Key Legislation
This section provides resources on key legislation, policy, and funding relevant to child welfare and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment systems.
Highlighted Resource
Laws and Policies
Children’s Bureau, 2024
This webpage provides guidance to states, tribes, child welfare agencies, and more on the complex and varied federal laws as they relate
... (Read More)Policy and Practice Resources
Family First State Plans and Enacted Legislation
National Conference of State Legislatures, 2025
Summarizes states that have enacted legislation to align their child welfare laws with FFPSA. Includes an interactive map that offers
... (Read More)Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Guidance on Adhering to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagno...
Administration for Children and Families, 2025
Designed to help States comply with coverage requirements for eligible children and youth under the age of 21 who are enrolled in
... (Read More)Laws and Policies
Children’s Bureau, 2024
This webpage provides guidance to states, tribes, child welfare agencies, and more on the complex and varied federal laws as they relate
... (Read More)A History of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
U.S. Department of Education, 2024
Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, also known as the EHA, in 1975 to support states and localities in
... (Read More)Fact Sheet 42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2024
42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”) is a federal regulation that protects the confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records. On
... (Read More)Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services A..., 2023
This program provides funds to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana
... (Read More)How Federal Legislation Impacts Child Welfare Service Delivery
Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2022
Provides an overview of the process by which legislative actions and policy changes at the Federal level impact State and Tribal child
... (Read More)How some states use title IV-E foster care funding for family-based facilities that treat substance use dis...
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planni..., 2021
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) permits states to use title IV-E foster care funding for children placed in out-of-home
... (Read More)Planning Title IV-E Prevention Services: A Toolkit for States
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planni..., 2020
Helps states develop a plan for title IV-E prevention services and implement a comprehensive array of services to prevent foster care
... (Read More)Major Federal Legislation Concerned with Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption
Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2019
Provides a summary of federal legislation enacted since 1974 that has shaped the delivery of child welfare services. Includes an
... (Read More)About CAPTA: A Legislative History
Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2019
This factsheet summarizes the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) which is key Federal legislation addressing child abuse
... (Read More)Medicaid Substance Use Disorders Benefits Package
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, n.d.
Offers resources to states seeking to develop and enhance their SUD Medicaid benefits package. Resources include State Health Official
... (Read More)State Statutes Search
Child Welfare Information Gateway, n.d.
Use this search to access the Information Gateway State Statutes Series and statutes from individual States and Territories on issues
... (Read More)Title IV-E Prevention Program
Children’s Bureau, n.d.
FFPSA authorized new optional title IV-E funds covering time-limited prevention services for mental health, substance abuse, in-home
... (Read More)Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse
Administration for Children and Families, n.d.
Conducts an objective and transparent review of research on programs and services intended to provide enhanced support to children and
... (Read More)Additional Resources
Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) Substance Exposed Infants Statutory Summary
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child..., 2017
Covers the history of the CAPTA prenatal exposure provisions, including the July 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act changes.
... (Read More)