This brief synthesizes national caseload and expenditure data related to Title IV-E foster care eligibility and summarizes the Children’s Bureau’s published Title IV-E foster care eligibility review findings. Key findings include:
Division of Children and Youth Policy
The Division of Children and Youth Policy focuses on policies related to the well-being of children and youth. Projects range from quick-turnaround policy analyses to large-scale experimental studies, and major policy initiatives. Key areas include early childhood, early care and education, home visiting, youth development and risky behaviors, parenting and family support, child welfare and foster care, linkages with physical and mental health, methods for evaluating what works, and strategies for improving research and data in these areas.
Reports
Displaying 1 - 10 of 20. 10 per page. Page 1.
Advanced SearchASPE Issue Brief
Over the Past 10 Years, Head Start Administrative Spending Remained Relatively Steady and Always Below the 15 Percent Statutory Ceiling
This brief describes the share of spending on administrative expenses in Head Start. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
From FY16 to FY25, Fewer Head Start Families Received Comprehensive Services and the Percentage of Families Receiving Services Also Declined for Many Categories
This brief examines how Head Start’s comprehensive service delivery changed between the 2015-2016 (FY16) and 2024-2025 (FY25) program years, focused on volume (total number) and rate (percent) of children and families who received comprehensive services. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
HHS' Historical Approach to Head Start Regulation Following the 2007 Statutory Reauthorization has Increased Costs and Reduced Access, without Substantial Quality Gains
This brief describes HHS' historical approach to Head Start regulation following the 2007 statutory reauthorization. Key findings include:
Case Study
How Texas Achieves Strong Program Integrity in CCDF: Practical Considerations for State CCDF Lead Agencies
To facilitate cross-state learning, the Office of Child Care (OCC), in partnership with the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), is launching a snapshot series to highlight promising state practices.
Research Brief
Title IV-E Foster Care Program and Administration National Average Effective Federal Match Rates are Less than Half Statutory Match Rates
KEY POINTS:
Research Brief
The Statute Provides More Flexibility for Review than Allowed by the Current Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Handbook of Standards and Procedures
KEY POINTS
Research Brief
The CAPTA State Grant Program Represents Less Than One Percent of Child Welfare Spending but Places Many Requirements on States to Drive System Design
KEY POINTS
ASPE Data Point
Increases in Head Start Change in Scope Requests from FY21 to FY24 Have Resulted in the Largest Reduction of Funded Slots in the History of Head Start
KEY POINTS
Research Brief
The Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP): Use of Guardianship is Growing, but Lags Adoption Assistance and is Unevenly Used Across States
The Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP): Use of Guardianship is Growing, but Lags Adoption Assistance and is Unevenly Used Across States May 2026 Administration for Children and Families & Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation