The Multiethnic Placement Act, as amended, enacted in 1994 and known as MEPA (or MEPA/IEP to acknowledge amendments passed in 1996), prohibits child welfare agencies that receive federal funding from delaying or denying foster or adoptive placements because of a child or prospective foster or adoptive parent's race, ...

What is MEPA in foster care?

The Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) of 1994 and the Interethnic Adoption Provisions (IEP) of 1996 are federal laws that govern how foster and adoption placement decisions involving race, color or national origin (RCNO) are considered.

What is IEPA and MEPA?

The Multi Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) (1994) as amended by Interethnic Placement Act (IEPA) (1996) is the principal federal law that addresses the use of race, color and national origin in making decisions about foster care and adoptive placements.