NOFO: Tribal Title IV-E Plan Development Grants (United States)
Section
A new Notice of Funding Opportunity has been announced to support Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia in developing a Title IV-E plan.
This program is designed to help tribes prepare and submit a plan to the Children’s Bureau for approval, enabling them to implement foster care and adoption assistance programs directly under section 479B of the Social Security Act.
The grant may be used to cover the costs of creating a comprehensive plan that fulfills the requirements of section 471 of the Act. In addition to the mandatory Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs, tribes may also use these funds to meet requirements for optional programs such as Guardianship Assistance, Kinship Navigator, and Prevention services.
Support can extend to building data collection systems, developing cost-allocation methodologies, and strengthening agency and tribal court procedures necessary for meeting case review system requirements for children in foster care. The funding can also be used for any other costs essential to securing approval of a Title IV-E plan.
Tribes awarded funding must submit their completed plan to the Children’s Bureau within twenty-four months. Failure to do so will trigger a statutory requirement to repay the award, ensuring accountability in the use of federal funds. Each tribe is permitted to receive only one Title IV-E plan development grant.
The program has an expected total funding of $600,000, with two awards anticipated. Grants will range between $150,000 and $300,000, supporting a two-year project period within a single budget cycle. Funding remains subject to the availability of federal resources, but the awards are intended to provide full coverage for eligible activities.
Eligibility is limited to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate recognition as a governing body or as a legally established organization sanctioned by a tribe. For collaborations, a primary applicant must be identified to manage the grant. Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible.
This opportunity reflects a significant step in strengthening tribal capacity to manage foster care, adoption, and related services directly, offering both resources and recognition to support long-term child welfare and community resilience.
