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KB.00 Mission [72 FR 24314-24316, 05/02/2007]. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, on matters relating to the sound development of children, youth and families by planning, developing and implementing a broad range of activities. It administers state grant programs under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act; manages the Adoption Opportunities program and other discretionary programs for the development and provision of child welfare services; and administers discretionary grant programs providing facilities for runaway youth; and administers the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. It supports and encourages services that prevent or remedy the effects of abuse and/or neglect of children and youth.

In concert with other components of ACF, ACYF develops and implements research, demonstration and evaluation strategies for the discretionary funding of activities designed to improve and enrich the lives of children and youth and to strengthen families. It administers Child Welfare Services training and Child Welfare Services research and demonstration programs authorized by title IV-B of the Social Security Act; administers programs under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; administers abstinence education grants under section 510 of the Social Security Act and other abstinence education programs; carries out provisions of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, administers the program for mentoring children of prisoners under section 439 of the Social Security Act; and manages initiatives to involve the private and voluntary sectors in the areas of children, youth and families.

KB.10 Organization [72 FR 24314-24316, 05/02/2007]. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families is headed by a Commissioner, who reports directly to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families and consists of:

Office of the Commissioner (KBA)

Office of Management Services (KBA1)

Children's Bureau (KBD)

Children’s Bureau Regional Program Units (KBDDI-X)

Office of Child Abuse and Neglect (KBD1)

Division of Policy (KBD2)

Division of Program Implementation (KBD3)

Division of Data, Research and Innovation (KBD4)

Division of Child Welfare Capacity Building (KBD5)

Division of State Systems (KBD6)

Family and Youth Services Bureau (KBE)

Division of Youth Services (KBE1)

Division of Family Violence Prevention (KBE2)

Division of Abstinence Programs (KBE3)

KB.20 Functions A. The Office of the Commissioner [67 FR 8816-18, 02/26/02] serves as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, the Secretary, and other officials of the Department on the sound development of children, youth, and families. It provides executive direction and management strategy to ACYF components. The Deputy Commissioner assists the Commissioner in carrying out the responsibilities of the Office. In addition to the Immediate Office, the Office of the Commissioner contains the Office of Management Services. In support of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner and in consultation with ACYF programs the:

Office of Management Services manages the formulation and execution of the budgets for ACYF programs and for Federal administration; serves as the central control point for operational and long range planning; functions as Executive Secretariat for ACYF; including managing correspondence, correspondence systems, and electronic mail requests; reviews and manages clearance for program announcements for ACYF, the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD); plans for/coordinates the provision of staff development and training; provides support for ACYF's personnel administration, including staffing, employee and labor relations, performance management and employee recognition; manages procurement planning and provides technical assistance regarding procurement; plans for/oversees the discretionary grant paneling process; manages ACYF-controlled space and facilities; performs manpower planning and administration; plans for, acquires, distributes and controls ACYF supplies; provides mail and messenger services; maintains duplicating, fax, and computer and computer peripheral equipment; supports and manages automation within ACYF; provides for health and safety; and oversees travel, time and attendance, and other administrative functions for ACYF.

B. Children’s Bureau Regional Program Units (KBDDI-X) [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06]  is headed by a CB Regional Program Manager who reports to the Associate Commissioner, Children's Bureau, within ACYF. The CB Regional Program Manager, through subordinate regional staff, in collaboration with program components, is responsible for: (1) Providing program and technical administration of CB formula, entitlement, block and discretionary programs related to child welfare, including child abuse and neglect, child protective services, family preservation and support, adoption, foster care and independent living; (2) collaborating with the ACF Central Office, States, and grantees on all program matters for programs or issues that have significant implications for the programs; (3) providing technical assistance to entities responsible for administering CB programs to resolve identified problems; (4) ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5) working with appropriate State and local officials to develop and implement outcome-based performance measures; and (6) monitoring the programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness, and ensuring that these entities conform to Federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the programs.

1. Office on Child Abuse and Neglect provides leadership and direction on the issues of child maltreatment and the prevention of abuse and neglect under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). It is the focal point for interagency collaborative efforts, national conferences and special initiatives related to child abuse and neglect, and for coordinating activities related to the prevention of abuse and neglect and the protection of children at-risk. It supports activities to build networks of community-based, prevention-focused family resource and support programs through the Community-Based Family Resource and Support Program. It supports improvement in the systems which handle child abuse and neglect cases, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation and maltreatment related fatalities, and improvement in the investigation and prosecution of these cases through the Children's Justice Act.

2. Division of Policy provides leadership and direction in policy development and interpretation under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and the Basic State Grant under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. It writes regulations and interprets policy for the Bureau's formula and entitlement grant programs, and responds to requests for policy clarification from ACF Regional Offices and a variety of other sources.

3. Division of Program Implementation provides leadership and direction in the operation and review of programs under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and the Basic State Grant under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. It develops program instructions, information memoranda, and annual reports. It analyzes State Plans and develops State profiles and other reports; participates in monitoring and reviewing State information systems to ensure the accuracy and relevancy of the data. It is responsible for the Monitoring Team, which schedules and coordinates the monitoring of State reviews and ensures effective corrective action if necessary. It works with appropriate other agencies and organizations on the implementation and oversight of relevant sections of the Indian Child Welfare Act. It is the focal point for financial issues, including disallowances, appeals, and the decisions of the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB). It responds to client and constituent correspondence received electronically and from a variety of sources.

4. Division of Data, Research and Innovation provides leadership and direction in program development, innovation, research and in the management of the Bureau's information systems under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. It defines critical issues for investigation and makes recommendations regarding subject areas for research, demonstration and evaluation. It administers the Bureau's discretionary grant programs, and awards project grants to State and local agencies and organizations nationwide. It provides direction to the Crisis Nurseries and Abandoned Infants Resource Centers. It is responsible for the Data and Technology Team which analyzes and disseminates program data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS); develops systematic methods of measuring the impact and effectiveness of various child welfare programs; performs statistical sampling functions; provides comprehensive guidance to States, local agencies and others on data collection issues, and performance and outcome measures; and is the focal point for technology development within the Bureau.

5. Division of Child Welfare Capacity Building provides leadership and direction in the areas of training, technical assistance and information dissemination under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Either directly or through the Resource Centers, it provides training and technical assistance to assist service providers, State and local governments and tribes, and strengthen headquarters and regional office staff.

It manages section 426 discretionary training grants and title IV-E training. It directs the operations and activities of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect Information Clearinghouse and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. It identifies best practices for treating troubled families and preventing abuse and neglect. It participates in the development of grant announcements, and manages certain discretionary grant projects. It develops and issues a periodic newsletter, and is the focal point for conference and meeting planning activities for the Bureau.

6. Division of State Systems (DSS) reviews, assesses, and inspects the planning, design and operation of State management information systems and approves advanced planning documents for automated data systems. The Division provides leadership for the provision of technical assistance to States on information systems projects and advances the use of computer technology in the administration of child welfare and social services programs by States. The Division reviews, analyzes, and approves/disapproves State requests for federal financial participation for automated systems development and activities which support child welfare programs, including foster care and adoption. It provides assistance to States in developing or modifying automation plans to conform to federal requirements. It monitors approved State system development activities and conducts periodic reviews to assure State compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to automated systems supported by Federal financial participation. It provides guidance to States on functional requirements for these automated information systems. It promotes interstate transfer of existing ACYF programs through the use of automated systems.

C. The Family and Youth Services Bureau [72 FR 24314-24316, 05/02/07] is headed by an Associate Commissioner who recommends policy direction and programs to address issues involving youth, family, abstinence education, mentoring children of prisoners, and domestic violence issues to the Commissioner, ACYF. The Associate Commissioner has a Deputy Associate Commissioner who acts as his alter ego and is responsible for the day-to-day direction of three divisions. The Office of the Associate Commissioner also has a Research, Data and Evaluation Team and a Regional Operations Team. The Bureau assesses policies, legislation and programs that affect runaway and homeless youth, families, mentoring children of prisoners, domestic violence and abstinence education. It recommends budgetary and legislative proposals and subject areas for research and demonstration activities; coordinates efforts with and provides expert advice to departmental and other federal agencies on youth issues and programs including runaway and homeless youth and youth at risk of involvement with gangs, violence and drugs and other youth in at-risk situations; and develops program initiatives to address abstinence education and the needs of runaway and homeless youth, families, children of prisoners and domestic violence victims and their dependents. The Bureau represents HHS on various councils, workgroups and committees and provides leadership and coordination to other HHS programs and agencies. The Bureau has the following divisions:

1. The Division of Youth Services promotes a youth development approach to program services so that Bureau programs and activities are planned and designed with an emphasis on meeting the developmental needs of young people and their families, including runaway and homeless youth, youth at risk of involvement with gangs, violence and drugs and other youth in at-risk situations. The Division's administration of the runaway and homeless youth program--which incorporates the basic center, street outreach and transitional living programs--includes development and implementation of policy, guidelines and regulations concerning the funding and management of service projects for youth under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Administration of the program for mentoring children of prisoners authorized under section 439 of the Social Security Act also includes development of policy, guidelines and regulations regarding the funding and management of grant projects and other activities.  The Division oversees the receipt and review of applications for grants that ultimately provide services to youth and families and monitors the management of these grants in the ACF Regional Offices. In addition, the Division designs, develops, funds and monitors support activities related to these programs, including, but not limited to, the provision of technical assistance, a monitoring system, a data collection system, a family and youth clearinghouse and a national communications system/hotline.  The Division determines the conceptual and policy framework to address issues facing families and adolescents. It identities problems, defines critical issues for investigation and makes recommendations regarding subject areas for research, demonstration and evaluation activities. Based on the outcomes of these activities, the Division disseminates information through conferences, forums and written materials; provides assistance to service providers and state and local governments in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating programs affecting family and youth; and recommends plans and programs to increase public awareness and understanding about activities affecting vulnerable families and youth.

2. The Division of Family Violence Prevention promotes public awareness about domestic violence and its impact. The Division's programs support the prevention of family violence; provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims of family violence and their dependents; provide for research into the most effective prevention, identification and treatment of family violence; and provide training and technical assistance to family violence personnel in states, tribes, local public agencies (including law enforcement agencies, courts, social service agencies and health care professionals) and non-profit organizations. The Division is responsible for developing, updating and implementing program regulations and policies. The Division oversees the receipt and review of applications for grants and certain grantee activities. It also provides guidance, review, support and assistance to states and grantees on HHS policies, regulations, procedures and systems necessary to ensure efficient program operation at the state, territorial and tribal levels. In addition, the Division coordinates all programs within the Department of Health and Human Services, and seeks to coordinate all other Federal programs, which involve the prevention of incidents of family violence and the provision of assistance for victims and potential victims of family violence and their dependents.

3. The Division of Abstinence Programs manages the Abstinence Education State Grant Program, which provides formula grants to states and other jurisdictions for the purpose of providing abstinence education as defined by Section 510 of the Social Security Act. The Division also manages the Community-Based Abstinence Education Grant Program, which makes competitive grants to public and private entities to plan and implement strategies for providing abstinence education to adolescents. The Division develops the conceptual framework to address abstinence education issues, monitors and assesses the programs and ensures the provision of technical assistance.

As of May 16, 2007