Federal Child Welfare Funding Expanding To Include Medications For Opioid Use Disorders

Starting on October 1, 2026, states will be able to use Title IV-E prevention funding to help pay for medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) for parents with children at risk of entering foster care. This includes cases where children remain in the home or are in a kinship placement.

The expansion of the funds to cover buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone with the child welfare prevention funding is not mandatory—states have the option to expand their programs but are not required to do so.

Currently, states receive a 50% federal match from Title IV-E funding for . . .