Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CO 0079
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through ACYF/Children's Bureau, is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement to support a national electronic interstate records exchange system for the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). ICPC is the legal and administrative framework used by all 50 states, Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to manage foster care, adoption, and certain residential placements that cross state or territorial lines. Because states consider interstate ICPC placements for an estimated 100,000 children each year, the speed, consistency, and security of information sharing between jurisdictions can have a direct impact on how quickly children can be placed and achieve permanency.
A major driver behind this opportunity is the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, which requires every state to be connected to an electronic interstate case processing system by October 1, 2027. This grant is intended to help the field meet that deadline by funding the expansion and implementation of a secure, multi-tenant electronic system. In practical terms, "multi-tenant" means the platform is designed so multiple jurisdictions can use the same core system while keeping each jurisdiction's data appropriately separated and protected, and while still enabling the controlled exchange of ICPC case information across borders.
The funded national exchange is expected to do several things at once. First, it must successfully onboard ICPC jurisdictions that are required to participate or that choose to join, meaning it needs a clear implementation approach for bringing states and other ICPC jurisdictions onto the system, supporting adoption, and handling the operational realities of working with many different agencies. Second, it must maintain and refine the electronic exchange over time so that jurisdictions can safely and securely share the information needed to process ICPC cases. Third, it should improve administrative efficiency by streamlining the ICPC process, which typically involves standardized forms, reviews, approvals, and communication steps that can be slowed down by paper workflows, faxing, or inconsistent local practices.
A central outcome emphasized in the opportunity is reducing barriers for children waiting on interstate placements. By modernizing and standardizing how ICPC information is exchanged, the system is intended to cut delays, reduce back-and-forth between jurisdictions, and improve the odds that children who would benefit from an interstate placement can reach permanency in a timelier manner. The opportunity also stresses that the system should not exist in isolation. It should support interoperability with other human services functions and systems, and it should align with ACF's broader push for interoperability standards. Specifically, applicants are expected to incorporate approaches consistent with the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and the National Human Services Interoperability Architecture (NHSIA) when interacting with state child welfare information systems, so that exchanges follow recognized data standards and can integrate more cleanly with existing state technology environments.
Security and privacy are treated as core requirements rather than optional enhancements. The electronic exchange must comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security standards, reflecting the sensitivity of child welfare data and the need for strong controls around access, authentication, auditing, transmission security, and data protection. Because the system is intended to be used across many jurisdictions, the design must accommodate variations in state policies and privacy requirements while still enabling efficient, lawful information sharing for ICPC purposes.
This is a single-award opportunity with an award ceiling of $1,600,000 and an expected number of awards of 1, indicating ACF is looking for one lead entity to carry the national effort under a cooperative agreement structure (which generally implies substantial federal involvement and collaboration during the period of performance). The opportunity number is HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CO-0079, and the application deadline is March 16, 2026 (original closing date). The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 93.652, and the funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services.
Eligibility is broad across public and private sectors, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible if they otherwise meet the requirements, and ACF states it will not discriminate in selection based on an organization's religious character or affiliation, consistent with applicable federal rules and protections (including 45 CFR Part 87 and relevant federal statutes).
Overall, the grant is aimed at helping ICPC jurisdictions move from slower, fragmented, and sometimes paper-driven interstate workflows to a secure, standardized, and interoperable electronic exchange. The intended result is a more efficient ICPC process across the country, stronger data-sharing practices that respect privacy and security obligations, and better timeliness and outcomes for children and families when placements must occur across state or territorial lines.Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CO 0079
- The Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for a National Electronic Interstate Records Exchange System" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.652.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-01-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity about?
This is an Administration for Children and Families (ACF) discretionary cooperative agreement to support a national electronic interstate records exchange system for the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). The goal is to modernize and standardize how ICPC case information is shared across state and territorial lines.
Which ACF office is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by ACF through ACYF/Children's Bureau.
What is ICPC, and who uses it?
ICPC is the legal and administrative framework used by all 50 states, Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to manage foster care, adoption, and certain residential placements that cross state or territorial lines.
Why is an electronic national exchange being funded now?
A major driver is the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, which requires every state to be connected to an electronic interstate case processing system by October 1, 2027. This grant is intended to help the field meet that deadline by funding expansion and implementation of a secure, multi-tenant electronic system.
How many children are affected by interstate ICPC placements each year?
States consider interstate ICPC placements for an estimated 100,000 children each year, so the speed and consistency of information sharing can directly affect how quickly children are placed and achieve permanency.
What does "multi-tenant" mean in this grant?
"Multi-tenant" means multiple jurisdictions can use the same core system while each jurisdiction's data remains appropriately separated and protected, and while still enabling controlled exchange of ICPC case information across borders.
What are the primary expected functions of the funded national exchange?
Based on the opportunity description, the national exchange is expected to: (1) successfully onboard ICPC jurisdictions that must participate or choose to join; (2) maintain and refine the electronic exchange over time so jurisdictions can securely share information needed to process ICPC cases; and (3) improve administrative efficiency by streamlining the ICPC process and reducing reliance on slower paper-based workflows.
What does "onboarding ICPC jurisdictions" involve?
The exchange is expected to have a clear implementation approach for bringing states and other ICPC jurisdictions onto the system, supporting adoption, and handling the operational realities of working with many different agencies across jurisdictions.
How is this system expected to improve ICPC processing?
The opportunity emphasizes streamlining standardized forms, reviews, approvals, and communication steps that can be slowed down by paper workflows, faxing, or inconsistent local practices. The system is intended to reduce back-and-forth and cut delays in interstate case processing.
What outcomes does ACF emphasize for children and families?
A central outcome is reducing barriers for children waiting on interstate placements. By modernizing and standardizing information exchange, the system is intended to improve timeliness and increase the likelihood that children who would benefit from an interstate placement can reach permanency sooner.
Is interoperability with state systems required or encouraged?
Interoperability is explicitly emphasized. The system should support interoperability with other human services functions and systems and align with ACF's broader push for interoperability standards.
Which interoperability standards or frameworks are referenced?
Applicants are expected to incorporate approaches consistent with the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and the National Human Services Interoperability Architecture (NHSIA) when interacting with state child welfare information systems.
Why are NIEM and NHSIA mentioned in the opportunity?
The description indicates these approaches are meant to help ensure data exchanges follow recognized standards and integrate more cleanly with existing state technology environments.
What security and privacy requirements apply to the electronic exchange?
Security and privacy are treated as core requirements. The electronic exchange must comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security standards, reflecting the sensitivity of child welfare data and the need for strong controls around access, authentication, auditing, transmission security, and data protection.
Does the system need to account for differences across state policies and privacy rules?
Yes. Because the exchange is intended for many jurisdictions, the design must accommodate variations in state policies and privacy requirements while still enabling efficient, lawful information sharing for ICPC purposes.
What type of award is this?
This is a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for the project?
The opportunity notes that a cooperative agreement structure generally implies substantial federal involvement and collaboration during the period of performance.
Is this a single-award or multi-award opportunity?
This is a single-award opportunity. The expected number of awards is 1.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,600,000.
Who is ACF looking for to lead this work?
With one expected award, ACF indicates it is looking for one lead entity to carry the national effort under the cooperative agreement.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CO-0079.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is March 16, 2026 (original closing date).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 93.652.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services.
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review.
Are faith-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible if they otherwise meet the requirements. ACF states it will not discriminate in selection based on an organization's religious character or affiliation, consistent with applicable federal rules and protections (including 45 CFR Part 87 and relevant federal statutes).
What problem is this grant trying to solve?
The grant is aimed at helping ICPC jurisdictions move away from slower, fragmented, and sometimes paper-driven interstate workflows toward a secure, standardized, interoperable electronic exchange to improve efficiency, strengthen information-sharing practices, and support timelier placements and permanency outcomes.
Does this opportunity focus only on technology, or also on operations?
Based on the description, it addresses both: technology (a secure, multi-tenant electronic exchange with standards-based interoperability) and operations (onboarding jurisdictions, supporting adoption, and managing ongoing maintenance and refinement over time).
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