NOFO Reimbursement for Legal Services

2026-11-03

The Division of Child and Family Services ( DCFS ) Grants Management Unit ( GMU ) seeks qualified legal organizations or agencies to partner with child welfare agencies in leveraging Title IV - E funding for child and parent legal representation . The purpose of the Title IV - E Reimbursement program for Legal Services is to provide funding to counties or agencies to support the statewide program expansion for an agency attorney , or through agreement , an attorney providing independent representation of a child who is a candidate for Title IV - E foster care or is in Title IV - E foster care and an attorney providing independent representation to such a child ’ s parent in legal proceedings . The legal services must be allowable IV - E expenses and related to protecting the safety of children and achieving permanence for children in out - of - home care . Under this program , federal IV - E funds are provided on a pass - through basis to agencies to support attorneys , paralegals , clerical and other legal staff whose positions are ( in whole or in part ) dedicated to expanding the ability to perform child welfare legal actions under the Child Welfare Policy Manual . The Title IV - E Reimbursement Program for Legal Services ensures that parents , children and youth and child welfare agencies receive high quality legal representation at all stages of child welfare proceedings , and to maximize allowable Title IV - E administrative reimbursement for children in Title IV - E foster care and their parent ( s ) in foster care legal proceedings . Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents and children in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court , parties ’ legal rights are protected and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced . There is evidence to support that legal representation for children and parents contributes to or is associated with : • Increases in party perceptions of fairness ; • Increases in party engagement in case planning , services and court hearings ; • More personally tailored and specific case plans and services ; • Increases in visitation and parenting time ; and • Cost savings to state government due to reductions of time children spend in care .

Nevada

2026-05-01