[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29649-29650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4758]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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 KA, Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary, as 
last amended at 63 FR 81-87, January 2, 1998; Chapter KB, 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), as last amended 
at 67 FR 8816-18, February 26, 2002; and Chapter KH, Office of Family 
Assistance (OFA), as last amended at 67 FR 67198, November 4, 2002. 
This reorganization will transfer the Head Start Bureau (KBC) in its 
entirety and with its current organizational structure, from ACYF (KB), 
and retitle it as the Office of Head Start (KU) reporting directly to 
the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. This reorganization 
will also transfer the Child Care Bureau (KBG) in its entirety and with 
its current organizational structure from ACYF to the Office of Family 
Assistance (KH). The changes are as follows:
    I. Under Chapter KB, Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families, make the following changes:
    A. Delete, KB.00 Mission, in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KB.00 Mission: The Administration on Children, Youth and Families 
(ACYF) advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families, on matters relating to the sound development of 
children, youth and families by planning, developing and implementing a 
broad range of activities. It administers state grant programs under 
titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act; manages the Adoption 
Opportunities program and other discretionary programs for the 
development and provision of child welfare services; and administers 
discretionary grant programs providing facilities for runaway youth; 
and administers the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. It 
supports and encourages services that prevent or remedy the effects of 
abuse and/or neglect of children and youth.
    In concert with other components of ACF, ACYF develops and 
implements research, demonstration and evaluation strategies for the 
discretionary funding of activities designed to improve and enrich the 
lives of children and youth and to strengthen families. It administers 
Child Welfare Services training and Child Welfare Services research and 
demonstration programs authorized by title IV-B of the Social Security 
Act; administers the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act authorized by title 
III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act; and manages 
initiatives to involve the private and voluntary sectors in the areas 
of children, youth and families.
    B. Under Chapter KB, Paragraph KB.10 Organization, delete the 
following components in their entireties:

--Head Start Bureau (KBC).
--Child Care Bureau (KBG).
    C. Under Paragraph KB.20 Functions, delete Paragraph ``C. Head 
Start Bureau (KBC),'' and Paragraph ``G. Child Care Bureau (KBG),'' in 
their entireties, and remove any reporting references to ACYF.
    II. Under Chapter KH, Office of Family Assistance, make the 
following changes:
    A. Delete Paragraph, KH.00 Mission in its entirety and replace with 
the following:
    KH.00 Mission: The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) advises the 
Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, 
on matters relating to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
(TANF) program, title IV-A of the Social Security Act. This program 
promotes temporary assistance

[[Page 29650]]

and economic self-sufficiency for children and families. The Office 
provides leadership direction and technical guidance, with ACF Regional 
Offices, to the States, Tribes and Territories on the TANF program, the 
Native Employment Works program, and the Aid to the Aged, Blind and 
Disabled program in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island. The Office 
refocuses efforts to increase economic independence and productivity 
for families. It provides direction and guidance in the collection and 
dissemination of performance and other valuable data for these 
programs. The office provides technical assistance to States, 
Territories, Indian Tribes, native American organizations, localities 
and community groups, and assesses State, Territorial and Tribal 
performance in administering these programs; reviews State and Tribal 
planning for administrative and operational improvement; and recommends 
actions to improve effectiveness.
    In addition, the Office of Family Assistance advises the Secretary, 
through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, on matters 
relating to child care. The Child Care Bureau serves as the principal 
advisor to the Director, OFA, on issues regarding child care programs. 
It has primary responsibility for the operation of child care programs 
authorized under the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act and 
section 418 of the Social Security Act. It develops legislative, 
regulatory and budgetary proposals; presents operational planning 
objectives and initiatives related to child care to the Director, OFA; 
and oversees the progress of approved activities. It provides 
leadership and coordination for child care within ACF. It provides 
leadership and linkages with other agencies on child care issues 
including agencies within DHHS, relevant agencies across the Federal, 
State, local governments and Tribal governments, and non-governmental 
organizations at the Federal, State and local levels.
    B. Under Paragraph KH.10 Organization, include the following new 
component:

--Child Care Bureau (KHJ).

    C. Amend Paragraph KH.20 Functions, as follows:
    (1) Establish a new component Child Care Bureau (KHJ).
    (2) Transfer from the Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families, Chapter KB, the Child Care Bureau (KBG), along with its 
respective organization components into the Child Care Bureau (KHJ). 
The statement of organization, functions, and delegations of authority 
for the Child Care Bureau (KHJ) and its respective subcomponents will 
remain intact, until either superseded or amended.
    III. Amend Chapter K, Administration for Children and Families, as 
follows:
    A. Under Section K.10 Organization, add the following new 
component:

--Office of Head Start (KU).

    B. Amend Section K.20 Functions, as follows:
    (1) Establish a new Chapter (KU).
    (2) Transfer from the Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families, Chapter (KB), the Head Start Bureau (KBC) along with its 
respective functional statement and responsibilities to the Office of 
Head Start, Chapter (KU). The statement of organization, functions, and 
delegations of authority for the Office of Head Start (KU) and its 
respective subcomponents will remain intact, until either superseded or 
amended.
    IV. Continuation of Policy: Except as inconsistent with this 
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with 
respect to organizational components effected by this Notice within the 
Administration for Children and Families heretofore issued and in 
effect on the date of this reorganization are continued in full force 
and effect.
    V. Delegations of Authority: All delegations and delegations of 
authority made to officials and employees of affected organizational 
components will continue in them or their successors pending further 
redelegation, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    VI. Funds, Personnel and Equipment: Transfer of organizations and 
functions affected by this reorganization shall be accompanied in each 
instance by direct and support funds, positions, personnel, records, 
equipment, supplies and other resources.

    Dated: May 16, 2006.
Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-4758 Filed 5-22-06; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M