Michigan tests US-backed pilot program to help families of young children avert foster care

Pilot program aims to keep young at-risk children in their own homes

Published On: Oct 04 2012 02:45:13 PM EDT   Updated On: Oct 04 2012 02:50:46 PM EDT
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
LANSING, Mich. -

Michigan's welfare agency is starting a pilot program to try to keep young at-risk children in their own homes, rather than place them in foster care.

The Michigan Department of Human Services said Thursday that the program for children from birth through age 5 is possible because of a waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The project is scheduled to start Aug. 1, 2013, in Kalamazoo, Macomb and Muskegon counties.

The Title IV-E waiver lets the state agency use federal foster care funds for the project over five years.

Michigan is among nine states getting the pilot project waiver.

The state says it will provide prevention and preservation services for families with young children at high risk for abuse and neglect.

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