[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 54 (Thursday, March 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15785-15788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05869]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Administration on Children, Youth and Families; Statement of 
Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Statement of Organizations, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority.
    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has reorganized 
the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF). The 
reorganization has no impact on existing delegations of authority. The 
reorganization within the ACYF Office of the Commissioner amends the 
functions of the Office of Management Services and creates the Office 
of Budget. Within the Children's Bureau (CB), it creates the Division 
of Performance Measurement and Improvement. It removes the Office of 
Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation from the Office of the 
Commissioner and transfers the functions to the Division of Performance 
Measurement and Improvement. Within the Family and Youth Services 
Bureau (FYSB), it renames the Division of Adolescent Development and 
Support to the Division for Optimal Adolescent Development and elevates 
the Runaway Homeless Youth office to the Division of Runaway and 
Homeless Youth. It also creates the Division of Evaluation, Data and 
Policy. Lastly, it renames the Division of Family Violence Prevention 
to the Division of Family Violence Prevention and Services.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Darling, Commissioner, 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 330 C Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20201, (202) 401-2761.
    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 KB, Administration on Children, Youth and Families 
(ACYF), as last amended in 76 FR 81505-81508, December 28, 2011.
    I. Under Chapter KB, Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families, delete KB 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 that prevent or remediate the effects of 
trauma, abuse, and/or neglect of children and youth and promote child, 
adolescent, and family wellbeing.
    ACYF 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 implements the Child Abuse Prevention and 
Treatment Act (CAPTA). It administers programs under the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act, carries out the provisions of the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Act, and manages adolescent pregnancy 
prevention programs authorized through Title V of the Social Security 
Act under Section 510 for Sexual Risk Avoidance Education and Section 
513 for Personal Responsibility Education Program.
    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 research and demonstration programs 
authorized by title IV-B of the Social Security Act and oversees 
promising youth development programs.
    KB.10 Organization. The Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families is headed by a Commissioner, who reports directly to the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, and consists of:

Office of the Commissioner (KBA)
Office of Management Services (KBA1)
Office Of Budget (KBA2)
Children's Bureau (KBD)
Children's Bureau Regional Program Units (KBDDI-X)
Office of Child Abuse and Neglect (KBD1)
Division of Policy (KBD2)
Division of Program Implementation (KBD3)
Division of Program Innovation (KBD4)
Division of Child Welfare Capacity Building (KBD5)
Division of State Systems (KBD6)
Division of Performance Measurement and Improvement (KBD7)
Family and Youth Services Bureau (KBE)
Division for Optimal Adolescent Development (KBE1)
Division of Family Violence Prevention and Services (KBE2)
Division of Evaluation, Data and Policy (KBE3)
Division of Runaway and Homeless Youth (KBE4)

    KB.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Commissioner serves as 
principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, 
the Secretary, and other officials of the Department on the sound 
development of children, youth, and families. It provides executive 
direction and management strategy to ACYF components. The Deputy 
Commissioner assists the Commissioner in carrying out the 
responsibilities of the Office. The Office of the Commissioner is 
comprised of two offices:
    The Office of Management Services functions as Executive 
Secretariat for the Office of the Commissioner, including managing 
correspondence, correspondence systems, and electronic mail requests; 
coordinates the provision of staff development and training; provides 
support for ACYF's personnel administration, including staffing, 
employee and labor relations, performance management, and employee 
recognition; manages ACYF-controlled space and facilities; performs 
manpower planning and administration; plans for, distributes, and 
controls ACYF supplies; provides mail and messenger services; maintains 
duplicating, fax, and computer and computer peripheral equipment; 
supports and manages automation within ACYF; provides for health and 
safety; and oversees travel administration, time and attendance, and 
other administrative functions for ACYF.
    The Office of Budget manages the formulation and execution of the 
budgets for ACYF programs and for federal administration, serves as the 
central control point for operational and long range planning, manages 
procurement planning and provides technical assistance regarding 
procurement, acquires ACYF supplies, provides oversight and technical 
assistance on funds planning for travel expenditures and travel 
administration on obligation and payment issues, monitors the 
obligation and expenditure of ACYF funds through the lifecycle of the 
appropriations, and provides leadership and advice on financial policy 
issues that cut across all the ACYF program and funding mechanisms.
    B. The Children's Bureau (CB) is headed by an Associate 
Commissioner who advises the Commissioner, ACYF,

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on matters related to the administration of state and tribal child 
welfare systems, including child abuse and neglect, child protective 
services, family preservation and support, adoption, foster care and 
independent living, and child abuse and neglect prevention. A Deputy 
Associate Commissioner supports the Associate Commissioner and manages 
the day-to-day operations of the CB. CB recommends legislative and 
budgetary proposals, operational planning system objectives and 
initiatives, and projects and issue areas for evaluation, research, and 
demonstration activities. CB represents ACYF in initiating and 
implementing interagency activities and projects affecting children and 
families, and provides leadership and coordination for the programs, 
activities, and subordinate components of the Bureau. The Bureau is 
comprised of eight units:
    The Regional Program Unit is headed by the Director of Regional 
Programs who reports to the Associate Commissioner, CB, within ACYF. 
The Director of Regional Programs, through subordinate Regional Program 
Managers and their staff, in collaboration with program components, is 
responsible for (1) providing program and technical administration of 
CB formula, entitlement, block, and discretionary programs related to 
child welfare, including child abuse and neglect prevention, child 
protective services, family preservation and support, adoption, foster 
care, and independent living; (2) collaborating with the ACF Central 
Office, states, and grantees on all program matters for programs or 
issues that have significant implications for the programs; (3) 
providing technical assistance to entities responsible for 
administering CB programs to resolve identified problems; (4) ensuring 
that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5) working with 
appropriate state and local officials to develop and implement outcome-
based performance measures; and (6) monitoring the programs to ensure 
their efficiency and effectiveness, and ensuring that these entities 
conform to federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures 
governing the programs.
    The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect provides leadership and 
direction on the issues of child maltreatment and the prevention of 
abuse and neglect under CAPTA. It is the focal point for interagency 
collaborative efforts, national conferences, and special initiatives 
related to child abuse and neglect, and for coordinating activities 
related to the prevention of abuse and neglect and the protection of 
children at risk of maltreatment. It supports activities to build 
networks of community-based, prevention-focused family resource and 
support programs through the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention 
Grants. It supports improvement in the state systems that handle child 
abuse and neglect cases, particularly child sexual abuse and 
exploitation- and maltreatment-related fatalities, and improvement in 
the investigation and prosecution of these cases through the Children's 
Justice Act.
    The Division of Policy provides leadership and direction in policy 
development and interpretation of titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social 
Security Act and the Basic State Grant under CAPTA. It writes 
regulations and interprets policy for the Bureau's formula and 
entitlement grant programs, and responds to requests for policy 
clarification from ACF Regional Offices and other sources.
    The Division of Program Implementation provides leadership and 
direction in the operation and review of programs under titles IV-B and 
IV-E of the Social Security Act and the Basic State Grant under CAPTA. 
It develops program instructions, information memoranda, and annual 
reports related to these programs. It analyzes State Plans and develops 
state profiles and other reports. It is responsible for the Monitoring 
Team, which schedules and coordinates the monitoring of the state title 
IV-E reviews and ensures effective corrective action if necessary. It 
is the focal point for financial issues, including disallowances, 
appeals, and the decisions of the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB).
    The Division of Program Innovation provides leadership and 
direction in program development, innovation, and research. It defines 
critical issues for investigation and makes recommendations regarding 
subject areas for research, demonstration, and evaluation. It 
administers the Bureau's discretionary grant programs and awards 
project grants to state and local agencies and organizations 
nationwide.
    The Division of Child Welfare Capacity Building provides leadership 
and direction in the areas of training, technical assistance, and 
information dissemination under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social 
Security Act, and under CAPTA. Either directly or through grants or 
contracts, it provides training and technical assistance to assist 
service providers, state and local governments, and tribes. It manages 
discretionary training grants under section 426 of the Social Security 
Act and title IV-E training and directs the operations and activities 
of statutorily mandated clearinghouses. The Division identifies best 
practices for treating vulnerable families and preventing abuse and 
neglect. It participates in the development of funding opportunity 
announcements and manages certain discretionary grant projects.
    The Division of State Systems (DSS) reviews, assesses, and inspects 
the planning, design, and operation of state management information 
systems and approves advanced planning documents for automated data 
systems. The Division provides leadership for the provision of 
technical assistance to states on information systems projects and 
advances the use of computer technology in the administration of child 
welfare and social services programs by states. The Division reviews, 
analyzes, and approves/disapproves state requests for federal financial 
participation for automated systems development and related activities 
that support child welfare programs, including foster care and 
adoption. It provides assistance to states in developing or modifying 
automation plans to conform to federal requirements, monitors approved 
state system development activities, and conducts periodic reviews to 
ensure state compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to 
automated systems supported by federal financial participation. It 
provides guidance to states on functional requirements for these 
automated information systems.
    The Division of Performance Measurement and Improvement provides 
oversight in the collection, analysis, and reporting of state-level 
data reported to CB through mandated data collections; oversees an 
outcomes-oriented review of state child welfare systems; and sets, 
tracks, and reports on performance indicators in response to the 
Government Performance and Results Act and other performance oriented 
mandates. The Division is comprised of two teams. The Data Analytics 
and Reporting Team collects, analyzes, and disseminates program data 
from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System 
(AFCARS), the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD), and the 
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems (NCANDS); ensures 
accuracy of data reporting; develops systematic methods of measuring 
the impact and effectiveness of various child welfare programs; and 
performs statistical sampling functions. The Child and Family Services 
Review Team, in partnership with CB's Regional Program Units, carries 
out reviews of child protection, foster care, adoption, family

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preservation, family support, and independent living services provided 
by the states. The Child and Family Services Review Team ensures the 
accuracy and consistency of the review protocol across all states of 
the review process and in subsequent program improvement efforts.
    C. The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is headed by an 
Associate Commissioner who recommends policy direction and programs to 
address issues involving vulnerable, at-risk youth, survivors of 
domestic violence and their families to the Commissioner, ACYF. FYSB 
supports the organizations and communities working to end youth 
homelessness, youth at risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation, 
adolescent pregnancy, and domestic violence through programs that 
provide shelter, community services, and prevention education for 
youth, adults, and families.
    A Deputy Associate Commissioner supports the Associate Commissioner 
and manages the day-to-day operations of FYSB. The Bureau assesses and 
recommends policies and legislation and develops program initiatives 
for runaway and homeless youth, family violence prevention and services 
(i.e., services addressing domestic violence, and dating violence and 
to provide immediate shelter and supportive services for adult and 
youth victims), adolescent pregnancy prevention, and trafficking 
prevention services. FYSB recommends budgetary and legislative 
proposals, operational planning initiatives, and projects and subject 
areas for research, evaluation, and demonstration activities. FYSB 
coordinates efforts with and provides expert advice to departmental and 
other federal agencies on addressing and preventing family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence and for implementing programs 
for vulnerable youth, including runaway and homeless youth; youth at 
risk of trafficking, sexual exploitation, or violent crime 
victimization; youth at risk of unplanned pregnancy or becoming teen 
parents; and any youth in at-risk situations. The Bureau represents HHS 
on various councils, workgroups, and committees and provides leadership 
and coordination to other HHS programs and agencies working to address 
runaway and homeless youth, youth at risk of severe forms of 
trafficking and sexual exploitation, domestic and dating violence 
prevention and services, and adolescent pregnancy prevention. The 
Bureau is comprised of four Divisions:
    The Division of Family Violence Prevention and Services promotes 
public awareness about family violence, domestic violence, and dating 
violence. The Division also promotes awareness about the impact of 
family violence, and effective prevention and intervention strategies 
to address the problem. The Division's programs provide immediate 
shelter and related assistance to victims of family violence and their 
dependents; provide for research into the most effective methods of 
family violence prevention, identification, and intervention; and 
provide training and technical assistance to family violence and 
domestic violence programs including states, tribes, local public 
agencies (such as law enforcement agencies, courts, social service 
agencies, child welfare programs, mental health and substance abuse 
treatment programs, and health care providers), and non-profit 
organizations. The Division provides support for the National Domestic 
Violence Hotline, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is 
available in 200 languages, including services in Spanish, video and/or 
text chat for Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors, and culturally 
specific response to Native American victims by Native advocates. The 
Division supports the development of services to address the needs of 
children exposed to domestic violence and their abused parents. The 
Division is responsible for developing, updating, and implementing 
program regulations and policies. The Division oversees the receipt and 
review of applications for grants and grantee activities. It also 
provides guidance, review, support, and assistance to states, tribes, 
discretionary grantees and sub awardees on HHS policies, regulations, 
procedures, and systems necessary to ensure efficient program operation 
at the state, territorial, and tribal levels. In addition, the Division 
coordinates all programs for victims and potential victims of family 
violence and their dependents.
    The Division of Evaluation, Data and Policy provides leadership and 
direction for FYSB, informing program and policy development and 
innovation through evaluation strategies and data analysis for runaway 
and homeless youth, youth at risk of severe forms of trafficking, 
adolescent pregnancy prevention, and family violence prevention and 
services. The Division leads the management of the legislatively 
mandated data information systems and all evaluation efforts within 
FYSB. The Division directs evaluation efforts to include study design; 
instrument development; and rigorous, methodological approaches; and 
conducts analysis of data (e.g., regression, ANOVA, predictive 
modeling) to inform the policy and program priorities of FYSB programs. 
It oversees FYSB's performance standards and performance measurement 
process, evaluation strategies, program outcome development, and the 
synthesis of data to inform and support innovation in the 
implementation of each program and demonstration projects' best and 
emerging practices. The Division provides leadership and direction in 
policy development, responds to requests for policy clarification, and 
analyzes the implementation of FYSB's authorizing legislations. The 
Division provides recommendations to the Commissioner and Associate 
Commissioner on strategic priorities, policy direction, and 
programmatic improvements to address issues involving vulnerable youth 
and their families, adolescent pregnancy prevention, and victims of 
domestic violence. The Division also recommends legislative and 
budgetary proposals, strategic partnerships, and identifies issue areas 
for evaluation, research, and demonstration initiatives.
    The Division for Optimal Adolescent Development administers an 
array of adolescent pregnancy prevention projects to states, tribes, 
and community-based organizations that provide education to youth on 
how to prevent teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted 
infections, including HIV/AIDS, and provides education on healthy 
relationships and refraining from non-marital sexual activity. The 
Division supports the inclusion of evidence-based, age-appropriate, and 
medically accurate strategies and models that support the successful 
transition of youth through adolescence and into adulthood with a 
holistic approach to teaching the benefits of personal responsibility, 
healthy decision-making, goal setting, and normalizing the optimal 
behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity. There is a subset of 
grant programs that test innovative approaches to adolescent pregnancy 
prevention through rigorous evaluations conducted at local and national 
levels. The collection of performance measurement data provides 
information to support program improvement and to track program 
outcomes. The Division provides technical support to ensure compliance 
with programmatic and fiscal requirements of programs across all 
funding streams, as directed by the application of federal policy, 
regulations, and laws. The Division develops the conceptual framework 
for issues pertaining to adolescent

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pregnancy prevention, monitors funded programs, and ensures the 
provision of technical assistance and training through contracts, 
cooperative agreements, and Interagency Agreements. This includes the 
development and management of a social media marketing campaign to 
provide messaging to youth that normalize the optimal behavior of 
avoiding non-marital sexual activity.
    The Division of Runaway and Homeless Youth serves as the national 
leader for the provision of shelter and supportive services to 
unaccompanied homeless youth and administers the runaway and homeless 
youth program that incorporates the basic center, street outreach, and 
transitional living programs. The Division also conducts development 
and implementation of policy, guidelines, and regulations concerning 
the funding and management of service projects for youth in compliance 
with the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. The Division designs, 
develops, funds, and monitors support activities related to RHY 
programs including, but not limited to, the provision of technical 
assistance, executing a monitoring system, maintaining a requisite data 
collection system, the National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and 
Families, and the National Runaway Safeline. The Division oversees the 
receipt and review of applications for discretionary grants in these 
program areas and monitors the management of these grants through 
monthly contacts and on-site visits through the ACF Regional Offices.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101.

    Dated: February 28, 2020.
Alex M. Azar II,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-05869 Filed 3-18-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P