Federal Register #2026-13134

Public Comment Request: Expanded AFCARS Data Reporting Requirements for Child Welfare Agencies

This opportunity concerns a request for public comment on revised reporting requirements for the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of the Department of Health and Human Services. - Government Buyer: - Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Administration for Children and Families (ACF) - Products/Services Requested: - Information collection and reporting services for AFCARS - Expanded data reporting: 62 new data elements added to AFCARS - Applies to state and tribal child welfare agencies - Estimated annual reporting burden: 1,250,485 hours (states: 957,813; tribes: 290,292; reporting: 2,380) - Unique/Notable Requirements: - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors involved; this is a regulatory information collection requirement - Data supports policy, program management, budget projections, and government inquiries - Focus is on compliance with new federal data collection standards, not procurement of products or IT systems - No product line items or part numbers are specified, as this is not a product or technology procurement.

Description

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a revision of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) with Office of Management and Budget number 0970-0422, expiring June 30, 2026. Sixty-two data elements have been added to AFCARS as per a December 2024 final rule, increasing the reporting burden for state child welfare agencies. The data collected includes information on children in foster care and those adopted or placed in guardianship with title IVE agency involvement. This data supports policy decisions, program management, and responses to Congressional and Departmental inquiries.

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