Fingerprinting Infrastructure Modernization for Child Welfare

Key Facts

Status: Open

Posted date: July 6, 2026

Opportunity ID: 363073

Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CT-0062

Opportunity category: Discretionary

Agency name: Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB

Agency code: HHS-ACF-CB

Award floor: $50,000

Award ceiling: $200,000

Cost sharing required: No

Funding Instrument Types
  • Grant
Category of Funding Activity
  • Income Security and Social Services
Eligible Applicants
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Others
  • State governments
Tools
Categories (use these for quoted searches)
  • agency_code:hhs_acf_cb
  • category_of_funding_activity:income_security_and_social_services
  • cost_sharing_or_matching_requirement:false
  • eligible_applicants:native_american_tribal_governments_federally_recognized
  • eligible_applicants:others
  • eligible_applicants:state_governments
  • funding_instrument_type:grant
  • opportunity_category:discretionary
  • status:open
Description

This program supports state and tribal child welfare agencies in modernizing fingerprinting and background check infrastructure to accelerate the safe placement of children into family homes. By investing in mobile fingerprinting and office-based Live Scan stations, the initiative addresses critical delays that prevent timely caregiver approval and placement.Funded activities focus on expanding access to fingerprinting services while integrating fingerprint collection into existing child welfare workflows such as home visits and office-based licensing processes. In parallel, the program supports system modernization efforts that reduce or eliminate barriers in background check processing. These improvements are designed to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance with federal requirements, and reduce administrative burden.The expected measurable outcomes include significantly reduced turnaround times for fingerprint-based background checks, increased availability and accessibility of qualified caregivers, and improved capacity for agencies to place children more quickly in safe, stable, and nurturing homes. This program supports the ACF's A Home for Every Child initiative by aligning infrastructure investments with operational needs, advancing broader efforts to strengthen child welfare systems, increasing placement stability, and expanding the pool of approved kinship, foster, and adoptive families.

Fingerprinting Infrastructure Modernization for Child Welfare
This program supports state and tribal child welfare agencies in modernizing fingerprinting and background check infrastructure to accelerate the safe placement of children into family homes. By investing in mobile fingerprinting and office-based Live Scan stations, the initiative addresses critical delays that prevent timely caregiver approval and placement.Funded activities focus on expanding access to fingerprinting services while integrating fingerprint collection into existing child welfare workflows such as home visits and office-based licensing processes. In parallel, the program supports system modernization efforts that reduce or eliminate barriers in background check processing. These improvements are designed to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance with federal requirements, and reduce administrative burden.The expected measurable outcomes include significantly reduced turnaround times for fingerprint-based background checks, increased availability and accessibility of qualified caregivers, and improved capacity for agencies to place children more quickly in safe, stable, and nurturing homes. This program supports the ACF's A Home for Every Child initiative by aligning infrastructure investments with operational needs, advancing broader efforts to strengthen child welfare systems, increasing placement stability, and expanding the pool of approved kinship, foster, and adoptive families.
Fingerprinting Infrastructure Modernization for Child Welfare
Open
Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB
Income Security and Social Services
Grant
State governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Others
2026-07-06