HHS is responsible for setting standards and monitoring the nation’s child  welfare programs. CFSA Undertook Actions to Implement Most ASFA Requirements Reviewed and Met Half of the Selected Performance Criteria for Child Safety and Well-Being

CFSA undertook actions to implement six of the nine ASFA requirements  we reviewed and met or exceeded four of the eight performance criteria  included in our study, but as of March 2003, its plans to improve its  performance did not include all ASFA requirements not fully implemented  or selected performance criteria. CFSA Has Established Many Foster Care Policies but Lacks Others, and the Extent of Implementation and Documentation Varies

CSFA has established many foster care policies, but caseworkers did not  consistently implement the six we selected. In addition, CFSA’s automated system  lacked data on four of the six policies we examined for at least 70 percent  of its active foster care cases. CFSA Has Enhanced Its Working Relationship with the D.C. Family Court by Working Collaboratively, but Hindrances Remain

CFSA has enhanced its working relationship with the D.C. Family Court by  working more collaboratively, but several factors have hindered these  relationships. For example, although CFSA caseworkers are  responsible for identifying and arranging services needed for children and  their families, some caseworkers said that some Family Court judges  overruled their service recommendations. CFSA officials and Family Court judges have been working together to  address some of the hindrances that constrain their working relationship. Recommendations

To improve CFSA’s performance and outcomes for foster care children in  the District of Columbia, we recommend that the Mayor require the  Director of CFSA to (1) develop plans to fully implement all ASFA  requirements; (2) establish procedures to ensure that caseworkers  consistently implement foster care policies; and (3) document in FACES  all activities related to active foster care cases, including information from  paper case files related to the history of each active foster care case. Appendix I: Scope and Methodology

To provide a comprehensive assessment of the Child and Family Services  Agency’s (CFSA) performance relative to Adoption and Safe Families Act  of 1997 (ASFA) requirements and selected foster care performance  criteria, we relied on several sources of information and analyses.
Why GAO Did This Study

The District of Columbia (D.C.) Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is responsible for protecting children at risk of abuse and neglect and ensuring that services are provided for them and their families. GAO was asked to discuss the extent to which CFSA has (1) met requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 and other selected performance criteria, (2) adopted and implemented child protection and foster care placement policies, and (3) enhanced its working relationship with the D.C. Family Court. To address these questions, GAO analyzed data from CFSA's child welfare information system, known as FACES; reviewed laws, regulations, and reports; examined case files; and interviewed officials.

What GAO Found

CFSA's performance relative to three sets of measures--nine ASFA requirements, eight selected performance criteria and six of the agency's foster care policies--has been mixed. The agency took actions to implement six of the nine ASFA requirements related to the safety and well-being of foster children and met or exceeded four of the eight selected foster care performance criteria, but its plans did not address all requirements not fully implemented and unmet performance criteria. CSFA has established many foster care policies, but caseworkers did not consistently implement the six GAO examined. In addition, FACES lacked data related to four of the policies reviewed for at least 70 percent of its active foster care cases. CFSA has enhanced its working relationship with the D.C. Family Court, but several factors hindered this relationship. For example, CFSA's top management and Family Court judges talk frequently about foster care case issues. However, differing opinions among CFSA caseworkers and judges about their responsibilities have hindered the relationships. CFSA officials and Family Court judges have been working together to address these hindrances.