Administration for Children and Families

Chapter KM

OFFICE OF PLANNING, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

67 FR 67198, 11/04/02

67 FR 4453-54, 01/30/02

KM.00 Mission
KM.10 Organization
KM.20 Functions

KM.00 Mission [67 FR 67198, 11/04/02]. The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) is the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of programs designed to make measurable improvements in the economic and social well-being of children and families.

The Office provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance, and oversight to ACF programs and across programs in the agency on: strategic planning aimed at measurable results; performance measurement; research and evaluation methodologies; demonstration testing and model development; statistical, policy and program analysis; synthesis and dissemination of research and demonstration findings; and application of emerging technologies to improve the effectiveness of programs and service delivery.

The Office, through the Division of Economic Independence and the Division of Child and Family Development, oversees and manages the research programs under sections 413 and 1110 of the Social Security Act, including: Priority settings and analysis; managing and coordinating major cross-cutting, leading-edge studies and special initiatives; and collaborating with states, communities, foundations, professional organizations and others to promote the development of children, family focused services, parental responsibility, employment, and economic independence. Through the Division of Child and Family Development, the Office also oversees and manages the research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under Section 649 of the Head Start Act. In addition, the Office also provides coordination and leadership in implementing the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

KM.10 Organization [67 FR 67198, 11/04/02]. The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) is headed by a Director, who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Director (KMA)
Division of Economic Independence (KMB)
Division of Child and Family Development (KMC)

KM.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Director [67 FR 67198, 11/04/02] provides direction and executive leadership to OPRE in administering its responsibilities. It serves as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on all matters pertaining to: improving the effectiveness and efficiency of ACF programs; strategic planning; performance measurement; program and policy evaluation; research and demonstrations; state and local innovations and progress; and public/private partnership initiatives of concern to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. It represents the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at various planning, research, and evaluation forums and carries out special Departmental and Administration initiatives.

B. The Division of Economic Independence [67 FR 67198, 11/04/02], in cooperation with ACF income support programs and others, works with Federal counterparts, States, community agencies, and the private sector to understand and overcome barriers to economic independence; promote parental responsibility; and assist in improving the effectiveness of programs that further economic independence.

The Division provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance and oversight in ACF on: Strategic planning and performance measurement for economic independence; statistical, policy and program analysis; surveys, research, and evaluation methodologies; demonstration testing and model development; synthesis and dissemination of research and demonstration findings; and application of emerging technologies to programs which promote employment, parental responsibility, and economic independence.

The Division develops policy-relevant research priorities; conducts, manages, and coordinates major cross-program, leading-edge research, demonstrations, and evaluation studies, manages and conducts statistical, policy, and program analyses on trends in employment, child support payments, and other income supports; and works in partnership with States, communities, and the private sector to promote employment, parental responsibility, and family economic independence.

C. The Division of Child and Family Development [67 FR 67198, 11/04/02], in cooperation with ACF programs and others, works with Federal counterparts, States, community agencies, and the private sector to: Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs; assure the protection of children and other vulnerable populations; strengthen and promote family stability; and foster sound growth and development of children and their families.

The Division provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance and oversight in ACF on: strategic planning and performance measurement for all ACF programs, including child and family development; statistical, policy and program analysis; surveys, research and evaluation methodologies; demonstration testing and model development; synthesis and dissemination of research and demonstration findings; and application of emerging technologies to improve the effectiveness of programs and service delivery.

The Division conducts, manages, and coordinates major cross-program, leading-edge research, demonstration, and evaluation studies; develops policy-relevant research priorities; and manages and conducts statistical, policy, and program analyses related to children and families. Division staff also provides consultation, coordination, direction and support for research activities related to children and families across ACF programs.

In partnership with the Head Start Bureau and the Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, the Division oversees and manages the research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under section 649 of the Head Start Act and manages the Head Start research budget. The Division also manages the Social Services research and demonstration budget under section 1110 of the Social Security Act.