OPRE Fact Sheet
Mission Statement
The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) is responsible for advising the assistant secretary for children and families on increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of programs to improve the economic and social well-being of children and families.
In collaboration with Administration for Children and Families program offices and others, OPRE is responsible for performance management for ACF, conducts research and policy analyses, and develops and oversees research and evaluation projects to assess program performance and inform policy and practice. The office provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance and oversight to ACF programs on: strategic planning; performance measurement; research and evaluation methods; statistical, policy and program analysis; and synthesis and dissemination of research and demonstration findings.
OPRE includes the Division of Economic Independence, the Division of Child and Family Development, the Division of Family Strengthening, and the Division of Data and Improvement.
Brief Description
Purpose
OPRE studies ACF programs, and the populations they serve, through rigorous research and evaluation projects. These include evaluations of existing programs, evaluations of innovative approaches to helping low-income children and families, research syntheses and descriptive and exploratory studies. OPRE also coordinates performance management for ACF.
How it is Administered
OPRE conducts its work primarily through competitively awarded grants and contracts.
Expected Goals
OPRE aims to build and disseminate knowledge about effective approaches to helping low-income children and families.
Fiscal Year Budgets for 2010, 2011, and 2012
OPRE administers funds that Congress provides through a number of separate authorities. Most of these are linked to specific ACF programs, including Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child care, Health Professions Opportunity Grants, the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (jointly administered with Health Resources and Services Administration), pregnancy prevention and child welfare programs. OPRE was responsible for $107 million in grants and contracts in fiscal year 2012, fiscal year 2011, and fiscal year 2010.
General information
Director/Commissioner:
Naomi Goldstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Physical Address:
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation
330 C Street SW
4th Floor
Washington, DC 20201
Main Phone Number
(202) 401-9220
Fax Number
(202) 205-3598
Website Link
www.acf.hhs.gov/opre