42 U.S.C. § 629E
Section 629e · Evaluations; research; technical assistance
Viewing 42 U.S.C. § 629E as in effect on January 17, 2002. The text changed in 3 later editions (most recent January 4, 2025).
View current version →(1) In general
The Secretary shall evaluate and report to the Congress biennially on the effectiveness of the programs carried out pursuant to this subpart in accomplishing the purposes of this subpart, and may evaluate any other Federal, State, or local program, regardless of whether federally assisted, that is designed to achieve the same purposes as the program under this subpart, in accordance with criteria established in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Criteria to be used
In developing the criteria to be used in evaluations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with appropriate parties, such as—
(A) State agencies administering programs under this part and part E of this subchapter;
(B) persons administering child and family services programs (including family preservation and family support programs) for private, nonprofit organizations with an interest in child welfare; and
(C) other persons with recognized expertise in the evaluation of child and family services programs (including family preservation and family support programs) or other related programs.
(3) Timing of report
Beginning in 2003, the Secretary shall submit the biennial report required by this subsection not later than April 1 of every other year, and shall include in each such report the funding level, the status of ongoing evaluations, findings to date, and the nature of any technical assistance provided to States under subsection (d) of this section.
The Secretary shall develop procedures to coordinate evaluations under this section, to the extent feasible, with evaluations by the States of the effectiveness of programs under this subpart.
The Secretary shall give priority consideration to the following topics for research and evaluation under this subsection, using rigorous evaluation methodologies where feasible:
(1) Promising program models in the service categories specified in section 629(b) of this title, particularly time-limited reunification services and postadoption services.
(2) Multi-disciplinary service models designed to address parental substance abuse and to reduce its impacts on children.
(3) The efficacy of approaches directed at families with specific problems and with children of specific age ranges.
(4) The outcomes of adoptions finalized after enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
To the extent funds are available therefor, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance that helps States and Indian tribes to—
(1) develop research-based protocols for identifying families at risk of abuse and neglect of use in the field;
(2) develop treatment models that address the needs of families at risk, particularly families with substance abuse issues;
(3) implement programs with well-articulated theories of how the intervention will result in desired changes among families at risk;
(4) establish mechanisms to ensure that service provision matches the treatment model; and
(5) establish mechanisms to ensure that postadoption services meet the needs of the individual families and develop models to reduce the disruption rates of adoption.
Editorial notes U.S. Code · Office of the Law Revision Counsel
References in Text
Part E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is classified to section 670 et seq. of this title.
The enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is the enactment of Pub. L. 105–89, which was approved Nov. 19, 1997.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 435 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to section 635 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–485.
Amendments
2002—Pub. L. 107–133, §105(1), substituted “Evaluations; research; technical assistance” for “Evaluations” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–133, §105(1), substituted “The Secretary shall evaluate and report to the Congress biennially on” for “The Secretary shall evaluate”.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 107–133, §105(2), added par. (3).
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 107–133, §105(3), added subsecs. (c) and (d).
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–133 effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of Pub. L. 107–133, set out as a note under section 629 of this title.