[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49243-49244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24989]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Regional Offices of the Administration for Children and Families; 
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part K of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 
as follows: Chapter KD, The Regional Offices of the Administration for 
Children and Families (62 FR 31610), as last amended, June 10, 1997. 
This Notice reflects the realignment of functions in Region 5. This 
Chapter is amended as follows:
    After the end of KD4.20 Functions (62 FR 15897, 04/03/97), 
Paragraph D, and before KD6.10 Organization (60 FR 27315, 05/23/95), 
insert the following:
    KD5.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region 5, is organized as follows: Office of the Regional Hub Director 
(KD5A), Office of Self-Sufficiency Programs (KD5C), Office of Community 
Programs (KD5D),
    KD5.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Regional Hub Director is 
headed by a Director, who reports to the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families through the Director, Office of Regional 
Operations. In addition, the Office of the Regional Hub Director has a 
Deputy Regional Administrator. The Office is responsible for the 
Administration for Children and Families' key national goals and 
priorities. It represents ACF's regional interests, concerns, and 
relationships within the Department and among other Federal agencies 
and focuses on State agency culture change, more effective 
partnerships, and improved customer service. The Office provides 
executive leadership and direction to state, county, city, and tribal 
governments, as well as public and private local grantees to ensure 
effective and efficient program and financial management. It ensures 
that these entities conform to federal laws, regulations, policies and 
procedures governing the programs, and exercises all delegated 
authorities and responsibilities for oversight of the programs.
    The Office takes action to approve state plans and submits its 
recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families 
concerning state plan disapproval. The

[[Page 49244]]

Office contributes to the development of national policy based on 
regional perspectives for all ACF programs. It oversees ACF operations 
and the management of ACF regional staff; coordinates activities across 
regional programs; and assures that goals and objectives are carried 
out. The Office alerts the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families to problems and issues that may have significant regional or 
national impact. It represents ACF at the regional level in executive 
communications within ACF, with the HHS Regional Director, other HHS 
operating divisions, other federal agencies, and public or private 
local organizations representing children and families.
    Within the Office of the Regional Hub Director, an administrative 
staff assists the Regional Hub Director. The staff directs the 
development of regional work plans related to the overall ACF strategic 
plan; tracks, monitors and reports on regional progress in the 
attainment of ACF national goals and objectives; and manages special 
and sensitive projects. It serves as the focal point for public affairs 
and contacts with the media, public awareness activities, information 
dissemination and education campaigns in accordance with the ACF Office 
of Public Affairs and in conjunction with the HHS Regional Director; 
and assists the Regional Hub Director in the management of cross-
cutting initiatives and activities among the regional components.
    The Office provides day-to-day support for regional administrative 
functions, oversees the management and coordination of automated 
systems in the region, and provides data management support to all 
Regional Office components. Administrative functions include budget 
planning and execution, facility management, employee relations, and 
human resources development. Data management responsibilities include 
the development of automated systems application to support and enhance 
program, fiscal, and administrative operation, and the compilation and 
analysis of data on demographic and service trends that assist in 
monitoring and oversight responsibilities.
    The Office is responsible for the effective and efficient 
management of internal ACF automation process. Staff performs an 
independent grants management function to support the grants processing 
in the office.
    B. The Office of Self-Sufficiency Programs is headed by an 
Assistant Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Hub 
Director and consists of Child Support Enforcement Branch; Child 
Welfare Branch; and Family Independence/Child Care Branch.
    The Office is responsible for providing centralized program, 
financial management and technical administration of certain ACF 
formula, entitlement, discretionary and block grant programs, such as 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Support Enforcement, 
Child Care and Development Fund, Child Welfare Services, Family 
Preservation and Support, Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, and 
Child Abuse and Neglect and for oversight of state systems projects for 
ACF programs. In coordination with other Regional Office components, it 
monitors state systems projects and is the focal point for technical 
assistance to states and grantees on the development and enhancement of 
automated systems.
    In that regard the Office provides policy guidance to states to 
assure consistent and uniform adherence to federal requirements 
governing formula and entitlement programs. The Office reviews cost 
estimates and reports from ACF entitlement and formula grant programs, 
and recommends funding levels.
    A Financial/Grants Management Officer is located in each Branch of 
the Office of Self-Sufficiency Programs to provide expertise in 
business and other non-programmatic areas of grants administration and 
to help ensure that grantees fulfill requirements of law, regulations 
and administrative policies.
    The Office establishes regional financial management priorities; 
reviews cost allocation plans, and makes recommendations to the 
Regional Hub Director to approve, defer or disallow claims for federal 
financial participation in ACF formula and entitlement programs. As 
applicable, it makes recommendations on the clearance and closure of 
audits of state and grantee programs, paying particular attention to 
deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF 
programs and taking steps to resolve such deficiencies.
    The Office represents the Regional Hub Director in dealing with ACF 
central office, states and grantees on all program and financial 
management policy matters for programs under its jurisdiction. It 
alerts the Regional Hub Director to problems or issues that have 
significant implications for the programs.
    C. The Office of Community Programs is headed by an Assistant 
Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Hub Director and 
consists of three Head Start and Youth Branches.
    The Office is responsible for providing centralized program, 
financial management and technical administration of certain ACF 
discretionary programs, such as Head Start and Runaway and Homeless 
Youth, as well as the Developmental Disabilities program.
    A Financial/Grants Management Officer is located in each Branch of 
the Office of Community Programs to provide expertise in business and 
other non-programmatic areas of grants administration and to help 
ensure that grantees fulfill requirements of law, regulations and 
administrative policies.
    The Office establishes regional financial management priorities; 
reviews cost allocation plans, and makes recommendations to the 
Regional Hub Director to approve or disallow costs under ACF 
discretionary grant programs. The Office issues certain discretionary 
grant awards based on a review of project objectives, budget 
projections and proposed funding levels. As applicable, it makes 
recommendations on the clearance and closure of audits of state and 
grantee programs, paying particular attention to deficiencies that 
decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF programs and taking 
steps to resolve such deficiencies.
    The Office represents the Regional Hub Director in dealing with ACF 
central office, states and grantees on all program and financial 
management policy matters for programs under its jurisdiction. It 
alerts the Regional Hub Director to problems or issues that have 
significant implications for the programs.

    Dated: September 12, 1997.
Olivia A. Golden,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 97-24989 Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P