---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 629i"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "629i"
heading: "State partnership planning and demonstration grants to support meaningful relationships between foster children and the incarcerated parents of the children"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/629i"
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 2 — promoting safe and stable families"
---

# §629i. State partnership planning and demonstration grants to support meaningful relationships between foster children and the incarcerated parents of the children

- (a) **Authority—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) may make demonstration [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) to [eligible State partnerships](#b-1) to develop, implement, and provide support for programs that enable and sustain meaningful relationships between covered foster children and the incarcerated parents of the children.
  - (2) **Payment of annual installments—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall pay each demonstration [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) in 5 annual installments.
  - (3) **1-year planning grants—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) may make a planning [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) to a recipient of a demonstration [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10), to be paid to the recipient 1 year before payment of the 1st annual installment of the demonstration [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) and in an amount not greater than any installment of the demonstration [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10), if—
    - (A) the recipient [includes](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) a request for a planning [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) in the application under [subsection (c)](#c); and
    - (B) the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) determines that a planning [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) would assist the recipient and improve the effectiveness of the demonstration [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10).
- (b) **Eligible State partnership defined—**
  - (1) **In general—** In this section, the term “eligible State partnership” means an agreement entered into by, at a minimum, the following:
    - (A) The [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) responsible for the [administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10) of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plans under this part.
    - (B) The [State agency](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-3) responsible for [adult](/usc/42/619.md?p=1) corrections.
  - (2) **Additional partners—** For purposes of this section, an [eligible State partnership](#b-1) may include any entity with experience in serving incarcerated parents and their children.
  - (3) **Partnerships entered into by Indian tribes or tribal consortia—** Notwithstanding [paragraph (1)](#b-1), if an [Indian tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) or tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4) enters into a partnership pursuant to this section that does not consist solely of tribal [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) (or a [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4) of the [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1)), the partnership shall be considered an [eligible State partnership](#b-1) for purposes of this section.
- (c) **Application requirements—** An [eligible State partnership](#b-1) seeking a demonstration [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) under this section to carry out a program described in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) shall submit an application to the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) may require. The application shall include the following:
  - (1) A summary of the program, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) how the program will support a meaningful relationship between a [covered foster child](#i) and an incarcerated parent of the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c).
  - (2) A description of the activities to be carried out by the program, which must include all of the activities described in [subsection (d)](#d) that are in the best interest of the [covered foster child](#i).
  - (3) A framework for identifying—
    - (A) each [covered foster child](#i) eligible for services under the program, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b), to the extent practicable, coordination of data between relevant [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) and court systems; and
    - (B) the roles and responsibilities of the entities in the partnership.
  - (4) Documentation that the applicant is an [eligible State partnership](#b-1).
  - (5) Assurances that the applicant will participate fully in the evaluation described in [subsection (f)(2)](#f-2) and shall maintain records for the program, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) demographic information disaggregated by relevant characteristics with respect to covered foster children and incarcerated parents who participate in the program.
- (d) **Program activities—** To the extent that the activities are in the best interest of the [covered foster child](#i), the activities referred to in [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2) shall include the following:
  - (1) **Revision of policies—** Through consultation with incarcerated parents and their families, grantees shall promote organizational policies of participating [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare entities and collaborating correctional [facilities](/usc/42/1320a–3.md?p=c-5-B) to promote meaningful relationships through regular and developmentally appropriate communication and visitation between covered foster children and the incarcerated parents, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b), when appropriate, the following:
    - (A) For [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare entities—
      - (i) inclusion of parents in case planning and decision making for children;
      - (ii) regular sharing of information and responses to requests for information between caseworkers and incarcerated parents with respect to the case information of a [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c), any changes to a case, permanency plans, requirements to maintain parental rights, and any efforts to terminate parental rights;
      - (iii) appropriate opportunities for incarcerated parents to demonstrate their relationship with a [covered foster child](#i) given their incarceration, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) training and courses required for a service plan; and
      - (iv) the enhanced visitation described in [paragraph (2)](#d-2).
    - (B) For correctional [facilities](/usc/42/1320a–3.md?p=c-5-B), fostering visitation and communication that is developmentally appropriate in terms of—
      - (i) the nature of communication and visitation, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b)—
        - (I) the ability to physically touch parents;
        - (II) engaging with parents in locations that are appropriate for the age and development of the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c);
        - (III) exchanging items that are appropriate to the age and development of the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c), include expectations that are appropriate for the age and development of the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) related to behavior, attire, and wait times; and
        - (IV) allowing appropriate [adults](/usc/42/619.md?p=1) to bring children if legal guardians are not available to promote regular contact;
      - (ii) reasonable inclusion of all children of the parent;
      - (iii) communication and visitation at times when the children are available;
      - (iv) security procedures to comfort children and be minimally invasive; and
      - (v) promoting parent-[child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) relationships regardless of the sentence imposed on the parent.
  - (2) **Enhanced visitation—**
    - (A) Grantees shall facilitate weekly communication and, for at least 9 days each year, in-[person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) visitation between a [covered foster child](#i) and any incarcerated parent of the [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c).
    - (B) Electronic visitation (such as live video visits, phone calls, and recorded books) may be used but shall not be the sole method to promote a meaningful relationship for purposes of the [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10).
    - (C) Enhanced visitation programs shall—
      - (i) integrate best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for visitation programs with incarcerated parents and their children;
      - (ii) adopt developmentally appropriate visitation policies and procedures such as those described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#d-1-B);
      - (iii) reduce or eliminate the cost of developmentally appropriate communication and visitation for the [covered foster child](#i), which may include the purchase of communication technology, covering transportation, insurance, and lodging costs, costs related to providing appropriate visitation spaces and activities, and other relevant costs;
      - (iv) to the extent practicable, integrate appropriate parenting education to help prepare and process visits; and
      - (v) avoid restricting visitation and communication as a punishment for the incarcerated parents.
  - (3) **Training—** Grantees shall incorporate ongoing training for [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare workers, correctional [facility](/usc/42/1320a–3.md?p=c-5-B) staff, and other program providers to understand the importance of promoting meaningful relationships between children and incarcerated parents.
  - (4) **Case management—** Grantees shall provide [case management services](/usc/42/701.md?p=b-4) for the incarcerated parents of a [covered foster child](#i) to promote the relationship, access to services, and coordination with the caseworkers of the [covered foster child](#i) to strengthen the relationship.
  - (5) **Legal assistance—** Grantees shall facilitate access to necessary legal services and may use [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) funds for services that are not reimbursable under other Federal programs.
- (e) **Federal share—** The Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out using a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) made under this section shall be not greater than 75 percent.
- (f) **Technical assistance, evaluations, and reports—**
  - (1) **Technical assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall provide technical assistance with respect to [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) under this section, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) by—
    - (A) assisting grantees in understanding best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) in promoting meaningful relationships between incarcerated parents and their children as well as consulting with appropriate stakeholders when developing their programs;
    - (B) assisting grantees with establishing and analyzing implementation and performance indicators; and
    - (C) conducting an annual technical assistance and training meeting and an annual grantee meeting so that grantees can learn from the experiences of other grantees.
  - (2) **Evaluations—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall conduct an evaluation of program outcomes, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) with respect to parent and [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) well-being, parent-[child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) interactions, parental involvement, awareness of [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) development and parenting [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), placement stability, and termination of parental rights with respect to covered foster children and incarcerated parents, to measure program effectiveness, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), and identify opportunities for improved program [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and implementation.
  - (3) **Reports to the Congress—**
    - (A) **Initial report—** Not later than 3 years after January 4, 2025, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report that [includes](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b)—
      - (i) the number of applications for [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) under this section;
      - (ii) the number of [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) awarded, and the amounts for each [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10); and
      - (iii) information on the [grants](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10), [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b)—
        - (I) interim results of the evaluation described in [paragraph (2)](#f-2);
        - (II) disaggregated data on covered foster children and incarcerated parents;
        - (III) information on the composition of [eligible State partnerships](#b-1);
        - (IV) best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for facilitating meaningful relationships between covered foster children and incarcerated parents; and
        - (V) barriers to implementation or expansion of programs funded under this section.
    - (B) **Final report—** Not later than 6 years after January 4, 2025, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report that [includes](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b)—
      - (i) the final results of the evaluation described in [paragraph (2)](#f-2); and
      - (ii) recommendations for refinements to [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) requirements to improve program outcomes.
- (g) **Authority of Secretary with respect to Indian tribes and tribal organizations—**
  - (1) **Waiver or modification of requirements—** In making a [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) to an [Indian tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) or [tribal organization](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) may waive the matching requirement of [subsection (e)](#e) or modify an application requirement imposed by or under [subsection (c)](#c) if the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) determines that the waiver or modification is appropriate to the needs, culture, and circumstances of the [Indian tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) or [tribal organization](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A).
  - (2) **Evaluation—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall use tribally relevant data in carrying out the evaluation under [subsection (f)(2)](#f-2) with respect to an [Indian tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) or [tribal organization](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A).
- (h) **Limitations on authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) not more than $35,000,000 for each of [fiscal years](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2026 through 2029 to carry out this section.
- (i) **Definition of covered foster child—** In this section, the term “covered foster child” means a [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) that—
  - (1) is in foster care; and
  - (2) has at least 1 parent incarcerated in a Federal, [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), or local correctional [facility](/usc/42/1320a–3.md?p=c-5-B).

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 439, as added Pub. L. 107–133, title I, § 121, Jan. 17, 2002, 115 Stat. 2419; amended Pub. L. 109–288, § 8, Sept. 28, 2006, 120 Stat. 1249; Pub. L. 118–258, title I, § 113(a), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2963.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 439 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to section 639 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–485.

### Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 118–258 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to grants for programs for mentoring children of prisoners.

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(2)(A)(i), substituted “purposes” for “purpose” in heading.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(2)(A)(ii)–(iv), substituted “Purposes” for “Purpose” in heading, substituted “The purposes of this section are to authorize the Secretary—” for “The purpose of this section is to authorize the Secretary”, designated the remaining provisions as subpar. (A), and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(2)(B), substituted “(i)” for “(h)” and “(i)(2)” for “(h)(2)”.

Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(a)(1), substituted “2007 through 2011” for “2002 through 2006”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(1)(B), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(2)(C), amended heading and text of subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the programs conducted pursuant to this section, and submit to the Congress not later than April 15, 2005, a report on the findings of the evaluation.”

Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(1)(A), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(a)(2)(A), added par. (1) and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $67,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.”

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(a)(2)(B), substituted “4 percent” for “2.5 percent”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(2)(D)(i), substituted “reservations” for “reservation” in heading.

Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(1)(A), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i).

Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 109–288, § 8(b)(2)(D)(ii), substituted “Reservations” for “Reservation” in heading, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted heading, and added subpar. (B).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2025 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 118–258 effective Oct. 1, 2025, and applicable to payments under this part for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, with delay permitted if either State legislation or tribal action is required to meet additional requirements, see section 117 of Pub. L. 118–258, set out as a note under section 622 of this title.

### Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–288 effective Oct. 1, 2006, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, and with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 12(a), (b) of Pub. L. 109–288, set out as a note under section 621 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of Pub. L. 107–133, set out as an Effective Date of 2002 Amendment note under section 629 of this title.