---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 628c"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "628c"
heading: "Grants to States to enhance collaboration between State child welfare and juvenile justice systems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/628c"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services"
  - "Part B — Child and Family Services"
  - "Subpart 1 — stephanie tubbs jones child welfare services program"
---

# §628c. Grants to States to enhance collaboration between State child welfare and juvenile justice systems

- (a) **Purpose—** The purpose of this section is to authorize the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), in collaboration with the Attorney General and the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice—
  - (1) to make [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) to [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare and juvenile justice [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c)- and [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11)-serving [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) to collaborate in the collection of data relating to dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11); and
  - (2) to develop [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), policies, and protocols—
    - (A) to confront the challenges presented and experienced by dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11); and
    - (B) for the development of interoperable data systems.
- (b) **Authority to award grants—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, from amounts reserved under [section 623(a)(2) of this title](/usc/42/623.md?p=a-2) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall award competitive [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) jointly to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) to facilitate or enhance collaboration between the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare and juvenile justice systems of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) in order to carry out programs to address the needs of dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) and their families.
  - (2) **Length of grants—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#b-2-B), a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) shall be awarded under this section for a period of not less than 2 [fiscal years](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) and not more than 5 [fiscal years](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
    - (B) **Extension of grant—** Upon the application of the grantee, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) may extend the period for which a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) is awarded under this section for not more than 2 [fiscal years](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
- (c) **Additional requirements—**
  - (1) **Application—** In order for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) to be eligible for a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) under this section, the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) shall submit an application, subject to the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), that [includes](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b)—
    - (A) a description of the proposed leadership collaboration group ([including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) the membership of such group), and how such group will manage and oversee a review and analysis of current [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) while working to jointly address enhanced [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) to improve outcomes for dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
    - (B) a description of how the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) proposes—
      - (i) to identify dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
      - (ii) to identify individuals who are at risk of becoming dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
      - (iii) to identify common characteristics shared by dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) in the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5); and
      - (iv) to determine the prevalence of dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) in the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5);
    - (C) a description of current and proposed [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and procedures that the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) intends to use—
      - (i) to screen and assess dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) for risks and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) needs;
      - (ii) to provide targeted and evidence-based services, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) educational, behavioral health, and pro-[social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) [interventions](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=2) for dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) and their families; and
      - (iii) to provide for a lawful process to enhance or ensure the abilities of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and any relevant [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) to share information and data about dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11), while maintaining confidentiality and privacy protections under Federal and [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) law; and
    - (D) a certification that the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) has involved local governments, as appropriate, in the development, expansion, modification, operation, or improvement of proposed policy and practice reforms to address the needs of dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11).
  - (2) **No supplantation of other funds—** Any amounts paid to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) under a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) expenditures on dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) or children involved with either the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare or juvenile justice systems.
  - (3) **Evaluation—** Up to 10 percent of the amount made available to carry out this section for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) shall be made available to the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) to evaluate the effectiveness of the [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) funded under this section, using a methodology that—
    - (A) [includes](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) random assignment whenever feasible, or other research methods that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences when random assignment is not feasible; and
    - (B) [generates](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=8) evidence on the impact of specific [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2), or groups of [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) with identical (or similar) [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and procedures.
  - (4) **Report—** A [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) receiving a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) under this section shall jointly submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), the Attorney General, and the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice, a report on the evaluation of the activities carried out under the [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) at the end of each [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) during the period of the [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10). Such report shall include—
    - (A) a description of the scope and nature of the dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) population in the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) the number of dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
    - (B) a description of the evidence-based [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and procedures used by the [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) to carry out the activities described in clauses [(i)](#c-1-C-i) through [(iii)](#c-1-C-iii) of paragraph (1)(C); and
    - (C) an analysis of the effects of such [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and procedures, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) information regarding—
      - (i) the collection of data related to individual dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
      - (ii) aggregate data related to the dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) population, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b)—
        - (I) characteristics of dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) in the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5);
        - (II) case processing timelines; and
        - (III) information related to case management, the provision of targeted services, and placements within the foster care or juvenile justice system; and
      - (iii) the extent to which such [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and procedures have contributed to—
        - (I) improved educational outcomes for dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
        - (II) fewer delinquency referrals for dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11);
        - (III) shorter stays in intensive restrictive placements for dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11); or
        - (IV) such other outcomes for dual status [youths](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) as the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) may identify.
- (d) **Training and technical assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) may support [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) by offering a program, developed in consultation with organizations and [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) with subject matter expertise, of training and technical assistance to assist such [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) in developing programs and protocols that draw on best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for serving dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) in order to facilitate or enhance—
  - (1) collaboration between [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1); and
  - (2) the effectiveness of such [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) with respect to working with Federal [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare and juvenile justice [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) from other [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5).
- (e) **Report—** Not later than 3 years after January 5, 2023, and every 3 years thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), the Attorney General, and the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice shall jointly submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, a report on the [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) provided under this section.
- (f) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Dual status youth—** The term “dual status [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11)” means a [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) who has come into contact with both the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare and juvenile justice systems and occupies various statuses in terms of the individual’s relationship to such systems.
  - (2) **Leadership collaboration group—** The term “leadership collaboration group” means a group composed of senior officials from the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1), the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1), and other relevant [youth](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-11) and family-serving [public agencies](/usc/42/11851.md?p=8) and private organizations, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b), to the extent practicable, representatives from the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) judiciary branch.
  - (3) **State juvenile justice agency—** The term “[State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) juvenile justice [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1)” means the [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) or [Indian tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) responsible for administering [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) funds awarded under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 ([34 U.S.C. 11101](/usc/34/11101.md) et seq.).
  - (4) **State child welfare agency—** The term “[State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1)” means the [State agency](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-3) responsible for administering the program under this subpart, or, in the case of a [tribal organization](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) that is receiving payments under [section 628 of this title](/usc/42/628.md), the tribal [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) responsible for administering such program.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 429A, as added Pub. L. 117–348, title I, § 101(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6212.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), is Pub. L. 93–415, Sept. 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1109, which is classified principally to chapter 111 (§ 11101 et seq.) of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Pub. L. 93–415, set out as a Short Title of 1974 Act under section 10101 of Title 34, and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 429A of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 429 and is classified to section 628b of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.