The Supporting America’s Children and Families Act: What It Means for Kentucky

As Kentucky begins its state legislative session, it’s important to recognize the significant federal efforts aimed at improving outcomes for children and families across the nation.

On January 4, 2025, the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R.9076) was signed into law. This legislation reauthorizes critical child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act until the end of fiscal year 2029, providing transformative updates to strengthen families and improve child welfare outcomes. 

Key Highlights of the Federal Legislation

1. Expanded Funding for Child Welfare
   • Increases funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program by $75 million annually, ensuring robust support for states to deliver critical child welfare services.
   • Allocates an additional $10 million annually for Regional Partnership Grants to address parental substance use disorders and child welfare involvement.
   • Provides $5 million annually for evaluating evidence-based services approved by the Family First Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

2. Supporting Kinship and Grandfamilies
   • Provides $10 million per year in consistent funding for Kinship Navigator Programs through competitive grants available to nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies.
   • Clarifies that Title IV-B funds can support kinship families and peer-to-peer support programs.
   • Requires states to include individuals with lived experience—such as kinship caregivers and youth—in shaping child welfare plans.

3. Expanding Prevention and Family Preservation
   • Clarifies in federal law that poverty is not neglect, underscoring the role of family preservation services for families experiencing a crisis related to a lack of resources and ensuring children are not separated from parents solely due to poverty-related neglect. NOTE: Kentucky’s law already includes this.
   • Allows Title IV-B funds to support short-term assistance for housing, transportation, and food to prevent unnecessary family separations.
   • Strengthens the role of Family First Prevention Services to enhance early intervention efforts.

4. Enhancing Court Efficiency and Supporting the Workforce
   • Boosts funding for the Court Improvement Program by $10 million annually, helping courts manage cases involving children nationwide.
   • Adds $6 million annually for child welfare workforce initiatives to improve retention and training.
   • Reduces administrative burdens by requiring HHS to cut paperwork and data reporting for state agencies and caseworkers by at least 15%.

5. Improving Youth Outcomes and Enhancing Oversight
   • Enhances virtual caseworker visits and provides resources to ensure youth aging out of care can transition successfully to independent living.
   • Mandates enhanced data collection and oversight for youth in residential treatment facilities.

What This Means for Kentucky

For Kentucky, the passage of the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act marks a significant advancement in creating a child welfare system that better supports families, caregivers, and children during times of need. Kentucky is expected to benefit significantly from this legislation, though exact funding allocations have not yet been finalized. 

For instance, the state received approximately $4.5 million through the PSSF program in FY 2023, and the $75 million nationwide funding increase could result in additional support. 

These funds will flow primarily through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), which will oversee program distribution and implementation. By addressing key challenges, the Act aims to create meaningful change in Kentucky:

• Families facing crises due to poverty will now have greater access to essential resources such as housing, transportation, and food assistance, reducing unnecessary separations and keeping children with their parents. 
• Kinship caregivers—who play a vital role in the lives of many children in the Commonwealth—will benefit from dedicated funding for navigator programs, offering guidance and support tailored to their unique challenges.
  • Specific grant opportunities for kinship navigator programs under the bill’s provisions are not expected to open until closer to fiscal year 2026, beginning October 1, 2025. Interested organizations should monitor the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) website for updates and review it for information on previous ACF grant requirements.
  • Kentucky currently offers these supports through KY-KINS. 
• The Act also addresses longstanding gaps in services for youth transitioning out of foster care, providing them with enhanced caseworker support and tools to navigate independent adulthood. 
• Child welfare workers across Kentucky will see reduced administrative burdens and increased opportunities for training, enabling them to focus on their critical mission of supporting children and families.

These reforms not only provide immediate relief but also lay the groundwork for long-term improvements in oversight, accountability, and service delivery. Together, they represent a holistic approach to ensuring every child in Kentucky has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

We would like to acknowledge the bipartisan efforts that made this legislation possible. We appreciate the support from Kentucky’s congressional delegation who voted in favor of the bill, as well as the work of former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in ensuring unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate.