Philadelphia County's Title IV-E Claims Based on Contractual Per Diem Rates of $300 or Less for Foster Care Services from October 1997 Through September 2002

摘要

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended, authorizes Federal funds for State foster care programs. For children who meet Title IV-E requirements, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provides the Federal share of States costs, including maintenance (room and board) costs and administrative and training costs. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Public Welfare (the State agency) supervises the Title IV-E program. Philadelphia Countys Department of Human Services (DHS) determines Title IV-E eligibility and contracts with institutional care facilities to provide foster care services and with firms that place children in foster family and group homes. The contracts specify per diem rates negotiated with the respective contractors. DHS submits quarterly summary invoices to the State agency for reimbursement of its foster care maintenance costs and claims administrative costs separately. From October 1997 through September 2002, the State agency claimed $562,280,094 (Federal share) in Title IV-E maintenance and associated administrative costs on behalf of Philadelphia County children for whom the per diem rate was $300 or less. Our objective was to determine, for claims based on per diem rates of $300 or less, whether the State agency claimed Title IV-E maintenance and associated administrative costs for Philadelphia County in accordance with Federal requirements from October 1997 through September 2002.