42 USC 629a - Definitions

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 18, 2024

§ 629a.

Definitions

(a)

In general

As used in this subpart:

(1)

Family preservation services

The term “family preservation services” means services for children and families designed to help families (including adoptive and extended families) at risk or in crisis, including—

(A)

service programs designed to help children—

(i)

where safe and appropriate, return to families from which they have been removed; or

(ii)

be placed for adoption, with a legal guardian, or, if adoption or legal guardianship is determined not to be safe and appropriate for a child, in some other planned, permanent living arrangement;

(B)

preplacement preventive services programs, such as intensive family preservation programs, designed to help children at risk of foster care placement remain safely with their families;

(C)

service programs designed to provide followup care to families to whom a child has been returned after a foster care placement;

(D)

respite care of children to provide temporary relief for parents and other caregivers (including foster parents);

(E)

services designed to improve parenting skills (by reinforcing parents’ confidence in their strengths, and helping them to identify where improvement is needed and to obtain assistance in improving those skills) with respect to matters such as child development, family budgeting, coping with stress, health, and nutrition; and

(F)

infant safe haven programs to provide a way for a parent to safely relinquish a newborn infant at a safe haven designated pursuant to a State law.

(2)

Family support services

(A)

In general

(B)

Purposes described

The purposes described in this subparagraph are the following:

(i)

To promote the safety and well-being of children and families.

(ii)

To increase the strength and stability of families (including adoptive, foster, and extended families).

(iii)

To support and retain foster families so they can provide quality family-based settings for children in foster care.

(iv)

To increase parents’ confidence and competence in their parenting abilities.

(v)

To afford children a safe, stable, and supportive family environment.

(vi)

To strengthen parental relationships and promote healthy marriages.

(vii)

To enhance child development, including through mentoring (as defined in section 629i(b)(2) of this title).

(3)

State agency

(4)

State

(5)

Indian tribe

(6)

Tribal organization

(7)

Family reunification services

(A)

In general

(B)

Services and activities described

The services and activities described in this subparagraph are the following:

(i)

Individual, group, and family counseling.

(ii)

Inpatient, residential, or outpatient substance abuse treatment services.

(iii)

Mental health services.

(iv)

Assistance to address domestic violence.

(v)

Services designed to provide temporary child care and therapeutic services for families, including crisis nurseries.

(vi)

Peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups for parents and primary caregivers.

(vii)

Services and activities designed to facilitate access to and visitation of children by parents and siblings.

(viii)

Transportation to or from any of the services and activities described in this subparagraph.

(8)

Adoption promotion and support services

(9)

Non-Federal funds

(b)

Other terms

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 431, as added Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13711(a)(2), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 650; amended Pub. L. 105–89, title III, § 305(b)(2), (c)(2), (d)(1), Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2131, 2132; Pub. L. 106–169, title IV, § 401(e), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1858; Pub. L. 107–133, title I, § 102, Jan. 17, 2002, 115 Stat. 2415; Pub. L. 109–288, § 11(c), Sept. 28, 2006, 120 Stat. 1255; Pub. L. 112–34, title I, § 102(c), (d), Sept. 30, 2011, 125 Stat. 371, 372; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title VII, §§ 50721(a), 50751(a), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 245, 262.)

cite as: 42 USC 629a