Recent Amendments to Federal Regulation that Improve Access to Legal Representation in Child Welfare and Related Matters

This fact sheet provides a summary of recent amendments to federal regulations, 45 CFR 1356, that will help expand the availability of high quality legal representation for children and families involved in the child welfare system by allowing Title IV-E administrative funds to be used for this purpose. In addition, these funds can now be used for the provision of civil legal services to youth and families involved with the child welfare system as well as legal services that can prevent involvement with the child welfare system.