ACF Launches $7 Million Innovation Challenge to Help Achieve A Home for Every Child
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced a nationwide $7 million prize competition aimed at incentivizing states to improve their ratios of foster homes-to-children in foster care. The A Home for Every Child Innovation Challenge will reward child welfare agencies with the best ratio and the most improved ratio within one year, starting October 2026. These state performance-based bonuses reflect ACF’s commitment to achieving the goal of a 1:1 ratio of foster homes-to-children in foster care across the country.
“In my conversations with the 20 participating states, I have been struck by a shared sense of determination. Each one wants their state to lead – to do better for children and families than ever before. That spirit of health competition is powerful,” said Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams.
“The introduction of performance-based bonus awards raises the stakes in the right way, aligning incentives with what we know works. I have seen first-hand how our 'A Home for Every Child' initiative is helping states expand the number of safe, supportive homes, responsibly reduce entries into foster care, and most importantly, deliver real, lasting results for children.
May the best state win, and most importantly, let’s work together so that all children win nationwide.”
The first-place state with the highest ratio of foster homes-to-children in foster care will be awarded $3 million. The second-place state will be awarded $2 million. Finally, two states with the most improved ratios will be awarded $1 million.
Registration for the Innovation Challenge begins today, May 14, 2026, and ends on June 30, 2026. The competition period will run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, with winners expected to be announced in November 2027.
Competition Requirements
To be eligible to participate in the Innovation Challenge, a child welfare jurisdiction must be participating in ACF’s “A Home for Every Child” initiative. This means the jurisdiction has formally opted into the new Program Improvement Plan (PIP) pilot announced under Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) Technical Bulletin #14.
The child welfare jurisdiction must also be authorized to receive federal funding under Title IV-E.
Winner Selection
Winners of the Innovation Challenge will be selected based on data submitted to ACF under the new PIP pilot. The Assistant Secretary for Children and Families will make the final determination of winners based on verified data and compliance with all challenge requirements. Prizes will be paid directly to the winners via electronic funds transfer.
States can learn more about the rules of the competition and how to enter by visiting A Home for Every Child Innovation Challenge.
