[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65291-65303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28915]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority for Regional Offices

    This Notice amends Part K of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as 
follows: Chapter KD, the Regional Offices of the Administration for 
Children and Families for: Region I, as last amended (61 FR 50029-30) 
September 24, 1996; Region II, as last amended (61 FR 18147-49) April 
24, 1996, and (60 FR 21211-12) May 1, 1995; Region III, as last amended 
(61 FR 68045) April 26, 1996; Region IV, as last amended (62 FR 15897-
99) April 3, 1997; Region V, as last amended (65 FR 8173-74) February 
17, 2000; Region VI, as last amended (61 FR 18147-49) April 24, 1996, 
and (60 FR 27315-16) May 23, 1995; Region VII, as last amended (61 FR 
3937-38) February 2, 1996; Region VIII, as last amended (61 FR 52565-
66) October 8, 1997; Region IX, as last amended (62 FR 31610-11) June 
10, 1997; and Region X, as last amended (61 FR 68045-47) December 26, 
1996.
    This Notice reflects the elimination of the five-region ``Hub'' 
structure and the re-establishment of a ten-region organizational 
structure.
    Each Regional Office is headed by a Regional Administrator who 
serves as the principal senior official for the Administration for 
Children and Families (ACF) in providing executive leadership, 
direction and coordination of ACF programs, goals and priorities in the 
ten Regional Offices.

I. Chapter KD Is Amended as Follows

    A. Delete KD.00 Mission in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD.00 Mission. The Regional Offices of the Administration for 
Children and Families (ACF) operate with ten Regional Offices and are 
located as follows: Region I Boston, MA; Region II New York, NY; Region 
III Philadelphia, PA; Region IV Atlanta, GA; Region V Chicago, IL; 
Region VI Dallas, TX; Region VII Kansas City, MO; Region VIII Denver, 
CO; Region IX San Francisco, CA; and Region X Seattle, WA.
    Each Regional Office in its respective region represents ACF to 
state, county, city or town, territories, and tribal governments, 
grantees, and public and private local organizations in the 
administration of programs that assist vulnerable and dependent 
children and families in achieving independence, stability, and self-
reliance. These programs include: Child Support Enforcement (CSE), 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Foster Care and 
Adoption Assistance, Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Welfare, Child 
Care and Development Fund, Child Abuse and Neglect, Runaway and 
Homeless Youth, and Developmental Disabilities.
    The ACF Regional Offices oversee the programmatic and financial 
management and coordination of the ACF programs in the regions and 
provide guidance and assistance to the various entities responsible for 
administering these programs. They monitor the programs to ensure 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and adherence to 
program and fiscal policies and procedures. They contribute to the 
development of ACF national policy based on knowledge of implementation 
and services in the region. The ACF Regional Offices review and approve 
state plans and, if warranted, submit recommendations to the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families for state plan disapproval. They 
issue grant awards directly for certain programs, and make 
recommendations to approve and/or disapprove grant awards for other 
programs. They advise the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families 
of problems and issues that may have significant regional or national 
impact. The ACF Regional Offices act as liaison with the entities 
responsible for administering the programs, other Federal agencies, and 
public and private local organizations serving children and families. 
They develop plans to meet ACF goals and objectives and HHS 
initiatives. They participate in regional activities to inform the 
public about ACF programs in coordination with the ACF Office of Public 
Affairs and the Office of the Secretary at the regional level.

II. Region I, Boston Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD1.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD1.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region I, Boston Office has a goal-driven structure and is organized as 
follows:
Office of the Regional Administrator (KD1A)
Goal1--Family Self Sufficiency
Goal2--Healthy Children, Families and Communities
Goal3--Financial Management
    B. Delete KD1.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD1.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. In 
addition, the Office of the Regional Administrator has a Deputy 
Regional Administrator. The Office provides executive leadership to 
state, county, city, territorial and tribal governments, as well as 
public and private local grantees to ensure effective, efficient, 
results-oriented program and financial management. In addition, the 
Regional Administrator is responsible for alerting the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families through the Director, Office of 
Regional Operations to issues that may have significant regional and/or 
national impact. ACF's primary goal is to assist vulnerable and 
dependent children and families to achieve economic independence, 
stability and self-reliance. The Office is responsible for providing 
centralized management and technical administration of ACF formula, 
block, entitlement and discretionary grant programs which are designed 
to assist families achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency, 
and to ensure that children have safe, healthy and permanent 
environments in which to grow. It oversees ACF operations and the 
management of ACF regional staff, coordinates activities across 
regional programs; and assures that goals and objectives are met and 
departmental and agency initiatives are carried out.
    In order to ensure that agency goals are accomplished, the Office 
of the Regional Administrator provides leadership to grantees through a 
staff organized around and focused on ACF goals and priorities. ACF 
programs and functions are grouped within offices according to ACF 
goals and priorities. Each group reports to a goal leader charged with 
achieving measurable progress towards ACF goals and priorities, through 
its work with state and local grantees, the public, other Federal 
agencies and internally within the Department. The Regional goal 
structure is designed to allow ACF to respond quickly in a dynamic and 
changing environment to emphasize,

[[Page 65292]]

focus on and achieve ACF and HHS goals and priorities.
    The Office takes action to approve certain state plans and submits 
recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families 
concerning state plan disapproval. The Office contributes to the 
development of national policy based on regional perspectives on all 
ACF programs.
    The Office provides policy guidance to state, county, city or town 
and tribal governments and public and private organizations to assure 
consistent and uniform adherence to federal requirements governing ACF 
programs. The Office provides technical assistance to entities 
responsible for administering ACF programs to resolve identified 
problems, ensures that appropriate procedures and practices are 
adopted, works with appropriate state and local officials to develop 
and implement outcome-based performance measures and monitors the 
programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness. 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 also reviews cost estimates and reports for ACF grant programs 
and recommends funding levels. The Office performs systematic fiscal 
reviews and makes recommendations to the Regional Administrator to 
approve or disallow costs under ACF grant programs and to approve, 
defer or disallow claims for federal financial participation in ACF 
formula and entitlement grant programs. As applicable, recommendations 
are made on the clearance and closure of audits of state and local 
grantee programs, paying particular attention to financial management 
deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of the ACF 
programs and taking steps to monitor the resolution of such 
deficiencies. The Office issues certain grant awards based on a review 
of project objectives, budget projections, and proposed funding levels. 
The Office establishes regional financial management priorities and 
reviews cost allocation plans, and assists in the review of office 
automation systems in the region and state systems projects for ACF 
programs.
    The Office provides leadership in forming results-oriented, 
customer-focused partnerships with administrators of ACF programs. The 
Office is also responsible for providing administration and management 
support for the Regional Office. The Office is responsible for day-to-
day operational management of regional administrative functions, 
including budget, performance management, procurement, property 
management, employee relations, human resource development activities 
and communications.
    The Office 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.

III. Region II, New York Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD2.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD2.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region II, New York Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD2A)
Office of Management and Data Services (KD2B)
Office of State and Youth Programs (KD2C)
Office of Early Childhood Programs (KD2D)

    B. Delete KD2.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD2.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. 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, 
territorial 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 certain state plans 
and submits its recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children 
and Families concerning state plan disapproval. The 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 Administrator, an administrative 
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 Administrator 
in the management of cross-cutting initiatives and activities among the 
regional components.
    C. Delete KD2.20 Functions, Paragraph B in its entirety and replace 
with the following:
    B. The Office of Management and Data Services is headed by an 
Assistant Regional Administrator for Operations who reports to the 
Regional Administrator. The Office provides day-to-day support for 
regional administrative and grants management functions, and provides 
data management and statistical analysis support to all Regional Office 
components. Administrative functions include budget planning and 
execution, facility management, employee relations, and human resources 
development. The Assistant Regional Administrator, acting in the 
capacity of Financial/Grants Management Officer, and staff provide 
expertise in business and other non-programmatic areas of grants 
administration and help ensure that grantees fulfill requirements of 
laws, regulations, and administrative policies. The Office establishes 
regional financial management priorities; reviews cost allocation 
plans; and makes recommendations to the Regional Administrator to (1) 
approve, defer or disallow claims for federal financial participation 
in ACF formula and entitlement programs and (2) approve or disallow 
costs under ACF discretionary

[[Page 65293]]

grant 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 Administrator on administrative 
and grants management matters with ACF central office, states, 
contractors and grantees. It alerts the Regional Administrator to 
problems or issues that have significant implications for functional 
areas under its jurisdiction.
    D. Delete KD2.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Office of State and Youth Programs is headed by an Assistant 
Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator and 
consists of: Child Support Enforcement Division; Self-Sufficiency 
Programs Division; and Youth and Family Services Division.
    The Office is responsible for providing centralized program, 
financial management and technical administration of certain ACF 
formula, entitlement, block and discretionary programs, such as 
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development 
Fund, Child Support Enforcement, Child Welfare Services, Family 
Preservation and Support, Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, Child 
Abuse and Neglect, and Runaway and Homeless Youth.
    The Office represents the Regional Administrator 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 Administrator to problems or issues that have 
significant implications for the programs.
    E. Delete KD2.20 Functions, Paragraph D, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    D. The Office of Early Childhood Programs is headed by an Assistant 
Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator and 
consists of: New Jersey and Caribbean Division; and New York State 
Division.
    The Office is responsible for providing a centralized program, 
financial management and technical administration of certain ACF 
formula, entitlement, and discretionary programs, such as Head Start 
and Early Head Start Programs, and Developmental Disabilities.
    The Office represents the Regional Administrator 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 Administrator to problems or issues that have 
significant implications for the programs.

IV. Region III, Philadelphia Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD3.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD3.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region III, Philadelphia Office, is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD3A)
Office of Program and Administrative Support (KD3B)
Office of Family Services (KD3C)
Office of Child Development and Developmental Disabilities (KD3D)

    B. Delete KD3.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD3.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. The 
Office provides executive leadership and directives to state, county, 
city, territorial 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, through its Grants Officer, establishes regional 
financial management priorities. The Office provides cost allocation 
and financial support to the Office of Family Services and the Office 
of Child Development and Developmental Disabilities. The Office takes 
action to approve certain state plans and submits recommendations to 
the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families concerning state plan 
disapproval, where applicable. The Office contributes to the 
development of national policy based on regional perspectives on 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 met and departmental and agency 
initiatives 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. The Office provides executive 
representation for ACF in regional external communications and serves 
as ACF liaison with the HHS Regional Director, other HHS operating 
divisions, other federal agencies, and public or private local 
organizations representing children and families.
    C. Delete KD3.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Office of Program and Administrative Support is headed by an 
Assistant Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional 
Administrator. The Office assists the Regional Administrator in 
providing day-to-day support for regional administrative functions, 
including budget, performance management, procurement, property 
management, financial management, external and internal systems, 
statistical analyses, employee relations and human resource development 
activities.
    The Office oversees the management and coordination of automated 
systems in the region, and provides data management and statistical 
analysis support to all Regional Office components. Data management 
responsibilities include the development of automated system 
applications to support and enhance program, fiscal, administrative and 
quality control operations, and the compilation and analysis of data on 
demographic and service trends that assist in monitoring and oversight 
responsibilities. Statistical analysis functions include the review of 
state and federal sampling procedures. The Office is also responsible 
for the development and maintenance of internal software applications 
to support the operation of the region's other components and provides 
backup to the OIS on-site Systems Administrator. The Office represents 
the Regional Administrator on administrative matters and on internal 
and state systems matters with ACF central office, states, contractors 
and grantees. It alerts the Regional Administrator to problems or 
issues that have significant implications for functional areas under 
its jurisdiction.
    D. Delete KD3.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Office of Family Services is headed by an Assistant Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator.
    The Office is responsible for providing centralized management, 
financial management services, and technical administration of ACF 
formula, block and entitlement programs such as TANF (Temporary 
Assistance to Needy Families), Child

[[Page 65294]]

Care, Child Support Enforcement (CSE), Foster Care and Adoption 
Assistance, Child Welfare, Child Abuse and Neglect and the 
discretionary Runaway and Homeless Youth Program.
    The Office provides policy guidance to state, county, city or town 
and tribal governments and public and private organizations to assure 
consistent and uniform adherence to federal requirements governing 
formula and entitlement programs. State plans are reviewed and 
recommendations concerning state plan approval or disapproval are made 
to the Regional Administrator. The Office provides technical assistance 
to entities responsible for administering these programs to resolve 
identified problems, ensures that appropriate procedures and practices 
are adopted, monitors the programs to ensure their efficiency and 
effectiveness, establishes regional financial management priorities and 
reviews cost allocation plans, and monitors state systems projects for 
the CSE, TANF, Child Care, and Child Welfare programs. The Office 
provides financial management services for ACF formula and entitlement 
grants in the region as well as for the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Program, which is a discretionary grant. The Office issues 
discretionary grant awards based on a review of project objectives, 
budget projections, and proposed funding levels. The Office also 
reviews cost estimates and reports for ACF entitlement and formula 
grant programs and recommends funding levels. The Office performs 
systematic fiscal reviews and makes recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator to approve, defer or disallow claims for federal 
financial participation in ACF formula and entitlement grant programs. 
As applicable, recommendations are made on the clearance and closure of 
audits, paying particular attention to financial management 
deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of the ACF 
programs and taking steps to monitor the resolution of such 
deficiencies. The Office represents the Regional Administrator in 
dealing with the ACF program offices on all program and financial 
policy matters under its jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are 
provided to the Regional Administrator regarding problems or issues 
that may have significant implications for the programs.
    E. Delete KD3.20 Functions, Paragraph D, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    D. The Office of Child Development and Developmental Disabilities 
is headed by an Assistant Regional Administrator who reports to the 
Regional Administrator. The Office is responsible for providing 
centralized management, financial management services, and technical 
administration of ACF grant programs such as Head Start, Early Head 
Start, and Developmental Disabilities programs.
    In that regard, the Office provides policy guidance to state, 
county, city or town and tribal governments and public and private 
organizations to assure consistent and uniform adherence to federal 
requirements. The Office provides technical assistance to entities 
responsible for administering these programs to ensure that appropriate 
procedures and practices are adopted, and monitors the programs to 
ensure their efficiency and effectiveness. The Office performs 
systematic fiscal reviews; makes recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator to approve or disallow costs under ACF discretionary 
grant programs; and makes recommendations to the Regional Administrator 
concerning state plan approval or disapproval, as applicable. The 
Office issues discretionary grant awards based on a review of project 
objectives, budget projections, and proposed funding levels. As 
applicable, recommendations are made on the clearance and closure of 
audits of grantee programs, paying particular attention to financial 
management deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness 
of the ACF programs and taking steps to monitor the resolution of such 
deficiencies.
    The Office represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with 
ACF program offices on all program policy and financial matters under 
its jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are provided to the Regional 
Administrator regarding problems or issues that may have significant 
implications on the programs.

V. Region IV, Atlanta Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD4.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD 4.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region IV, Atlanta Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD4A)
Office of the Deputy Regional Administrator (KD4B)
Division of Community Programs (KD4B1)
Division of State Programs (KD4B2)

    B. Delete KD4.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD4.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. The 
Office is responsible for administration and oversight of the 
Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) programs and 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 and results-
oriented performance measurement. 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 certain state plans and submits 
recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families 
concerning state plan disapproval, where applicable. The Office 
contributes to the development of national policy based on regional 
perspectives on all ACF programs. It oversees ACF operations and the 
management of ACF regional staff; coordinates activities across 
regional programs; and assures that ACF goals are met and departmental 
and agency initiatives 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. The Office provides 
executive representation for ACF in regional external communications, 
and serves as ACF liaison 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 Administrator are a Special 
Initiatives Staff and an Administrative Staff. The Special Initiatives 
staff is responsible for providing leadership, direction, coordination 
and implementation of Administration, HHS, and ACF priorities and 
initiatives in the Region. The staff assists the Regional Administrator 
in the promotion and establishment of collaborative partnerships of the 
priorities and initiatives in every program area. Additionally, it 
serves as focal point for media inquiries and public affairs

[[Page 65295]]

activities and liaison with the Office of Community Services relative 
to the development of partnerships and collaborations around the 
Community Services/Action Agencies activities. The Administrative staff 
manages the regional administrative functions, budget planning and 
execution process, human resource and staff development activities, and 
technology.
    C. Delete KD4.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Office of the Deputy Regional Administrator consists of the 
Deputy and the Grants Officers. The Deputy Regional Administrator 
serves as the full deputy or ``alter ego'' to the Regional 
Administrator, Administration for Children and Families. The Deputy 
assists the Regional Administrator with responsibility for providing 
executive direction, leadership and coordination to all ACF programs, 
financial operations and related activities in the Region. The Deputy 
has primary responsibility for overseeing day-to-day program 
operations. In the absence of the Regional Administrator, the Deputy 
Regional Administrator acts on all matters within the jurisdiction of 
the Regional Administrator, with full authority.
    The Grants Officers, functioning independently of all program 
offices, provide program staff with expertise in the technical and 
other non-programmatic areas of grants administration, and provide 
appropriate internal control and checks and balances to ensure 
financial integrity in all phases of the grants process.
    D. Delete KD4.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Division of Community Programs is headed by a Director who 
reports to the Deputy Regional Administrator. The Division consists of 
three branches with responsibility for ACF oversight and technical 
administration of the Head Start and discretionary grants funded 
directly from ACF to community-based grantees in the eight states. The 
Division provides policy guidance to county, city, town or tribal 
governments and public and private organizations to assure consistent 
compliance with federal requirements and the adoption of appropriate 
policies and procedures. The Division performs systematic on-site 
reviews of grantees to determine compliance with applicable federal 
requirements, requiring correction of identified deficiencies and, 
where necessary, adverse actions including defunding of dysfunctional 
grantees. The Division performs systematic fiscal reviews, makes 
recommendations to the Deputy Regional Administrator and Regional 
Administrator to approve or disallow costs under the ACF discretionary 
grant regulations, and makes recommendations regarding grant approval 
and disapproval. The Division issues discretionary grant awards based 
on a review of project objectives, budget projections, and proposed 
funding levels. The Division makes recommendations on the clearance and 
closure of grantee audits, paying particular attention to financial 
management deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness 
of program service delivery to customers, and taking steps to monitor 
the resolution of such deficiencies. The Division oversees the 
management and coordination of the Head Start automation systems such 
as the Grant Application and Budget Instrument (GABI) for budget 
analysis on Head Start refunding applications, and to monitor grantee 
systems projects such as the Head Start Program Information Report 
(PIR) and the Head Start Management Tracking System. The Division 
represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with grantees on all 
matters of program policy and financial matters under its jurisdiction, 
providing early warnings on problems or issues that may have 
significant implications for ACF programs operated by local grantees.
    E. Delete KD4.20 Functions, Paragraph D, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    D. The Division of State Programs is headed by a Director who 
reports to the Deputy Regional Administrator. The Division consists of 
three branches responsible for providing centralized management, 
financial management services, and technical administration of ACF 
formula, block and entitlement programs including Temporary Assistance 
for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care, Child Support Enforcement, 
Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, Child Welfare, Family Preservation 
and Support Services, Child Abuse and Neglect and Developmental 
Disabilities.
    The Division provides policy guidance to state, county, city, town 
or tribal governments and public and private organizations to assure 
consistent and uniform adherence to federal requirements governing ACF 
grants. State plans are reviewed and recommendations made to the 
Regional Administrator concerning state plan approvals or disapprovals. 
The Division provides technical assistance to entities responsible for 
administering ACF grants, resolving identified problems and ensuring 
adoption of appropriate procedures and practices that promote policy 
compliance and program efficiency and effectiveness. The Division 
provides financial management oversight for ACF grants under its 
jurisdiction; reviews cost allocation plans, program objectives, budget 
projections, cost estimates, and reports. The Division performs 
systematic fiscal reviews and makes recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator to approve, defer, or disallow claims for financial 
participation in ACF grants. As applicable, the Division makes 
recommendations regarding the clearance and closure of audits, paying 
particular attention to financial management deficiencies that decrease 
the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF programs and closely monitors 
the resolution of such deficiencies.
    The Division represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with 
entities receiving ACF funding on all matters under its jurisdiction, 
and in providing early warnings of problems or issues that may have 
significant implications for ACF programs. Additionally, the Division 
provides oversight of state systems projects for ACF programs and is 
focal point for technical assistance to states on the development and 
enhancement of automated systems.

VI. Region V, Chicago Regional Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD5.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD5.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region V, Chicago Office, is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD5A)
Office of Family Self-Sufficiency Programs (KD5C)
Office of Family and Child Development Programs (KD5D)

    B. Delete KD5.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD5.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. In 
addition, the Office of the Regional Administrator 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, collaborative relationships

[[Page 65296]]

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 certain state plans and submits its recommendations to the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families concerning state plan 
disapproval. The 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 and coordinates 
the regional continuity of operations plan (COOP) in conjunction with 
the Regional Director, Regional Health Administrator and GSA. Also, the 
Office coordinates activities across regional programs; coordinates 
regional initiatives and operations; 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. The Deputy Regional Administrator serves as the 
full deputy or ``alter ego'' to the Regional Administrator, 
Administration for Children and Families. The Deputy assists the 
Regional Administrator with responsibility for providing executive 
direction, leadership and coordination to all ACF programs, financial 
operations and related activities in the Region. The Deputy has primary 
responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations. In the absence 
of the Regional Administrator, the Deputy acts on all matters within 
the jurisdiction of the Regional Administrator with full authority. 
Within the Office of the Regional Administrator, are the Management and 
Administration, and Fiscal Integrity Teams along with the Grants 
Officer. The Deputy supervises and directs the activities of these 
teams, focusing on regional administrative functions, including budget 
planning and execution, procurement, facility and property management, 
financial management, employee relations, human resources development, 
performance management, media inquiries and public affairs activities.
    1. The Management and Administration Team directs and facilitates 
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 coordinates 
and manages special and sensitive projects. Additionally it manages 
administrative functions, budget planning and execution and human 
resource development. It serves as the focal point for public affairs, 
in accordance with the ACF Office of Public Affairs and in conjunction 
with the HHS Regional Director; and assists the Regional Administrator 
in the management of cross-cutting initiatives and activities among 
regional components.
    2. The Fiscal Integrity Team is responsible for providing 
centralized financial management and technical administration of 
certain ACF formula, discretionary, entitlement and block grant 
programs. These programs include Temporary Assistance to Needy 
Families, Child Support, Child Welfare Services, Foster Care and 
Adoption Assistance, Child Abuse and Neglect, Developmental 
Disabilities and Runaway and Homeless Youth. It provides expert grants 
management technical support to the Office of Family Self-Sufficiency 
and the Office of Family and Child Development to resolve complex 
problems in such areas as cost allocation, accounting principles, 
audit, deferrals and disallowances. It provides data management support 
to all Regional Office components.
    3. The Grants Officer, functioning independently of all program 
offices, provides program staff with expertise in the technical and 
other non-programmatic areas of grants administration, and provides 
appropriate internal controls and checks and balances to ensure 
financial discretionary grants integrity in all phases of the grants 
process. The Grants Officer, in conjunction with the Fiscal Integrity 
Team, provides guidance to program offices on more complex financial 
management issues. The Grants Officer approves and signs all 
discretionary grants.
    C. Delete KD5.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Office of Family Self-Sufficiency Programs is headed by a 
Director who reports to the Deputy Regional Administrator. The Office 
of Family Self-Sufficiency represents the Regional Administrator in 
dealing with ACF central office, states and grantees on all program and 
financial management policy matters for programs under its 
jurisdiction. It provides guidance and direction to States and grantees 
to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF programs. It alerts 
the Deputy Regional Administrator to problems or issues that have 
significant implications for the programs. The Office consists of two 
branches operating collaboratively within a Tri-State team environment 
to administer Child Support Enforcement, Child Welfare Services, Foster 
Care and Adoption Assistance, Child Abuse and Neglect, Temporary 
Assistance to Needy Families and Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs 
for assigned states. The two branches provide policy guidance to states 
to assure consistent and uniform adherence to federal requirements 
governing formula, entitlement, block and discretionary grant programs. 
The two Branches are the Illinois, Indiana, Michigan Branch and the 
Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin Branch. The Office also consists of the 
Program Integration and Collaboration Team. The Program Integration and 
Collaboration Team provides administrative support, training, and 
facilitation of cross-cutting program initiatives and projects.
    D. Delete KD5.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Office of Family and Child Development is headed by a 
Director who reports to the Deputy Regional Administrator. The Office 
is responsible for providing centralized program, financial management 
and technical administration of certain ACF discretionary, formula and 
block grant programs, such as Head Start, Early Head Start, 
Developmental Disabilities and the Child Care and Development Fund. The 
Office of Family and Child Development represents the Regional 
Administrator 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 Deputy Regional Administrator to 
problems or issues that have significant implications for the programs.
    The Office consists of three branches operating collaboratively 
within a Bi-State team environment to administer Head Start, Early Head 
Start and Child Care programs and a Program Integration and 
Collaboration Team. The Program Integration and Collaboration Team 
provides administrative support, training and facilitation of cross-
cutting program initiatives and projects in addition to administering 
the

[[Page 65297]]

Developmental Disabilities Program. The Head Start and Child Care 
branches provide guidance to states and grantees to assure consistent 
and uniform adherence to federal requirements governing discretionary 
and block grant programs. It provides guidance and direction to States 
and grantees to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF 
programs. A Financial Management Officer is located in each branch of 
the Office of Family and Child Development 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 Administrator to disallow costs under 
ACF discretionary, formula and block grant programs. The Office issues 
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.

VII. Region VI, Dallas Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD6.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD6.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region VI, Dallas Office, is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD6A)
Office of State and Tribal Programs (KD6E)
Office of Community Programs (KD6F)

    B. Delete KD6.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD6.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. In 
addition, the Office of the Regional Administrator has a Deputy 
Regional Administrator and an Associate 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, collaborative relationships for outcomes/
results, and improved, quality customer service. The Office provides 
executive leadership and direction to state, county, city, territorial 
and tribal governments, as well as to other public and private local 
grantees to ensure effective and efficient program and financial 
management. The Office 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 certain state and tribal plans, 
and submits its recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children 
and Families concerning state plan disapproval. The 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; 
coordinates regional initiatives and operations; 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.
    The Deputy Regional Administrator serves as the full deputy or 
``alter ego'' to the Regional Administrator, Administration for 
Children and Families. The Deputy assists the Regional Administrator 
with responsibility for providing executive direction, leadership and 
coordination to all ACF programs, financial operations and related 
activities in the Region. The Deputy has primary responsibility for 
managing the day-to-day operations. In the absence of the Regional 
Administrator, the Deputy acts on all matters within the jurisdiction 
of the Regional Administrator with full authority.
    Within the Office of the Regional Administrator are the Grants 
Officer, Grants Advisor, the Financial Management Resource Team, and 
Special Initiatives operations which are under the supervision and 
direction of the Deputy. The Grants Officer and Grants Advisor, 
functioning independently of all program offices, provide program staff 
with expertise in the business and other non-programmatic areas of 
grant award and administration, and provide appropriate internal 
controls and checks and balances to ensure financial integrity in all 
phases of the grants process. The Grants Officer, who serves as the 
team leader of the Financial Management Resource Team, and the Grants 
Advisor provide guidance to program offices on more complex financial 
management issues. The Grants Officer approves and signs all 
discretionary grants. The Grants Advisor has the full delegated grant 
authority and serves in that capacity in the absence of the Grants 
Officer.
    The Financial Management Resource Team is responsible for providing 
centralized financial management and technical administration of 
certain ACF discretionary, entitlement, and block grant programs. These 
programs include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Care 
Programs, Child Support Enforcement, Child Welfare Services, Foster 
Care and Adoption Assistance, Child Abuse and Neglect, Developmental 
Disabilities, Head Start, Early Head Start and Runaway and Homeless 
Youth. It is responsible for ensuring that, for grants under their 
cognizance, both federal staff and grantees fulfill applicable 
statutory, regulatory, and administrative policy requirements. It 
provides expert grants management technical support to the Office of 
State and Tribal Programs and Office of Community Programs to resolve 
complex problems in such areas as cost allocation, accounting 
principles, audit, deferrals and disallowances.
    The Associate Regional Administrator shares in the responsibility 
for executive direction, leadership and coordination to all ACF 
programs, financial operations and related activities in the Region. 
The Associate Regional Administrator has primary responsibility for 
regional administrative operations and management of the region's 
technology programs and operations. The Associate Regional 
Administrator supervises administrative staff, assisting the Regional 
Administrator in providing day-to-day support for regional 
administrative functions, including coordination of 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; coordinates and manages special and 
sensitive projects; budget planning and execution, facilities 
management programs and human resource development; focal point for 
public

[[Page 65298]]

affairs, in accordance with the ACF Office of Public Affairs and in 
conjunction with the HHS Regional Director; manages cross-cutting 
initiatives and activities among the Regional components; and provides 
telecommunications and data management support to all Regional office 
components, including the development of automated applications to 
support and enhance program, fiscal and administrative operations.
    C. Delete KD6.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Office of State and Tribal Programs is headed by a Director 
who reports to the Regional Administrator. The Office is responsible 
for providing centralized management, financial management services, 
and technical administration of certain ACF formula, block and 
entitlement programs such as Child Support Enforcement (CSE), Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Programs, Child 
Welfare Services, Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, Child Abuse and 
Neglect, Developmental Disabilities and Tribal Programs. The Office 
provides policy guidance to state, county, city or town and tribal 
governments, grantees and public and private organizations to assure 
consistent and uniform adherence to federal requirements governing 
formula and entitlement programs. It provides guidance and direction to 
states, local and tribal governments and grantees to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of ACF programs. State plans, Tribal plans 
and Tribal construction plans are reviewed and recommendations 
concerning state plan approval or disapproval are made to the Regional 
Administrator. The Office provides technical assistance to entities 
responsible for administering these programs to resolve identified 
problems, ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are 
adopted, monitoring the programs to ensure their efficiency and 
effectiveness and establishing regional financial management priorities 
and reviewing cost allocation plans. The Office provides financial 
management services for ACF entitlement grants in the region. It also 
reviews costs estimates and reports for ACF entitlement grant programs 
and recommends funding levels. The Office performs systematic fiscal 
reviews and makes recommendations to the Regional Administrator to 
approve, defer or disallow claims for federal financial participation 
in ACF entitlement grant programs. As applicable, recommendations are 
made on the clearance and closure of audits of state programs, paying 
particular attention to financial management deficiencies that decrease 
the efficiency and effectiveness of the ACF programs and taking steps 
to monitor the resolution of such deficiencies. The Office represents 
the Regional Administrator in dealing with ACF program offices on all 
program policy and financial matters for programs under its 
jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are provided to the Regional 
Administrator regarding problems or issues that have significant 
implications for the programs.
    D. Delete KD6.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Office of Community Programs is headed by a Director who 
reports to the Regional Administrator. The Office is responsible for 
providing centralized program, financial management and technical 
administration of ACF discretionary grant programs such as Head Start, 
Early Head Start, and Runaway and Homeless Youth programs. The Office 
provides policy guidance to state, county, city or town and tribal 
governments and public and private organizations to assure consistent 
and uniform adherence to federal requirements. The Office provides 
technical assistance to entities responsible for administering these 
programs to ensure that the appropriate procedures and practices are 
adopted, and monitoring the programs to ensure their efficiency and 
effectiveness. The Office performs systematic fiscal reviews and makes 
recommendations to the Regional Administrator 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 projects, and proposed funding levels. As applicable, 
recommendations are made on the clearance and closure of audits of 
grantee programs, paying particular attention to financial management 
deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of the ACF 
programs and taking steps to monitor the resolution of such 
deficiencies. The Office represents the Regional Administrator in 
dealing with ACF program offices on all program policy and financial 
matters for programs under its jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings 
are provided to the Regional Administrator regarding problems or issues 
that have significant implications for the programs.

VII. Region VII, Kansas City Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD7.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD7.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region VII, Kansas City Office, is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD7A)
Office of State and Tribal Operations (KD7E)
Office of Community Operations (KD7F)
Office of Program Support (KD7G)

    B. Delete KD7.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD7.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. In 
addition, the Office of the Regional Administrator has a Deputy 
Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator. The 
Office provides executive leadership and directives to state, county, 
city, territorial 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 certain state plans 
and submits recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families concerning state plan disapproval. The Office contributes to 
the development of national policy based on regional perspectives on 
all ACF programs. It oversees ACF operations, the management of ACF 
regional staff; coordinates activities across regional programs; and 
assures that goals and objectives are met and departmental and agency 
initiatives 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. The Office 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 Administrator, administrative 
staff assists the Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional 
Administrator in providing day-to-day support for regional 
administrative functions, including budget, performance management, 
procurement, property

[[Page 65299]]

management, employee relations and human resource development 
activities.
    C. Delete KD7.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Office of State and Tribal Operations is headed by a 
Director who reports to the Regional Administrator. The Office is 
responsible for providing centralized management, financial management 
services, and technical administration of ACF formula, block and 
entitlement programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
(TANF), Child Support Enforcement (CSE), Child Care, Foster Care and 
Adoption Assistance, Child Welfare, Child Abuse and Neglect and 
Developmental Disabilities. The Office provides policy guidance to 
state, county, city or town and tribal governments and public and 
private organizations to assure consistent and uniform adherence to 
federal requirements governing formula and entitlement programs. State 
plans are reviewed and recommendations concerning state plan approval 
or disapproval are made to the Regional Administrator. The Office 
provides technical assistance to entities responsible for administering 
these programs to resolve identified problems, ensures that appropriate 
procedures and practices are adopted, monitors the programs to ensure 
their efficiency and effectiveness and establishes regional financial 
management priorities and reviews cost allocation plans. The Office 
provides financial management services for ACF formula and entitlement 
grants in the region. The Office reviews cost estimates and reports for 
ACF entitlement and formula grant programs and recommends funding 
levels. The Office performs systematic fiscal reviews and makes 
recommendations to the Regional Administrator to approve, defer or 
disallow claims for federal financial participation in ACF formula and 
entitlement grant programs. As applicable, recommendations are made on 
the clearance and closure of audits of state programs. The Office 
represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with the ACF program 
offices on all program and financial policy matters under its 
jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are provided to the Regional 
Administrator regarding problems or issues that may have significant 
implications for the programs.
    D. Delete KD7.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Office of Community Operations is headed by a Director who 
reports to the Regional Administrator. The Office is responsible for 
providing centralized management, financial management services, and 
technical administration of ACF discretionary grant programs such as 
Head Start and Youth Programs. The Office provides policy guidance to 
state, county, city or town and tribal governments and public and 
private organizations to assure consistent and uniform adherence to 
federal requirements. The Office provides technical assistance to 
entities responsible for administering these programs to ensure that 
appropriate procedures and practices are adopted, and monitors the 
programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness. The Office 
performs systematic fiscal reviews; and makes recommendations to the 
Regional Administrator 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, 
recommendations are made on the clearance and closure of audits of 
grantee programs. The Office oversees the management and coordination 
of office automation systems in the region such as the Grants 
Application Budget Instrument (GABI) and the Grants Administration 
Tracking System (GATES) and monitors grantee systems projects such as 
the Head Start Program Information Report and the Head Start Management 
Tracking System. The Office represents the Regional Administrator in 
dealing with ACF program offices on all program policy and financial 
matters under its jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are provided 
to the Regional Administrator regarding problems or issues that may 
have significant implications on the programs.
    E. Delete KD7.20 Functions, Paragraph D, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    D. The Office of Program Support is headed by a Director who 
reports to the Regional Administrator. The Grants Officer function is 
located in the office and is responsible for providing centralized 
financial management services for all programs administered by the 
Regional Office. The Office provides cost allocation and audit support 
to the Office of State and Tribal Operations and the Office of 
Community Operations. The Office conducts analyses of state 
developments related to ACF programs and assists with tracking progress 
of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) outcomes. The 
Office provides technical support to the Office of State and Tribal 
Operations and the Office of Community Operations on special projects 
and initiatives. The Office represents the Regional Administrator in 
dealing with ACF offices on all program and financial policy matters 
under its jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are provided to the 
Regional Administrator regarding problems or issues that may have 
significant implications for the programs.

IX. Region VIII, Denver Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD8.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD8.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region VIII, Denver Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD8A)
Office of Early Childhood Programs (KD8B)
Office of State and Tribal Programs (KD8C)

    B. Delete KD8.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD8.20 Functions A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Regional Operations. 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, collaborative relationships which focus on 
outcomes/results, and improved, quality customer service. The Office 
provides executive leadership and direction to state, county, city, 
territorial and tribal governments, as well as to other public and 
private local grantees to ensure effective and efficient program and 
financial management. The Office 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 certain state and tribal plans 
and tribal construction plans and submits its recommendations to the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families concerning state plan 
disapproval. The 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

[[Page 65300]]

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.
    An administrative and program support team, under the leadership of 
the Regional Administrator, directs and facilitates 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 coordinates and manages special and 
sensitive projects. Additionally, it manages regional administrative 
functions, budget planning and execution, facilities management, and 
human resource development. This team serves as the focal point for 
regional public affairs and assists the Regional Administrator in the 
management of crosscutting initiatives and activities among the 
regional components. In addition, the Team provides internal systems, 
telecommunications, and data management support to regional office 
components.
    Within the Office of the Regional Administrator, the Grants 
Officer, functioning independently of all program offices, provides 
program staff with expertise in the business and other non-programmatic 
areas of grant award and administration, and provides appropriate 
internal controls and checks and balances to ensure financial integrity 
in all phases of the grants process. The Grants Officer approves and 
signs all grants and provides guidance to program offices on more 
complex financial management issues. The grants staff is responsible 
for providing centralized financial management and technical 
administration of certain ACF discretionary, entitlement, and block 
grant programs. These programs include Temporary Assistance to Needy 
Families, Child Care Programs, Child Support Enforcement, Child Welfare 
Services, Foster Care Youth Development Programs, and Adoption 
Assistance, Child Abuse and Neglect, Runaway and Homeless Youth, 
Developmental Disabilities, Head Start and Early Head Start. It is 
responsible for ensuring that, for grants under their cognizance, both 
federal staff and grantees fulfill applicable statutory, regulatory, 
and administrative policy requirements. It provides expert grants 
management technical support to the Office of Early Childhood Programs 
and the Office of State and Tribal Programs to resolve complex problems 
in such areas as cost allocation, accounting principles, audit, 
deferrals and disallowances.
    C. Delete KD8.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Office of Early Childhood Programs is headed by a Deputy 
Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator. The 
Office is responsible for providing centralized program, financial 
management and technical administration of certain ACF discretionary 
and block grant programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, Runaway 
and Homeless Youth, Developmental Disabilities, and Child Care 
Programs. The Office of Early Childhood Programs represents the 
Regional Administrator in dealing with ACF program offices and grantees 
on all program and financial management policy matters for programs 
under its jurisdiction. It alerts the Regional Administrator to 
problems or issues that have significant implications for the programs.
    The Office administers the Head Start, Early Head Start, Runaway 
and Homeless Youth, Developmental Disabilities, and Child Care Programs 
and is responsible for providing centralized program, financial 
management and technical administration of these programs. The Office 
provides policy guidance to state, county, city or town and tribal 
governments and public and private organizations to assure consistent 
and uniform adherence to federal requirements. State and Tribal plans 
are reviewed and recommendations concerning state plan approval or 
disapproval are made to the Regional Administrator. The Office provides 
technical assistance to entities responsible for administering these 
programs to resolve identified problems, ensuring that appropriate 
procedures and practices are adopted, monitoring the programs to ensure 
their efficiency and effectiveness and establishing regional financial 
management priorities and reviewing cost allocation plans. The Office 
provides financial management services for ACF entitlement grants in 
the region. It also reviews costs estimates and reports for ACF 
entitlement and formula grant programs and recommends funding levels. 
The Office performs systematic fiscal reviews and makes recommendations 
to the Regional Administrator to approve or disallow costs under ACF 
discretionary, entitlement and block grant programs. The Office issues 
grant awards based on a review of project objectives, budget 
projections, and proposed funding levels. As applicable, 
recommendations are made on the clearance and closure of audits of 
grantee programs, paying particular attention to financial management 
deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of the ACF 
programs and taking steps to monitor the resolution of such 
deficiencies.
    D. Delete KD8.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Office of State and Tribal Programs is headed by a Deputy 
Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator. The 
Office is responsible for providing centralized management, financial 
management services, and technical administration of certain ACF block 
and entitlement programs. The Office represents the Regional 
Administrator in dealing with ACF program offices on all program policy 
and financial matters for programs under its jurisdiction. It alerts 
the Regional Administrator to problems or issues that have significant 
implications for the programs.
    The Office administers the Child Support Enforcement (CSE), 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Welfare Services, 
Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, Youth Development, and Child Abuse 
and Neglect programs and is responsible for providing centralized 
program, financial management and technical administration of these 
programs. The Office provides policy guidance to state, county, city or 
town and tribal governments, grantees and public and private 
organizations to assure consistent and uniform adherence to federal 
requirements governing formula and entitlement programs. It provides 
guidance and direction to states, local and tribal governments and 
grantees to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF programs. 
State and tribal plans are reviewed and recommendations concerning 
state plan approval or disapproval are made to the Regional 
Administrator. The Office provides technical assistance to entities 
responsible for administering these programs to resolve identified 
problems, ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are 
adopted, monitoring the programs to ensure their efficiency and 
effectiveness and establishing regional financial management priorities 
and reviewing cost allocation plans. The Office provides financial 
management services for ACF entitlement grants in the region. It also 
reviews costs

[[Page 65301]]

estimates and reports for ACF entitlement grant programs and recommends 
funding levels. The Office performs systematic fiscal reviews and makes 
recommendations to the Regional Administrator to approve, defer or 
disallow claims for federal financial participation in ACF entitlement 
grant programs. As applicable, recommendations are made on the 
clearance and closure of audits of state programs, paying particular 
attention to financial management deficiencies that decrease the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the ACF programs and taking steps to 
monitor the resolution of such deficiencies.

X. Region IX, San Francisco Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD9.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD9.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region IX, San Francisco Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD9A)
Program Support Unit (KD9B)
Self-Sufficiency Unit (KD9C)
Children and Youth Development Unit (KD9D)

    B. Delete KD9.20 Functions, Paragraph. A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD9.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office is headed by a Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. The 
Office is responsible for the Administration for Children and Families' 
(ACF) key national goals and priorities. It represents ACF's regional 
interests, concerns, and relationships within the Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) and among other Federal agencies, and focuses 
on State agency culture change, effective partnerships which focus on 
outcomes/results, and quality customer service. It provides executive 
leadership and direction to state, county, city, territorial and tribal 
governments, as well as to other public and private local grantees to 
ensure effective and efficient program and financial management. The 
Office 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 is responsible for approval of certain state plans and 
submission of recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children 
and Families for state plan disapproval. The Office contributes to the 
development of national policy based on regional perspectives on all 
ACF programs. It oversees ACF regional operations and the management of 
regional staff; coordinates activities across regional programs; and 
assures that goals and objectives are met and departmental and agency 
initiatives 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. The Office 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 organizations representing children and 
families.
    C. Delete KD9.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Program Support Unit is headed by a manager who reports to 
the Regional Administrator. It supports the Office of the Regional 
Administrator and the Self-Sufficiency and Children and Youth 
Development Units and their grantees in the areas of quality concepts 
and performance measurement, including the reengineering of work 
processes and the development of computer applications, customer 
surveys, statistical applications, and performance measurement models. 
The Unit directs the development of regional work plans related to the 
overall ACF strategic plan and tracks, monitors and reports on regional 
progress in the attainment of ACF national goals and objectives. It 
manages and/or coordinates special, sensitive and/or cross-cutting 
projects and initiatives. The Unit serves as the focal point for public 
affairs and contacts with the media, public awareness activities, 
information dissemination and education campaigns in conjunction with 
the ACF Office of Public Affairs and the HHS Regional Director.
    The Unit provides day-to-day support for regional administrative 
functions, oversees the management and coordination of internal 
automated systems in the region, and provides data management support 
to all Regional Office components. Administrative functions include 
budget formulation and execution, facility and space management, 
procurement, and human resources development and training. Data 
management responsibilities include the development of automated 
systems applications to support and enhance program, fiscal and 
administrative operations, and the compilation of data on demographic 
and service trends that assist in program monitoring and technical 
assistance responsibilities.
    The Unit performs Grants Officer functions, including grants and 
fiscal oversight to ensure consistent policy application across the 
Regional Office units. The Unit assures that audit clearance and other 
financial management processes are implemented consistently and timely 
throughout the Regional Office. The Unit provides expert grants 
management technical support to the Self-Sufficiency and Children and 
Youth Development Units to resolve complex problems in such areas as 
cost allocation, accounting principles, audit, deferrals and 
disallowances. As Grants Officer, the Unit approves and signs all 
discretionary grants.
    The Unit represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with ACF 
offices on all program and financial policy matters under its 
jurisdiction. Early alerts are provided to the Regional Administrator 
regarding problems or issues that may have significant implications for 
the programs.
    D. Delete KD9.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Self-Sufficiency Unit is headed by a manager who reports to 
the Regional Administrator. The Unit is responsible for providing 
program and financial management services, and for technical 
administration of ACF formula, block and entitlement grant programs 
such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Support 
Enforcement (CSE), Child Care and Development Fund, Foster Care and 
Adoption Assistance, Child Welfare, Child Abuse and Neglect and 
Developmental Disabilities. The Unit provides policy guidance to state, 
county, city, territorial and tribal governments, as well as to other 
public and private organizations to assure consistent and uniform 
adherence to federal requirements governing formula, block and 
entitlement grant programs. State plans are reviewed and 
recommendations concerning state plan approval or disapproval are made 
to the Regional Administrator. The Unit provides technical assistance 
to entities responsible for administering these programs to resolve 
identified problems; ensures that appropriate procedures and practices 
are adopted; monitors the programs to ensure their efficiency and 
effectiveness; establishes regional financial management priorities; 
reviews cost allocation plans; and provides technical assistance to and 
monitors state systems projects for designated ACF programs.

[[Page 65302]]

    The Unit provides financial management services for ACF formula, 
entitlement, and block grants in the region. It also reviews cost 
estimates and reports for these grant programs and recommends funding 
levels. The Unit performs systematic fiscal reviews and makes 
recommendations to approve, defer or disallow claims for federal 
financial participation in ACF formula, entitlement and block grant 
programs. As applicable, recommendations are made on the clearance and 
closure of audits of state programs, paying particular attention to 
financial management deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and 
effectiveness of ACF programs and to monitoring the resolution of such 
deficiencies. The Unit represents the Regional Administrator in dealing 
with the ACF program offices on all program and financial policy 
matters under its jurisdiction. Early alerts are provided to the 
Regional Administrator regarding problems or issues that may have 
significant implications for the programs.
    E. Delete KD9.20 Functions, Paragraph D, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    D. The Children and Youth Development Unit is headed by a manager 
who reports to the Regional Administrator. The Unit is responsible for 
providing program and financial management services, and for technical 
administration of ACF discretionary grant programs such as Head Start 
(HS), Early Head Start (EHS), and Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY). In 
that regard, the Unit provides policy guidance to public and private 
organizations, as well as to state, county, city, territorial and 
tribal governments to assure consistent and uniform adherence to 
federal requirements. The Unit provides technical assistance to and 
coordinates various training activities for entities responsible for 
administering these programs to ensure that appropriate procedures and 
practices are adopted, and monitors the programs to ensure their 
efficiency and effectiveness. The Unit administers a system of fiscal 
reviews; reviews costs for allowability; and makes recommendations to 
disallow costs under ACF discretionary grant programs. It issues 
certain discretionary grant awards based on a review of project 
objectives, budget projections, and proposed funding levels. As 
applicable, recommendations are made on the clearance and closure of 
audits of grantee programs, paying particular attention to financial 
management deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness 
of the ACF programs and to monitoring the resolution of such 
deficiencies.
    The Unit represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with ACF 
program offices on all program policy and financial matters under its 
jurisdiction. Early alerts are provided to the Regional Administrator 
regarding problems or issues that may have significant implications for 
the programs.

XI. Region X, Seattle Office of ACF

    A. Delete KD10.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KD10.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families, 
Region X, Seattle Office, is organized as follows:

Management Team (KDXA)
Service Delivery Teams (KDXE)
Support Teams (KDXF)

    B. Delete KD10.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    KD10.20 Functions. A. The Management Team is headed by the Regional 
Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. Also, the 
team has two Associate Regional Administrators who report directly to 
the Regional Administrator. In addition to being a team member, the 
Regional Administrator is responsible for alerting the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families to problems and issues that may 
have significant regional or national impact.
    The Team provides executive leadership to state, county, city, and 
tribal governments, as well as public and private local grantees to 
ensure effective, efficient, results-oriented program and financial 
management. ACF's primary goal is to assist vulnerable and dependent 
children and families to achieve economic independence, stability, and 
self-reliance. The Team partners with state, local, and tribal 
organizations to promote adherence to federal laws, regulations, 
policies and procedures governing the programs, and exercises all 
delegated authorities and responsibilities for oversight of the 
programs. The Team takes action to approve certain state and tribal 
plans and submits recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families concerning plan disapproval. The Team contributes 
to the development of national policy based on regional perspectives on 
all ACF programs. It oversees ACF operations; manages ACF regional 
staff; coordinates activities across regional programs; and assures 
that goals and objectives are met and departmental and agency 
initiatives are carried out.
    The Team represents ACF at the regional level in executive 
communications within ACF, the HHS Regional Director, other HHS 
operating divisions, other federal agencies, Tribal and Native American 
Organizations, and public or private local organizations representing 
children and families.
    In order to ensure that agency goals are accomplished, the 
Management Team provides leadership to grantees through a staff 
organized in Service Delivery Teams. ACF programs and functions are 
grouped within teams according to current ACF programs and/or 
initiatives. Each team is charged with achieving measurable progress 
towards ACF goals through their work with state, local, and tribal 
grantees, the public, other federal agencies and internally within the 
Department. The regional team structure is designed to allow ACF to 
respond quickly in a dynamic and changing environment to achieve ACF 
and HHS goals.
    C. Delete KD10.20 Functions, Paragraph B, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    B. The Service Delivery Teams (SDTs) report directly to the 
Management Team. The SDTs are responsible for providing centralized 
management and technical administration of ACF formula, block, 
discretionary, and entitlement grants and programs to assist families 
achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency, and to promote 
safe, healthy, and permanent environments in which children can grow. 
The SDTs review and recommend approval or disapproval of state and 
tribal plans to the Management Team. SDTs recommend issuance of certain 
grant awards based on a review of project objectives, budget 
projections, and proposed funding levels.
    The SDTs provide policy guidance to state, local, and tribal 
governments, and public and private organizations to foster consistent 
and uniform adherence to federal requirements governing formula, block, 
and entitlement programs. The SDTs provide technical assistance to 
states, grantees, and tribes to resolve identified problems; ensure 
that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; develop and 
implement outcome-based performance measures; and to monitor the 
programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness.
    The SDTs represent the Management Team in dealing with the ACF 
program offices on all program and policy matters under their 
jurisdiction. Alerts or early warnings are provided to the

[[Page 65303]]

Management Team regarding problems or issues that may have significant 
implications for the programs.
    D. Delete KD10.20 Functions, Paragraph C, in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    C. The Support Teams provide administrative and management support 
to the Regional Administrator and Management Team. Members of the 
Support Teams report directly to the Regional Administrator or a member 
of the Management Team. Functions within the Team include day-to-day 
operational management of regional administrative functions such as, 
budget, performance management, procurement, property management, 
employee relations, human resource development activities, planning and 
coordination, and office automation systems.
    The Team includes experts in cash assistance and supportive 
services programs who serve as resources to all teams on issues which 
cross-cut the organization, such as legislative policy updates, 
partnership agreements, result measurements, policy guidance, and 
monitoring state systems projects for ACF programs.
    Team members also provide leadership in regional financial 
management matters to the Service Delivery Teams and the Management 
Team, including reviewing cost estimates and reports for ACF grant 
programs, recommending funding levels, and performing systematic fiscal 
reviews. The Team approves grant awards based on a review of project 
objectives, budget projections, and approved funding plans. It provides 
funds accounting for discretionary grant programs. It establishes 
regional financial management priorities and reviews cost allocation 
plans.

    Dated: November 7, 2003.
Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 03-28915 Filed 11-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P