Foster Parents Network Analytics Hub (HUB)

The Foster Parents Network Analytics Hub (HUB) is a forecasted federal funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration for Children and Families, specifically the Administration on Children, Youth and Families within the Children’s Bureau. This initiative is aligned with the broader federal effort known as A Home for Every Child, which seeks to improve foster care systems nationwide. The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial federal involvement in the execution and oversight of the funded project. The program is authorized under Section 426 of the Social Security Act and represents a national demonstration effort focused on strengthening foster care infrastructure through data-driven strategies. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a centralized Foster Parents Network Analytics Hub capable of supporting all states in achieving a foster home-to-child ratio exceeding 1:1 by the year 2029. This goal reflects a strategic emphasis on ensuring that every child in foster care has access to an appropriate placement without delays caused by capacity shortages. The HUB will provide advanced analytics tools and intensive technical assistance to states, enabling them to better understand and manage their foster parent networks. The initiative prioritizes measurable outcomes and the application of evidence-based practices to enhance system performance. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support the design, development, and implementation of a secure and accessible analytics platform. This platform must integrate with existing state systems, specifically the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System and Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems. In addition to technological infrastructure, funds will support rapid-response technical assistance to help states analyze foster home dynamics, identify gaps in placement capacity, and develop targeted recruitment and retention strategies. The program also emphasizes improving placement matching processes to ensure better outcomes for children. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad but limited to organizational entities. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, state and local governments, special district governments, and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education. Individuals and foreign entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. This inclusive approach is designed to encourage participation from a wide range of organizations capable of supporting large-scale, data-driven child welfare initiatives at a national level. The application process is expected to be conducted electronically, with submissions required through official federal grant systems by the specified deadline. While detailed application components are not outlined in the forecast, applicants should anticipate standard federal requirements such as technical proposals, budget justifications, and documentation demonstrating organizational capacity. The cooperative agreement structure suggests that selected applicants will work closely with federal program officers throughout the project lifecycle. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that the funding announcement is expected to be posted on May 29, 2026, with applications due by July 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be made by September 29, 2026, with project activities beginning the following day. The project period is expected to span five years, reflecting the long-term nature of the initiative and its emphasis on sustainable system improvements. Only one award is expected, with total program funding set at 2,500,000 dollars. No cost sharing or matching requirement is associated with this opportunity, reducing financial barriers for applicants. Contact information for the program includes a general email address for inquiries. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in improving foster care systems through advanced analytics, technical assistance, and collaborative implementation across states.