $100,000 would require a state court contribution of $25,000 to receive federal funds totaling $75,000. There is no match requirement for the Tribal Court Improvement Program.
Potential Uses
CIP funds are expressly for courts to improve child welfare proceedings.
CFDA
93.586
Administering Federal Agency
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Children’s Bureau (CB)
Find Your State/Local Administrator
The highest state court of appeal applies to the CB for these funds. Consider contacting the Regional Liaison for the Capacity Building Center for the Courts to find your CIP.
Amount of Available Funding
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 signed into law December 27, 2020 reserved $10 million from the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program for the Court Improvement Project, with $500,000 reserved for Tribal court improvements. These funds can be used for technology investments, trainings to facilitate remote hearings, and other court programs to help families avoid delays in legal proceedings as a result of COVID-19.
More Information
To find examples of courts and/or their justice partners receiving these funds, click on the PDF.
Formula Grants
AmeriCorps State and National Grants
AmeriCorps provides grants to a broad range of local and national organizations and agencies committed to using service to address compelling community issues.
AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA program is guided by four core principles: anti-poverty, community engagement, capacity building, and sustainable solutions.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
JAG funds awarded to a state or local may be used to support a range of program areas, including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education…
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
The American Rescue Plan Act built upon the ERAP, is set to reduce evictions by providing an additional $21.6 B in emergency rental assistance for low-income renters who have lost income…
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program
The Emergency Solutions Grants Program focuses on assisting people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.
Family Violence Prevention and Services Formula Grants (FVPSA)
The Family Violence Prevention and Services formula grants to states and territories fund more than 1,600 local public, private, nonprofit and faith-based organizations and programs demonstrating…
Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
The HAF is for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financing hardship due to…
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF)
FRF is the largest and most flexible source of American Rescue Plan Act funds to help states, counties, cities and Tribal governments cover increased expenditures, replenish lost revenue…
STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant
STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grants are awarded to states to develop and strengthen the criminal justice system’s response…
Title IV-B – State Court Improvement Program (CIP)
The State Court Improvement Program is for children and families who need assistance in order to keep their families together.
Title IV-D – Child Support and Establishment of Paternity
The child support program serves over 17 million children, and provides information to pro se parents helping ensure that parents understand the child support process, know what to expect…
Title IV-E – Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
The Federal Foster Care Program helps to provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children until the children are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families…
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grants
VOCA provides funding to groups and direct services for victims, such as domestic violence shelters, legal support, faith-based organizations, and child abuse organizations.
