Index

Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA)

Summary

A federal law that prioritizes the health and safety of children in the foster care system and mandates timelines for permanency planning.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    Right for children to live in safe, permanent homes.
  • 02.
    Right to a permanency hearing within 12 months of entering foster care.
  • 03.
    Expedited termination of parental rights in cases of extreme abuse.

Penalties

  • 01.
    Loss of federal funding for states that fail to meet timelines.
  • 02.
    Involuntary termination of parental rights if a child is in foster care for 15 of the last 22 months.

Verified Citations

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