State Agencies Did Not Always Ensure That Children Missing From Foster Care Were Reported To The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children In Accordance With Federal Requirements

On March 2, 2023, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published this report that finds that state agencies did not always ensure that children missing from foster care were reported to the national center for missing & exploited children in accordance with federal requirements. Federal law requires States to provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children in foster care until they are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families, or placed in other planned,  permanent living arrangements. Concerns regarding States’ lack of knowledge regarding the . . .