§ 1355.33 Procedures for the review.

(a) The full child and family services reviews will:

(1) Consist of a two-phase process that includes a statewide assessment and an on-site review; and

(2) Be conducted by a team of Federal, and State or Tribal reviewers that includes:

(i) Staff of the child and family services agency, including the offices that represent the service areas that are the focus of any particular review;

(ii) Representatives selected by the title IV–E agency, in collaboration with the ACF Regional Office, from those with whom the title IV–E agency was required to consult in developing its CFSP, as described and required in 45 CFR 1357.15(l);

(iii) Federal staff of HHS; and

(iv) Other individuals, as deemed appropriate and agreed upon by the title IV–E agency and ACF.

(b) Statewide or Tribal Assessment. The first phase of the full review will be a statewide assessment, or for a Tribal title IV–E agency a service area assessment, conducted by the title IV–E agency's internal and external members of the review team. The assessment must:

(1) Address each systemic factor under review including the statewide/Tribal information system; case review system; quality assurance system; staff training; service array; agency responsiveness to the community; and foster and adoptive parent licensing, recruitment and retention;

(2) Assess the outcome areas of safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families served by the title IV–E agency using data from AFCARS and NCANDS. For the initial review, ACF may approve another data source to substitute for AFCARS, and in all reviews, ACF may approve another data source to substitute for NCANDS. The title IV–E agency must also analyze and explain its performance in meeting the national standards for the statewide/Tribal service area data indicators;