Support for a National Electronic Interstate Records Exchange System HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CO-0079

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACYF/CB), has issued a forecasted funding opportunity titled "Support for a National Electronic Interstate Records Exchange System." This initiative supports the expansion and implementation of a secure, national electronic case processing system to manage interstate child welfare placements, as governed by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). The ICPC sets standardized legal and administrative processes for the placement of children across states, covering foster care, adoption, and residential placements. Each year, approximately 100,000 children are considered for placements across jurisdictions under this compact. This grant opportunity is rooted in the mandate from the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, which requires all states to connect to an electronic interstate system by October 1, 2027. The proposed electronic records exchange system will serve to onboard ICPC jurisdictions, enable secure and efficient information exchange, and improve outcomes for children awaiting interstate placements. A key goal is to streamline administrative procedures and remove barriers that delay placements, thereby facilitating faster permanency for children who stand to benefit from cross-state care. The system to be supported through this funding must offer multi-tenant capabilities, interoperability with existing human services technologies, and strict adherence to federal security and data standards. Specifically, the system should be compatible with interoperability frameworks such as the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and the National Human Services Interoperability Architecture (NHSIA), ensuring alignment with broader federal strategies for information sharing. It must also comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security protocols. Applicants eligible for this opportunity include a wide range of entities: county, city, and state governments; public and private institutions of higher education; small businesses and other for-profit organizations; Native American tribal governments and organizations; public housing authorities; independent school districts; and both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits. Faith-based and community organizations that meet these criteria are also encouraged to apply. However, applications from individuals and foreign entities will not be considered. The estimated total program funding is $1.6 million, with a single anticipated award ranging between $1.45 million and $1.6 million. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on April 10, 2026. The application package is expected to be posted by January 30, 2026. Awards are projected to be announced by August 31, 2026, with projects starting on September 30, 2026. Interested parties can contact Kara Allen-Eckard at cb@grantreview.org for additional information. Given the complex and technical nature of the proposed system, applicants should prepare to demonstrate both administrative capacity and technical expertise in large-scale, secure systems development. This grant offers a critical opportunity for stakeholders in the child welfare sector to contribute to national efforts to modernize and streamline child placement processes across state lines.