The Fiscal Year 2025 Standing Announcement for Tribal Title IV-E Plan Development Grants, offered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACYF/CB), supports tribal organizations in the development of Title IV-E plans for foster care, adoption assistance, and guardianship assistance programs. These grants provide one-time financial assistance to help tribes establish infrastructure and procedures required to implement the federal Title IV-E program, which provides funds for foster care maintenance, adoption, and guardianship support. Recipients must submit a comprehensive Title IV-E plan to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within 24 months from the project start date.

The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to aid eligible tribal governments and organizations in developing the necessary systems, methodologies, and legal frameworks to meet the federal requirements for Title IV-E plan approval. This includes creating data collection and case review systems, establishing cost-allocation methodologies, and adapting tribal court procedures. The funding is designed to cover a range of preparatory costs that directly contribute to satisfying Title IV-E plan criteria as specified under section 471 of the Social Security Act.

The estimated total program funding for FY 2025 is $1,500,000, with individual awards ranging from $150,000 to $300,000. Five awards are expected to be granted, although this may vary based on the number and quality of applications received. Cost-sharing or matching funds are not required, allowing tribes to utilize the grant funding fully to support their Title IV-E planning without the need for additional financial contributions.

Eligibility for this grant is restricted to federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia, as defined under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. These organizations must be able to demonstrate the capacity and commitment to develop comprehensive Title IV-E plans that fulfill federal standards. Applications from individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from consideration.

The application period is anticipated to open on January 31, 2025, with a submission deadline of May 1, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST. Award announcements are expected by August 29, 2025, and projects are projected to start by September 30, 2025. Prospective applicants should prepare to submit all materials electronically and should monitor Grants.gov for the official release of application guidelines, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria.

Evaluation will likely focus on the applicant’s ability to plan and implement Title IV-E requirements within tribal structures and demonstrate how the funding will advance these efforts. Applicants are encouraged to present detailed plans outlining their approach to developing the required data, legal, and administrative systems. For additional information, applicants can contact Carlette Randall at the ACYF, who can provide guidance on eligibility and specific project requirements.