The federal government's dereliction allows states to fall short on meeting minimum child welfare standards. Below is information specific to Utah:

CFSR Results Summary: In its Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process, HHS determines whether each state is in substantial conformity with 7 specific outcomes (pertaining to the areas of safety, permanency and family and child well-being) and 7 systemic factors (relating to the quality of services delivered to children and families and the outcomes they experience).  In the first two rounds of the CFSR, HHS has concluded that Utah was:

Round 1 (2003)

• NOT in substantial conformity with 5 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 1 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Round 2 (2010)   

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 2 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Although federal law mandates that any state found not to be operating in substantial conformity during an initial or subequent review must begin a full review within two years after approval of the state's program improvement plan, HHS has announced that Utah will not undergo Round 3 of the CFSR until FY 2018 (see CFSR Technical Bulletin #7 (March 2014)).

Documents from the U.S. Health & Human Services Children's Bureau

• Child and Family Services Review Reports and Results
  
  
  • Utah Performance Improvement Plan (Round 2)
  • Final Report: Utah Child and Family Services Review, 2010 (Round 2)
  • Utah Performance Improvement Plan (Round 1)
  • Final Report: Utah Child and Family Services Review, 2003 (Round 1)
• Title IV-E State Reports and Program Improvement Plans (PIPs)
  
  
  • Initial Primary (FY 2002)
  • Primary Review (FY 2005)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2008)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2011)
• Other Documents / Reports
  
  
  • Utah AFCARS Assessment Review (2005)
  • Utah section from HHS' Child Welfare Outcomes, 2009-2012, Report to Congress

Child Welfare Litigation*

• David C. v. Huntsman
  This comprehensive child welfare reform class action was filed on behalf of all foster children and children reported as abused or neglected in the State of Utah. The complaint addressed nearly all aspects of the state’s child welfare services and foster care system, including: abuse and neglect investigations and child protective services; quality and safety of out-of-home placement; health care and mental health care for foster children; caseloads and staff training; and case planning, case review, and permanency planning.
  

*litigation summary taken from information provided by the website of the National Center for Youth Law,

Child Welfare In the News**

• Utah Foster Care says more children need foster homes (Includes video)
  KTVX - January 14, 2015
  According to Utah Foster Care, there are about 2,600 children in foster homes across the state but only 1,300 families are licensed. Because of the need, they will host seven public forums to recruit parents. The first was held tonight at the Falls Event Center in St. George.
  
• Warner reports rough year for county child abuse cases
  The Herald Journal - November 11, 2014
  Terryl Warner, a victim's advocate for the Cache County Attorney's office, said this year has been rough for the county.
  

**news summaries taken from daily newsfeed service of HHS' Child Welfare Information Gateway