CFS-14-10-00002-E Educational Stability of Foster Children, Transition Planning and Relative Involvement in Foster Care Cases

4/7/10 N.Y. St. Reg. CFS-14-10-00002-E

NEW YORK STATE REGISTER

VOLUME XXXII, ISSUE 14

April 07, 2010

RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES

OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

EMERGENCY RULE MAKING

 

I.D No. CFS-14-10-00002-E

Filing No. 310

Filing Date. Mar. 19, 2010

Effective Date. Mar. 21, 2010

Educational Stability of Foster Children, Transition Planning and Relative Involvement in Foster Care Cases

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following action:

Action taken:

Amendment of sections 421.24, 428.3, 428.5, 430.11 and 430.12 of Title 18 NYCRR.

Statutory authority:

Social Services Law, sections 20(3)(d) and 34(3)(f)

Finding of necessity for emergency rule:

Preservation of public health, public safety and general welfare.

Specific reasons underlying the finding of necessity:

The regulations must be filed on an emergency basis to prevent the loss of federal funding that supports the health, safety and welfare of the children in foster care, children receiving adoption assistance and families receiving child welfare services.

Subject:

Educational stability of foster children, transition planning and relative involvement in foster care cases.

Purpose:

The regulations implement the federal Foster Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351).

Text of emergency rule:

Paragraph (19) of subdivision (c) of section 421.24 is amended to read as follows:

(19) The social services official on an annual [a biennial] basis in a written notification must remind the adoptive parents of their obligation to support the adopted child and to notify the social services official if the adoptive parents are no longer providing any support or are no longer legally responsible for the support of the child. Where the adopted child is school age under the laws of the state in which the child resides, such notification must include a requirement that the adoptive parents must certify that the adopted child is a full-time elementary or secondary student or has completed secondary education. For the purposes of this paragraph, an elementary or secondary school student means an adopted child who is: (i) enrolled, or in the process of enrolling, in a school which provides elementary or secondary education, in accordance with the laws where the school is located; (ii) instructed in elementary or secondary education at home, in accordance with the laws in which the adopted child's home is located; (iii) in an independent study elementary or secondary education program, in accordance with the laws in which the adopted child's education program is located, which is administered by the local school or school district; or (iv) incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to the adopted child's medical condition, which incapacity is supported by annual information submitted by the adoptive parents as part of this certification.

Subparagraphs (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 428.3 are amended and a new subparagraph (v) is added to read as follows:

(iii) educational and/or vocational training reports or evaluations indicating the educational goals and needs of each foster child, including school reports and Committee on Special Education evaluations and/or recommendations; [and]

(iv) if the child has been placed in foster care outside of the state, a report prepared every six months by a caseworker employed by either the authorized agency with case management and/or case planning responsibility for the child, the state in which the placement home or facility is located, or a private agency under contract with either the authorized agency or other state, documenting the caseworker's visit(s) with the child at his or her placement home or facility within the six-month period; and

(v) the child's transition plan prepared in accordance with the standards set forth in section 430.12(j) of this Title.

Paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of section 428.5 is amended to read as follow:

(6) description of contacts with educational/vocational personnel on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, contacts made with school personnel in accordance with sections 430.11(c)(1)(i) and 430.12(c)(4) of this Title;

Subparagraph (viii) of paragraph (10) of subdivision (c) of section 428.5 is amended to read as follows:

(viii) any information acquired about an absent or non-respondent parent that is in addition to information recorded pursuant to section 428.4(c)(1) of this Part, [and] the results of an investigation into the location of any relatives, including grandparents of a child subject to article 10 of the Family Court Act or section 384-a of the Social Services Law, and the efforts to identify and provide notification to grandparents and other adult relatives in accordance with the requirements of section 430.11(c)(4) of this Title;

Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 430.11 is amended to read as follows:

(1)(i) Standard. Whenever possible, a child shall be placed in a foster care setting which permits the child to retain contact with the persons, groups and institutions with which the child was involved while living with his or her parents, or to which the child will be discharged. It shall be deemed inappropriate to place a child in a setting which conforms with this standard only if the child's service needs can only be met in another available setting at the same or lesser level of care. The placement of the child into foster care must take into account the appropriateness of the child's existing educational setting and the proximity of such setting to the child's placement location. When is it in the best interests of the foster child to continue to be enrolled in the same school in which the child was enrolled when placed into foster care, the agency with case management, case planning or casework responsibility for the foster child must coordinate with applicable local school authorities to ensure that the child remains in such school. When it is not in the best interests of the foster child to continue to be enrolled in the same school in which the child was enrolled when placed into foster care, the agency with case management, case planning or casework responsibility for the foster child must coordinate with applicable local school authorities where the foster child is placed in order that the foster child is provided with immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school; and the agency with case management, case planning or casework responsibility for the foster child must coordinate with applicable local school authorities where the foster child previously attended in order that all of the applicable school records of the child are provided to the new school.

Subparagraph (viii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 430.11 is amended, subparagraph (ix) is renumbered as subparagraph (x) and a new subparagraph (ix) is added to read as follows:

(viii) if the child has been placed in a foster care placement a substantial distance from the home of the parents of the child or in a state different from the state in which the parent's home is located, the uniform case record must contain documentation why such placement is in the best interests of the child; [and]

(ix) show in the uniform case record that efforts were made to keep the child in his or her current school, or where distance was a factor or the educational setting was inappropriate, that efforts were made to seek immediate enrollment in a new school and to arrange for timely transfer of school records; and

(x) if the child has been placed in foster care outside of the state in which the home of the parents of the child is located, the uniform case record must contain a report prepared every six months by a caseworker employed by the authorized agency with case management and/or case planning responsibility over the child, the state in which the home is or facility is located, or a private agency under contract with either the authorized agency or other state documenting the caseworker's visit to the child's placement within the six-month period.

Paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of section 430.11 is added to read as follows:

(4) Within 30 days after the removal of a child from the custody of the child's parent or parents, or earlier where directed by the court, or as required by section 384-a of the Social Services Law, the social services district must exercise due diligence in identifying all of the child's grandparents and other adult relatives, including adult relatives suggested by the child's parent or parents and, with the exception of grandparents and/or other identified relatives with a history of family or domestic violence. The social services district must provide the child's grandparents and other identified relatives with notification that the child has been or is being removed from the child's parents and which explains the options under which the grandparents or other relatives may provide care of the child, either through foster care or direct legal custody or guardianship, and any options that may be lost by the failure to respond to such notification in a timely manner. The identification and notification efforts made in accordance with the paragraph must be recorded in the child's uniform case record as required by section 428.5(c)(10)(viii) of this Title.

Paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of section 430.12 is amended and renumbered paragraph (5) and a new paragraph (4) is added to read as follows:

(4) Education. (i) Standard. The social services district with care and custody or guardianship and custody of a foster child who has attained the minimum age for compulsory education under the Education Law is responsible for assuring that the foster child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student or has completed secondary education. For the purpose of this paragraph, an elementary or secondary school student means a child who is: (a) enrolled, or in the process of enrolling, in a school which provides elementary or secondary education, in accordance with the laws where the school is located; (b) instructed in elementary or secondary education at home, in accordance with the laws in which the foster child's home is located; (c) in an independent study elementary or secondary education program, in accordance with the laws in which the foster child's education program is located, which is administered by the local school or school district; or (d) incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to the foster child's medical condition, which incapability is supported by regularly updated information in the child's uniform case record.

(ii) Documentation. The progress notes for each school age child in foster care must reflect either the education program in which the foster child is presently enrolled or is enrolling; or the date the foster child completed his or her compulsory education; or where the child is not capable of attending school on a full-time basis, what the medical condition is and why such condition prevents full-time attendance. The social services district must update the progress notes on an annual basis to reflect why such medical condition continues to prevent the foster child's full-time attendance in an education program. On an annual basis, by the first day of each October, the education module in CONNECTIONS must be updated with education information about each school age foster child in the form and manner as required by the Office.

(5) [(4] Discharge planning. (i) Standard. For any child age 18 or under who is discharged from foster care, the district [shall] must consider the need to provide preventive services to the child and his or her family subsequent to [his] the child's discharge.

(ii) Documentation. The uniform case record form to be completed upon discharge of the child [shall] must show either the recommended type of preventive services and the district's attempts to provide or arrange for these services, or the reasons why these services are deemed unnecessary.

Subdivision (j) of section 430.12 is added to read as follows:

(j) Transition plan Whenever a child will remain in foster care on or after the child's eighteenth birthday, the agency with case management, case planning or casework responsibility for the foster child must begin developing a transition plan with the child 180 days prior to the child's eighteenth birthday or 180 days prior to the child's scheduled discharge date where the child is consenting to remain in foster care after the child's eighteenth birthday. The transition plan must be completed 90 days prior to the scheduled discharge. Such plan must be personalized at the direction of the child. The transition plan must include specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services. The transition plan must be as detailed as the foster child may elect.

This notice is intended

to serve only as a notice of emergency adoption. This agency intends to adopt this emergency rule as a permanent rule and will publish a notice of proposed rule making in the State Register at some future date. The emergency rule will expire June 16, 2010.

Text of rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:

Public Information Office, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, 52 Washington Street, Rensselaer, New York 12144, [phone]

Regulatory Impact Statement

1. Statutory authority

Section 20(3)(d) of the Social Services Law (SSL) authorizes the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to establish rules and regulations to carry out its duties pursuant to the provisions of the SSL.

Section 34(3) (f) of the SSL requires the Commissioner of OCFS to promulgate regulations for the administration of public assistance and care within the state.

2. Legislative objectives

The regulations implement standards required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351) that went into effect on October 7, 2008.

3. Needs and benefits

The regulations will reduce disruption experienced by a child when removed from he child's home and placed into foster care and will enhance continuity in the child's environment.

Regarding the relationship of the child with his or her relatives, the regulations require that within 30 days of the removal of a foster child from his or her home, the social services district must exercise due diligence in identifying and notifying relatives of the child, including all grandparents and other relatives identified by the child's parents, that the child was removed, the options available to relatives to become the child's foster parent or to otherwise care for the child and any options that may be lost by the failure of the relative to respond to such notification in a timely manner. The regulations take into consideration the safety of the child by excluding the need to notify any relative who has a history of family or domestic violence.

The regulations address the need to minimize disruption by requiring the social services district to assess the proximity of the foster care placement to the school the child attended before placement into foster care and the appropriateness of the child remaining in that school upon entry into foster care. Where it is not in the best interests of the child to attend such school, the regulations require the social services district to work with the appropriate local school officials to see that the child is immediately enrolled in a new school.

The regulations also support the preparation of the foster child to transition out of foster care. One of the fundamental needs of any child is his or her education. The regulations clarify that each foster child of school age must either be enrolled in an appropriate educational setting, unless the child is incapable of attending school, or has completed his or her secondary education. The regulations impose a similar requirement in regard to a child who is in receipt of an adoption subsidy and is of school age.

The regulations support the transition of older foster children out of foster care by requiring the authorized agency with case management responsibility to develop a transition plan for a foster child who is aging out of foster care. This plan must be developed to meet the needs of the particular foster child, with such child's input. Development of the transition plan must commence 180 days prior to the scheduled discharge date of the foster child, with the completion of the plan 90 days prior to the scheduled discharge. Such plan must address such basic post discharge issues as housing, health insurance, education, supports services and employment.

4. Costs

The regulatory amendments are required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008. There is no fiscal impact associated with implementing the regulations because current OCFS regulations require social services districts to carry out similar functions as those prescribed in these regulations. With the exception of the regulatory amendment associated with the transition plan, the regulatory changes are federally mandated under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Currently, New York must demonstrate that it has implemented these requirements in order to have a compliant Title IV-E State Plan. This is a condition for continuing to receive federal funds for foster care, adoption assistance and the administration of these programs.

The regulatory change regarding the transition plan for children who are aging out of foster care is a federal mandate under Tile IV-B, Subpart 1 of the Social Security Act. In order to have a compliant Title IV-B State Plan and to continue to receive federal Child Welfare Services funding, New York State must demonstrate that it has implemented such standard.

There is no fiscal impact associated with the regulatory amendment to 18 NYCRR 421.19(c)(19). Currently, the New York City Administration for Children's Services notifies adoptive parents to verify that they are continuing to sup-port their adoptive children and continue to be legally responsible for the support of their adoptive children. Acceptable documentation includes proof of school attendance. Documentation provided by the adoptive parent can be maintained in the social services district in the adoption subsidy case file. The regulatory amendments do not require any modification to CONNECTIONS. The requirements associated with documenting information in the child's uniform case record progress notes can be supported by CONNECTIONS.

5. Local government mandates

The regulations require social services districts to carry out functions similar to those they already have been obligated by State statute and OCFS regulations to perform. Current OCFS regulation 18 NYCRR 430.11(c) requires the social services district placing a child into foster care, whenever possible, to place the child in a foster care setting that permits the child to retain contact with the persons, groups and institutions with which the child was involved while living with his or her parents. OCFS regulation 18 NYCRR 430.10(b) currently requires the social services district that is contemplating the placement of a child into foster care to attempt, prior to placement, to locate adequate alternative living arrangements with a relative or family friend which would enable the child to avoid placement into foster care. Section 1017 of the Family Court Act and section 384-a of the SSL currently provide that when a child is to be removed from his or her home, the social services district must identify and discuss with such relative, including grandparents, available options to function as the child's foster parent or to assume direct legal custody of the child. The social services district must also notify the relative that the child may be adopted by foster parents if attempts at reunification with the birth parent are not required or are unsuccessful.

Social services districts are obligated pursuant to section 409-e of the SSL and OCFS regulations 18 NYCRR Part 428 and 430.12 to develop for each foster child a family assessment and service plan that addresses the needs of the child, including those related to education and the preparation of the child for discharge from foster care. These standards also presently require that foster children over the age of 10 be invited to participate in such planning.

6. Paperwork

The regulations require the recording of the actions taken by the social services district or voluntary authorized agency with case management responsibility in meeting the standards referenced above. Such documentation will be recorded in New York State's statewide automated child welfare information system, CONNECTIONS.

7. Duplication

The regulations do not duplicate other state or federal requirements. The regulations build on related existing requirements.

8. Alternative approaches

Given the mandates imposed by the federal Foster Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351) and the adverse financial consequences for non- compliance, there is no viable alternative to implementing the regulations.

9. Federal standards

Each of the regulatory amendments reflects requirements imposed by the federal Foster Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. The regulatory changes relating to relatives and education are federally mandated under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. New York State must demonstrate that it has implemented such standards in order to have a compliant Title IV-E State Plan which is a condition for New York to continue to receive federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance. The regulatory change relating to the transition plan for aging out foster children is federally mandated under Title IV-B, Subpart 1 of the Social Security Act. New York must demonstrate that is has implemented such standard in order to have a compliant Title IV-B State Plan which is a condition for New York to continue to receive federal child welfare services funding.

10. Compliance schedule

Compliance with the regulations would take effect upon adoption.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

1. Effect on Small Businesses and Local Governments

Social service districts, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and voluntary authorized agencies that have contracts with social service districts to provide foster care, will be affected by the regulations. There are 58 social service districts and approximately 160 voluntary authorized agencies.

2. Compliance Requirements

The regulations implement standards required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L 110-351) that went into effect on October 7, 2008. Implementation of the regulations is necessary for the State of New York to maintain compliant Title IV-B and Title IV-E State Plans which are required for New York to continue to receive federal funding under Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for foster care, adoption assistance, child welfare services and the administration of those programs.

The regulations require that within 30 days of the removal of a foster child from his or her home, the social services district must exercise due diligence in identifying and notifying relatives of the child, including all grandparents and other relatives identified by the child's parents, that the child was removed, the options available to the relatives to become the child's foster parent or to otherwise care for the child and any option that may be lost by the failure of the relatives to respond to such notification in a timely manner. Notification must be made earlier than 30 days of removal if directed by the court. Notification is not required in regard to relatives who have a history of family or domestic violence.

The regulations require the authorized agency with case management responsibility to develop a transition plan for a foster child who is aging out of foster care. Such plan must be personalized to the particular foster child and developed with the involvement of such child. Development of the transition plan must commence 180 days prior to the scheduled discharge date of the foster child, with the completion of the plan 90 days prior to the scheduled discharge. The transition plan must address housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities or mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services.

The regulations set forth standards social services districts must satisfy in relation to the educational stability of children when they are removed from their homes and placed into foster care. The regulations address the need to assess the proximity of foster care placements to the school the child attended at the time of removal and the appropriateness of the child remaining in that same school after entering foster care. Where the foster child can not remain in the same school, the agency with case management responsibility must coordinate with local school officials in order that the foster child will be provided with immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school.

The regulations require that foster children of school age must either be enrolled in an appropriate educational setting, unless incapable of attending school or have completed secondary education. The regulations impose a similar requirement post discharge from foster care for a child who is school age and is in receipt of an adoption subsidy.

3. Professional Services

It is anticipated that the requirements imposed by the regulations will be implemented by existing case work staff.

4. Compliance Costs

The regulatory amendments are required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. There is no fiscal impact associated with implementing the regulations because current OCFS regulations require social services districts to carry out similar functions as those prescribed in these regulations. With the exception of the regulatory amendment associated with the transition plan, the regulatory changes are federally mandated under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Currently, New York must demonstrate that it has implemented these requirements in order to have a compliant Title IV-E State Plan. This is a condition for continuing to receive federal funds for foster care, adoption assistance and the administration of these programs.

The regulatory change regarding the transition plan for children who are aging out of foster care is a federal mandate under Title IV-B, Subpart 1 of the Social Security Act. In order to have a compliant Title IV-B State Plan and to continue to receive federal Child Welfare Services funding, New York State must demonstrate that it has implemented such standard.

There is no fiscal impact with the regulatory amendment to 18 NYCRR 421.24(c)(19). Currently, the New York City Administration for Children's Services notifies adoptive parents to verify that they are continuing to support their adopted children and continue to be legally responsible for the support of their adoptive children. Acceptable documentation includes proof of school attendance. Documentation provided by the adoptive parent can be maintained by the social services district in the adoption subsidy case file. The regulatory amendments do not require any modification to CONNECTIONS. The requirements associated with documenting information in the child's uniform case record progress notes can be supported by CONNECTIONS.

5. Economic and Technological Feasibility

The regulations require the recording of the actions taken to comply with the regulatory standards noted above. Such information will be recorded in New York State's statewide automated child welfare information system, CONNECTIONS.

6. Minimizing Adverse Impact

The standards set forth in the regulations reflect mandates imposed on the states by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. Implementation is necessary for New York to continue to be eligible to receive federal funding for foster care, adoption assistance child welfare services and the administration thereof, as required by Title IV-B and title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The regulations do not go beyond the scope of the federal mandates.

7. Small Business and Local Government Participation

By letter dated, December 5, 2008, OCFS informed the commissioner of each of the local department of social services in the State of New York of the amendments to OCFS regulations that are necessitated by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. The letter included a brief summary of the new regulatory requirements. In addition, it informed local commissioners of the requirements enacted by the federal legislation that are already in effect in New York and that will not require any further regulatory amendments. OCFS advised the local commissioners that OCFS will provide any clarification received from the federal Department of Health and Human Services on these requirements. A copy of the OCFS regulations was provided along with a contact person if the local commissioners or their staff had any questions.

Rural Area Flexibility Analysis

1. Types and estimated number of rural areas

Social services districts, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and voluntary authorized agencies that have contracts with social services districts to provide foster care will be affected by the regulations. There are 44 social services districts and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe that are in rural areas. Currently, there are also approximately 100 voluntary authorized agencies in rural areas of New York State.

2. Reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements; and professional services

The regulations implement standards required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351) that went into effect on October 7, 2008. Implementation of the regulations is necessary for the State of New York to maintain compliant Title IV-B and Title IV-E State Plans which are required for New York to continue to receive federal funding under Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for foster care, adoption assistance, child welfare services and the administration of those programs.

The regulations require that within 30 days of the removal of a foster child from his or her home, the social services district must exercise due diligence in identifying and notifying relatives of the child, including all grandparents and other relatives identified by the child's parents, that the child was removed, the option available to the relative to become the child's foster parent or to otherwise care for the child and any options that may be lost by the failure of the relative to respond to such notification in a timely manner. Notification must be made earlier than 30 days of removal if directed by the court. Notification is not required in regard to relatives with a history of family or domestic violence.

The regulations require the authorized agency with case management responsibility to develop a transition plan for a foster child who is aging out of foster care. Such plan must be personalized to the particular foster child and developed with the involvement of such child. Development of the transition plan must commence 180 days prior to the scheduled discharge date of the foster child, with the completion of the plan 90 days prior to the scheduled discharge. The transition plan must address housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services and wok force supports and employment services.

The regulations set forth standards social services districts must satisfy in relation to the educational stability of children when they are removed from their homes and placed into foster care. The regulations address the need to assess the proximity of foster care placements to the school the child attended at the time of removal and the appropriateness of the child remaining in that school after entering foster care. Where the foster child can not remain in the same school, the agency with case management responsibility must coordinate with local school officials in order that the foster child be provided with immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school.

The regulations require that foster children of school age must either be enrolled in an appropriate educational setting, unless incapable of attending school, or have completed secondary education. The proposed regulations would impose a similar requirement post discharge from foster care in regard to a school age child who is in receipt of an adoption subsidy.

3. Costs

Each of the regulatory amendments is required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. There is no fiscal impact associated with implementing the regulations because current OCFS regulations require social services districts to carry out similar functions as those prescribed in these amendments. With the exception of the regulatory amendment associated with the transition plan, the regulatory changes are federally mandated under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Currently, New York must demonstrate that is has implemented these requirements in order to have a compliant Title IV-E State Plan. This is a condition for continuing to receive federal funds for foster care, adoption assistance and the administration of these programs.

The regulatory change regarding the transition plan for children who are aging out of foster care is a federal mandate under Title IV-B, Subpart 1 of the Social Security Act. In order to have a compliant Title IV-B State Plan, and to continue to receive federal Child Welfare Services funding, New York State must demonstrate that it has implemented such standard.

There is no fiscal impact associated with the regulatory amendment to 18 NYCRR 421.24(c)(19). Currently, the New York City Administration for Children's Services notifies adoptive parents to verify that they are continuing to support their adoptive children and continue to be legally responsible for the support of their adoptive children. Acceptable documentation includes proof of school attendance. Documentation provided by the adoptive parent can be maintained by the social services district in the adoption subsidy case file. The regulatory amendments do not require any modification to CONNECTIONS. The requirements associated with documenting information in the child's uniform case record progress notes can be supported in CONNECTIONS.

4. Minimizing adverse impact

The regulations require the recording of the actions taken to comply with the regulatory standards noted above. Such information will be recorded in New York State's statewide automated child welfare information system, CONNECTIONS.

5. Rural area participation

By letter dated, December 5, 2008, OCFS informed the commissioner of each local department of social services in the State of New York of the amendments to OCFS regulations necessitated by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. The letter included a brief summary of the new regulatory requirements. In addition, it informed local commissioners of the requirements enacted by the federal legislation that are already in effect in New York and that will not require any further regulatory amendments. OCFS advised the local commissioners that OCFS will provide any clarification received from the federal Department of Health and Human Services on these requirements. A copy of the regulations was provided along with a contact person if the local commissioners or their staff had any questions.

Job Impact Statement

A full job impact statement has not been prepared for the regulations. The amendments will not result in the loss or creation of any jobs.