62 New Data Points to Safeguard Native Kids in Foster Care
Published Date: 3/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is updating the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to include 62 new data points, mostly about protecting Native American children. This means state child welfare agencies will have to report more detailed info, which takes extra time and effort. They’re asking for public feedback by May 29, 2026, to make sure the new reporting rules work smoothly without costing too much.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
State Agencies’ Reporting Burden Increased
Because of the new data elements, the estimated time per response for state Title IV‑E recordkeeping rose from 8,538 hours to 9,036 hours per response. The estimate shows 53 state respondents, 2 responses each, with total state recordkeeping annual hours of 957,813 and an overall estimated total annual burden of 1,250,485 hours.
Tribal Recordkeeping Burden Remains Same
The estimated time per response for tribal Title IV‑E recordkeeping stays at 8,538 hours per response. The estimate shows 17 tribal respondents, 2 responses each, for a total annual tribal recordkeeping burden of 290,292 hours.
62 New AFCARS Data Elements Added
The AFCARS collection was revised to add 62 new data elements, many to capture more detailed information about the Indian Child Welfare Act's procedural protections for Native American children. State and tribal Title IV‑E child welfare agencies must report these additional case-level details about children in foster care and children who are adopted or placed in guardianship.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11530 — Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383 — Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632 — Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-14131 — Designated Placement Requirements Under Titles IV-E and IV-B for LGBTQI+ Children; Rescission
The government is officially canceling a 2024 rule that required special foster care placements for LGBTQI+ kids. This change affects state and tribal agencies that handle foster care, removing a rule that was never put into action due to a court decision. The update takes effect on July 14, 2026, and clears up confusion without changing funding.
2026-13922 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center Evaluation Package
The Office on Trafficking in Persons wants to restart collecting feedback on its National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center programs. This helps improve training and support for people who work to stop trafficking and assist survivors. Comments are open until August 10, 2026, and this update keeps important services running smoothly without extra costs.
2026-13910 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Income Withholding for Support
The government is updating and extending the approval of the Income Withholding for Support form, which helps employers take child support payments directly from a parent's paycheck. These changes make the form clearer and add new details to speed up payments to families. Courts, employers, and others involved in child support will see some updated rules starting after August 31, 2026, with public comments open until August 10.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-06092 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System
The government wants to keep collecting important data on child abuse and neglect for three more years, with no changes to how they do it. This affects states that report on child abuse cases to help protect kids better. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until May 29, 2026, to share them—no extra costs or new rules involved!
Next: 2026-06094 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; NPS Case and Outbreak Investigation Data Collections
The National Park Service wants to update and renew its forms for tracking cases and outbreaks in parks. This affects park staff and anyone involved in health investigations, aiming to make data collection easier and faster. Comments are open until April 29, 2026, with no new costs expected.