Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems

These final rules implement section 13713 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-66). Under section 13713, funding is made available for the planning, design, development and installation of statewide automated child welfare information systems. Such systems must be comprehensive in that they must meet the requirements for an Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting [[Page 26830]] System (AFCARS) required by section 479(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and implementing regulations; to the extent practicable, be capable of interfacing with State child abuse and neglect automated systems; to the extent practicable, be capable of interfacing with, and retrieving information from the State automated system for determining eligibility for title IV-A assistance; and, be determined by the Secretary to be likely to provide more efficient, economical, and effective administration of the programs carried out under State plans approved under title IV-B or IV-E of the Act. Enhanced Federal funding at the 75 percent matching rate is provided for such activities as well as for the cost of hardware components effective October 1, 1993. This funding rate is eliminated under the statute after September 30, 1996, at which time a Federal matching rate of 50 percent is available. Also effective October 1, 1993, Federal financial participation at the 50 percent matching rate is available for the operation of such systems.