RVOFA

Administration for Children and Families

Chapter KH

OFFICE OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE

71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06

71 FR 29649-29650, 05/23/06

67 FR 67198, 11/04/02

65 FR 8980-81, 02/23/00

KH.00 Mission

KH.10 Organization

KH.20 Functions

KH.00 Mission [71 FR 29649-29650, 05/23/06]. The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, on matters relating to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, title IV-A of the Social Security Act. This program promotes temporary assistance and economic self-sufficiency for children and families. The Office provides leadership direction and technical guidance, with ACF Regional Offices, to the States, Tribes and Territories on the TANF program, the Native Employment Works program, and the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled program in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island. The Office refocuses efforts to increase economic independence and productivity for families. It provides direction and guidance in the collection and dissemination of performance and other valuable data for these programs. The office provides technical assistance to States, Territories, Indian Tribes, native American organizations, localities and community groups, and assesses State, Territorial and Tribal performance in administering these programs; reviews State and Tribal planning for administrative and operational improvement; and recommends actions to improve effectiveness.

In addition, the Office of Family Assistance advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, on matters relating to child care. The Child Care Bureau serves as the principal advisor to the Director, OFA, on issues regarding child care programs. It has primary responsibility for the operation of child care programs authorized under the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act and section 418 of the Social Security Act. It develops legislative, regulatory and budgetary proposals; presents operational planning objectives and initiatives related to child care to the Director, OFA; and oversees the progress of approved activities. It provides leadership and coordination for child care within ACF. It provides leadership and linkages with other agencies on child care issues including agencies within DHHS, relevant agencies across the Federal, State, local governments and Tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations at the Federal, State and local levels.

KH.10 Organization. The Office of Family Assistance [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06] 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 (KHA)
TANF Bureau (KHB)
Division of State and Territory TANF Management and Technical Assistance (KHB2)
Division of Data Collection and Analysis (KHB3)
Division of Tribal TANF Management (KHB4)
TANF Bureau Regional Program Units (KHBDI-X)
Child Care Bureau (KHJ)
Division of Technical Assistance (KHJ1)
Division of Program Operations (KHJ2)
Division of Policy (KHJ3)
Child Care Bureau Regional Program Units (KHJDI-X)

KH.20 Functions A. Office of the Director (KHA): The Office of the Director is directly [71 FR 59117-59123, 10/06/06] responsible to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families for carrying out OFA's mission and providing direction, leadership, guidance, and general supervision to the principal components of OFA. The Deputy Director assists the director in carrying out the responsibilities for the Office. The Associate Director for the TANF Bureau and the Associate Director for the Child Care Bureau report to the OFA Director. The Office: (1) provides public information services by responding to inquiries from the public and private sectors from both domestic and international entities via written and electronic communication; (2) coordinates and organizes the printing and distribution of policy and guidance documents and responds to Freedom of Information Act requests; (3) manages the formulation and execution of the budgets for OFA programs and for Federal administration; (4) serves as the focal point for operational and long-range planning; (5) functions as Executive Secretariat for OFA, including managing correspondence, correspondence systems, and electronic mail requests; and (6) provides management and administrative services and advice, by coordinating human resources activities, developing policy and procedures relating to these activities.

B. TANF Bureau (KHB): The TANF Bureau is headed by the Associate Director for TANF and reports to the Director on issues regarding temporary assistance, self-sufficiency, Native Employment Works (NEW), healthy marriage, and responsible fatherhood. The Associate Director for TANF serves as the principal advisor to the Director on issues regarding TANF and related programs. The Bureau has primary responsibility for the administration of the programs authorized under titles IV-A and XVI of the Social Security Act: (1) Develops legislative, regulatory, and budgetary proposals; (2) presents operational planning objectives and initiatives related to welfare reform to the Director; (3) oversees the progress of approved activities; (4) provides leadership and coordination for welfare reform within ACF; and (5) provides leadership and linkages with other agencies on welfare reform issues, including agencies within DHHS, relevant agencies across the Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations at the Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations at the Federal, State, and local levels.

1. Division of State TANF Policy (KHB1): The Division of State TANF Policy (DSTP): (1) Provides direction and guidance in the nationwide administration of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs, and the Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled program in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, under titles IV-A and XVI of the Social Security Act; (2) ensures compliance with Federal laws and regulations; (3) proposes and reviews legislation and implements national policy, develops regulations to implement new laws and prepares policy interpretations; (4) provides guidance and direction, and analyzes, tracks, and disseminates information on State progress in achieving work participation goals; (5) shapes and facilitates communication between Federal, State, and local entities to coordinate cross-cutting welfare-to-work-related policies; (6) collaborates with the ACF and DHHS components on related programs, such as Head Start and programs related to child welfare; (7) develops State plan procedures and evaluates State TANF plans with internal and external collaboration to identify critical issues contained in the plans and amendments; (8) prepares Congressional materials, testimonies, and speeches; and (9) collaborates with and provides program guidance to the Office of the General Counsel on litigation.

2. Division of State and Territory TANF Management and Technical Assistance (KHB2): The Division of State and Territory TANF Management and Technical Assistance (DSTMTA): (1) Provides technical assistance to States, Territories, localities, community groups, and healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood grantees; (2) assists in the assessment of State and Territorial performance in administering the TANF program and the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled program in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; (3) recommends and promotes improvements in outcomes for clients, and oversees and monitors the healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood grants; (4) develops and implements strategies to assist grantees in implementing and designing programs to meet TANF purposes; (5) develops and delivers technical assistance, focusing on innovative policy and program design approaches, to improve the well-being of children; (6) facilitates closer working relationships with State programs and program officials to help States improve their TANF programs; (7) promotes cross-program policy initiatives to self-sufficiency and family-focused services; (8) collaborates with ACF and DHHS components and other Federal agencies to deliver family-focused services; (9) promotes job development through agreements with other Federal agencies and corporations; (10) identifies best practices and shares information through conferences, publications, and other means; (11) establishes strong working partnerships with States, Tribes, and Territories to help them build management capacity and skills to improve the performance of the TANF programs; (12) compiles, analyzes, evaluates, and disseminates information on implementation and strategies in the TANF program and other related welfare programs in the United States, including information on pertinent statutes, regulations, program instructions, and guidance; (13) serves as a catalyst to connect other relevant national, Federal, State, and local organizations to operate more effectively, and to share resources and information relative to increasing the economic self-sufficiency of low-income families; and (14) is responsible for updating contracted web sites to provide easy access, targeting and focused useful information, and customer-friendly organization and search capabilities.

3. Division of Data Collection and Analysis (KHB3): The Division of Data Collection and Analysis (DDCA): (1) Is responsible for all aspects of the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of statistical and financial data on the TANF program and the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled programs in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin islands; (2) develops regulations to implement data collection requirements; (3) designs, develops, implements, and maintains systems for the collection and analysis of data, including participation rate information, recipient characteristics, financial and administrative data, State expenditures on families, work activities of non-custodial parents, transitional services, and data used in the assessment of State performance; (4) provides leadership and coordinates with other ACF and DHHS offices and external organizations in the use of these data for policy and research purposes; and (5) develops and maintains statistical protocols and manuals for data collection purposes and provides technical assistance in the use of these materials.

4. Division of Tribal TANF Management (KHB4): The Division of Tribal TANF Management (DTTM) is responsible for: (1) Assisting in implementation and coordination of ongoing consultation with Tribal governments and, where appropriate, State and Federal agencies regarding issues relating to the TANF and the NEW program and related legislation; (2) developing regulations and guidelines for Tribal employment programs and for providing leadership, policy direction, technical assistance, and coordination of Tribal services programs; (3) performing inter- and intra-agency liaison functions to promote family stability, economic security, responsibility and self-support for Native Americans; (4) conducting program reviews to ensure compliance with the Social Security Act, regulations, and policy directives; and (5) carrying out activities related to Tribal data collection reporting requirements relating to the programs.

5. TANF Bureau Regional Program Units (KHBDI-X): Each TANF Regional Program Unit is headed by a TANF Regional Program Manager who reports to the Associate Director, TANF, within OFA. The Regional Program Manager, through subordinate regional staff, in collaboration with program components, is responsible for: (1) providing program and technical administration of the TANF block grant; (2) collaborating with the ACF Central Office, States, and other grantees on all significant policy matters; (3) providing technical assistance to entities responsible for administering ACF programs to resolve identified problems; (4) ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5) working with appropriate State, Tribal, 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.

C. Child Care Bureau (KHJ): The Child Care Bureau (CCB) is headed by the Associate Director for CCB who reports to the Director on issues regarding child care and early education programs, including the twin goals of improving support for working families and promoting the healthy development, school readiness, and school success for children in child care. The Associate Director for Child Care serves as the principal advisor to the Director on issues regarding child care programs. The CCB has primary responsibility for: (1) Overseeing the operation of child care programs authorized under the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act and section 418 of the Social Security Act; (2) developing legislative, regulatory, and budgetary proposals; (3) presenting operational planning objectives and initiatives related to child care to the Director, and oversees the progress of approved activities; (4) providing leadership and coordination for child care within ACF and linkages with other agencies on child care issues, including agencies within DHHS, relevant agencies across the Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations at the Federal, State, and local levels; and (5) overseeing the leadership, planning, and management of the Bureau's mission and activities. The data gathering, analysis, and dissemination; preparation of reports; budget projection, planning, execution, and tracking; research development and communication of findings; identification and utilization of new technology in managing CCB's workload and communicating with the Department, Regional Program Units, States, Territories, Tribes, and the child care field; the Immediate Office also supports the unique program and planning needs of Tribal grantees.

1. Division of Technical Assistance (KHJ1): The Division of Technical Assistance (DTA): (1) Provides technical assistance to Regional Program Units, States, Territories, and Tribes concerning the administration of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF); (2) provides strategic leadership, coordination, and grant and contract oversight for technical assistance projects that comprise the Child Care Technical Assistance Network; (3) oversees technical assistance events, such as peer learning roundtables, forums, and conferences; (4) uses publications, multimedia tools, and comprehensive Internet resources to communicate with CCDF grantees, national, State, and local child care organizations, and the general public about the latest developments in the child care field; (5) works closely with State, Tribal and Territorial CCDF Lead Agencies to assess their technical assistance needs and tailor responses that reflect State, Tribal, and Territorial flexibility; (6) supports the ability of grantees to find innovative solutions and uses its contracts, events, and publications to recognize and promote replication of effective practices; (7) supports the use of research in CCDF implementation through links with the Child Care Bureau's Division of Policy and with State agencies; (8) forges partnerships with public and private organizations to improve the ability of child care systems to respond effectively to the needs of low-income working families; and (9) works in partnerships across programs to establish effective, diversified systems of care that meets the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, preschool children, and school age children. Key partners include State early childhood programs, Head Start, and the U.S. Department of Education, which work together to coordinate early childhood programs and create a diversified system that promotes school readiness across all preschool settings.

2. Division of Program Operations (KHJ2): The Division of Program Operations (DPO) is responsible for: (1) Regional liaison activities, including communicating on a regular basis with Regional Program Unit staff, including oversight of the review and approval process for the Biennial CCDF Plans of States, Territories, and Tribes, responding to questions on policy and other issues by consulting or referring to other staff; (2) tracking progress of grantee programs in coordination with the regions; (3) collecting and maintaining information related to grantee program implementation, management and accountability measures, and technical assistance efforts; (4) tracking program achievements, problems, and gaps; (5) identifying latest trends and activities of major significance; (6) preparing background material, fact sheets, and reports to provide information to the Regional Program Unites, grantees, and the general public; (7) tracking and supporting special initiatives; (8) establishing partnerships with public and private entities to improve access to quality child care; (9) coordinating program activities with other government and non-government agencies; and (10) managing and overseeing cooperative ventures with other entities.

3. Division of Policy (KHJ3): The Division of Policy (DP): (1) Develops, interprets, and issues national policies and regulations governing CCDF programs (2) provides clarification of the statutes, regulations, and policies; (3) issues action transmittals and information memoranda; (4) recommends and drafts legislative and budgetary proposals; (5) prepares Congressional reports and briefing materials for hearings and testimony; (6) works with Division of Program Operations to update the Biennial Child Care Plan Preprints; (7) reviews and gives guidance to the Regional Program Units on CCDF plans and applications; (8) researches child care policy issues; (9) coordinates policies and procedures with other Federal agencies; (10) provides policy training, guidance, and clarification to the Regional Program Units in carrying out policy functions; and (11) manages controlled correspondence.

4. Child Care Bureau Regional Program Units (KHJDI-X): Each CCB Regional Program Units is headed by a CCB Regional Program Manager who reports to the Associate Director, CCB within OFA. The Regional Program Manager, through subordinate regional staff, in collaboration with program components, is responsible for: (1) Providing program and technical administration of ACF block and discretionary programs related to CCB; (2) collaborating with the ACF Central Office, States, and other grantees on all significant policy matters; (3) providing technical assistance to entities responsible for administering ACF programs to resolve identified problems; (4) ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5) working with appropriate State, Tribal, 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.

As of May 21, 2007