NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
April 27, 2011

	PI-11-05

TO:		Directors, County Social Service Boards
		Directors, Human Service Centers
		Division of Juvenile Services
		Tribal Social Services

FROM:	Dean Sturn, Administrator, Foster Care Program

SUBJECT:	Foster Care Application, School Lunch Program Eligibility, Retroactive Foster Care Payments, and Closing Tribal IV-E Foster Care Case

PROGRAMS:	Foster Care Maintenance Payments, Manual Chap. 623-05
		IV-E Foster Care Eligibility, Manual Chap. 447-10 

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized

The following revisions are made to foster care manual chapters 623-05 and 447-10.  The changes are effective immediately.

Application 623-05-15-20
A new application for foster care must be received by the financial county within 30-days of a foster care placement.  In the case of Title IV-E children under the custody of Tribal Social Services, this refers to a foster care paid placement.

School Lunch Program Eligibility 623-05-15-80
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provides categorical eligibility for free meals to foster children.  The school or child care must be notified that the child is a foster child.  Once notified, the school/child care must serve meals to those children free of charge.  Proof that the child is in foster care may be requested.

This categorical eligibility does not apply to informal arrangements that may exist outside of state or court-based systems.

Payment – General Principles 623-05-20-05
Retroactive payments in excess of 90 days are not allowed.

Title IV-E – Role of County Social Service Board 447-10-40-10-05
Tribal Title IV-E foster care cases must be closed in FRAME within 30-days from the date that the financial county has determined that the child is no longer Title IV-E eligible or reimbursable.