*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 
1991.04.15 :  HHS Reorganization

Contact:  HHS Press Office (202) 245-6343
April 15, 1991

       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today announced a
reorganization of operating divisions at the Department of Health
and Human Services "to place greater emphasis and greater focus
on the needs of America's children and families."
       Under the plan, two of the department's five operating
divisions, as well as the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant
program, are being combined into a single Administration for
Children and Families.  The change is effective immediately.
       "The Department of Health and Human Services is the prime
advocate in the federal government for the welfare of children,
for child health, and for families," Secretary Sullivan said. "We
need an organizational structure that recognizes the central
importance of our responsibilities to children, and which enables
us to work more effectively on their behalf."
       With an annual budget of $27 billion and a staff of over
2,000, the new operating division combines the programs and
resources of the Family Support Administration and the Office of
Human Development Services, as well as the Maternal and Child
Health Block Grant from the Public Health Service.  No funding or
staff cuts will take place as a result of the change.  The
Administration on Aging will continue to report directly to the
Secretary, independent of the new operating division.
       "Many different HHS programs impact on child health and
welfare, and on the family.  With this consolidation, for the
first time, the government will have a single agency bringing
together the many child and family programs which have been
created over the years.  This will enhance the department's
ability to serve America's children and families, and it will
provide a strong base for new initiatives in this area," Dr.
Sullivan said. 
       The head of the new Administration for Children and
Families will be Assistant Secretary Jo Anne B. Barnhart.  She
will serve at the same level in HHS as the Commissioner of Social
Security, the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the
Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration.
       The new operating division includes programs such as Head
Start, Job Opportunities and Basic Skills, Aid to Families with
Dependent Children, Child Support Enforcement, Adoption
Assistance, Foster Care, Social Services Block Grant, Child Care
and Development Block Grant, and child abuse programs.

       Although effective immediately, the change will involve
extensive follow-up implementation, and a task force to oversee
implementation was also announced today by Secretary Sullivan. 
Co-chairs of the task force will be Jo Anne Barnhart and
Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget Kevin Moley.

       "It is our obligation to ensure that each of HHS' programs
is working as effectively as possible, and it is especially
important today that our programs serve our children and families
well," Secretary Sullivan said.  "President Bush has made clear
his commitment to the health, welfare and education of America's
children.  The change we are announcing today will help carry out
the President's commitment."



                                ###