The Family First Prevention Services Act enacted as part of Public Law (PL) 115 -123, amended Title IV-E to allow title IV-E agencies the option to receive funding for evidence-based kinship navigator programs that meet certain criteria.  Kinship navigator programs help relative and kin caregivers learn about and access programs and services to meet their own needs and the needs of the children they are raising.

Kinship Navigator Programs must meet the requirements described in section 427(a)(1) of the Social Security Act, as follows:

Title IV-E agencies approved to operate the program may claim 50 percent Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for allowable kinship navigator programs.  Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program requires use of program models that have been reviewed and rated by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

as meeting promising, supported, or well-supported practice standards.

To apply to participate in the program, title IV-E agencies must submit an attachment to their title IV-E plan, following guidance provided in Program Instruction ACYF-CB-PI-18-11.

As of August 2025, there are 12 title IV-E agencies approved to operate an evidence-based kinship navigator program: Colorado, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington.  (Delaware’s plan is being reviewed).

Title IV-E Agency

Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program Implemented

Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.