[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 235 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78856-78859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26778]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Child Support Enforcement; Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority.
    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has reorganized 
the Office of Child Support Enforcement. This reorganization realigns 
the functions of the Office of Child Support Enforcement. It eliminates 
the Division of Performance and Statistical Analysis and moves the 
functions to the Division of Federal Systems.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Lekan, Acting Commissioner, 
Office of Child Support Enforcement, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 
20201; (202) 401-9369.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 KF, Office of Child 
Support Enforcement (OCSE), as last amended in 78 FR 60880--60883, 
October 2, 2013.
    I. Under Chapter KF, Office of Child Support Enforcement, delete KF 
in its entirety and replace with the following:
    KF.00 MISSION. The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) 
advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families/Director of the Office of Child Support Enforcement, on 
matters pertaining to the child support and access and visitation 
programs. OCSE provides direction, guidance, and oversight to state and 
tribal child support programs, the Central Authority for international 
child support cases, and state access and visitation programs for 
activities authorized and directed by title IV-D of the Social Security 
Act and other pertinent legislation. OCSE's core mission is dedicated 
to establishing paternity and obtaining child support in order to 
encourage responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child 
well-being, and to recognize the essential role of both parents in 
supporting their children. The national child support program assures 
that assistance in obtaining support, including financial and medical, 
is available to children, through locating parents, establishing 
paternity, establishing and modifying support obligations, and 
monitoring and enforcing those obligations. The specific 
responsibilities of this Office are to develop, recommend, and issue 
policies, procedures, and interpretations for state and tribal programs 
for locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, and 
obtaining child support; develop procedures for review and approval or 
disapproval of state and tribal plan material; conduct audits of state 
child support programs; assist states and tribes in establishing 
adequate reporting procedures and maintaining records for the operation 
of their child support programs and of amounts collected and disbursed 
under the child support program and the costs incurred in collecting 
such amounts; operate the United States and Tribes Central Authority 
for International Child Support; monitor the access and visitation and 
fatherhood programs; and provide technical assistance and training to 
the states and tribes to help them develop effective procedures and 
systems for services provided by the child support program, including 
automation, outreach, referral, and case management in partnership with 
employers, courts, and responsible fatherhood, workforce, and other 
programs to increase the long-term reliability of support payments 
available to children. OCSE also operates competitive grant programs 
for child support in collaboration with several other components within 
ACF. It also operates the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS); 
certifies to the Secretary of the Treasury amounts of child support 
obligations that require collection in appropriate instances; transmits 
to the Secretary of State certifications of arrearages for passport 
denial; submits reports to Congress, as requested, on activities 
undertaken relative to the child support program; approves advance data 
processing planning documents; and reviews, assesses, and inspects 
planning, design, and operation of state and tribal management 
information systems. FPLS also assists other federal, state, and local 
agencies not involved in child support to fulfill their respective 
missions, save taxpayer dollars, and improve service to the public.
    KF.10 ORGANIZATION. The Office of Child Support Enforcement is 
headed by the Director. The office is organized as follows:

Office of the Director/Deputy Director/Commissioner (KFA)
Office of Audit (KFAA)
Office of the Deputy Commissioner (KFB)
Division of Business and Resource Management (KFB2)
Division of Customer Communications (KFB3)
Division of Policy and Training (KFB5)
Division of Program Innovation (KFB7)
Division of Regional Operations (KFB8)
Child Support Services Regional Program Units (KFB8DI-X)
Division of Federal Systems (KFB9)
Division of State and Tribal Systems (KFB10)

    KF.20 FUNCTIONS. Office of the Director and Deputy Director/
Commissioner (KFA): The Director is also the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families and is directly responsible to the Secretary for 
carrying out OCSE's mission. The Deputy Director/Commissioner has day-
to-day operational responsibility for OCSE. The Deputy Director/
Commissioner assists the Director in carrying out responsibilities of 
the Office and provides direction and leadership to the Office of the 
Deputy Commissioner and the Office of Audit.
    The Deputy Director/Commissioner provides leadership and direction 
to OCSE and is responsible for developing regulations, guidance, and 
standards for state/tribes to follow in locating absent parents; 
establishing paternity and support obligations; maintaining 
relationships with Department officials, other federal departments, 
state and tribal and local officials, and private organizations and 
individuals interested in the child support program; coordinating and 
planning child support program activities to maximize program 
effectiveness; program outreach, as well as access and

[[Page 78857]]

visitation programs and advocacy interests; and approving all 
instructions, policies, and publications. The Deputy Director/
Commissioner is also responsible for the operations and maintenance of 
FPLS, management and financial analysis and strategy development, 
internal OCSE operations, and compliance with federal laws and 
policies. The Deputy Director/Commissioner is responsible for 
collaborating with the Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget and the 
Government Accountability Office on studies related to the child 
support program. In addition, the Deputy Director/Commissioner 
maintains OCSE's Continuity of Operations Plan.
    Office of Audit (KFAA): The Office of Audit develops, plans, 
schedules, and conducts periodic audits of child support programs in 
accordance with audit standards promulgated by the Comptroller General. 
The office is headed by an Office Director and reports directly to the 
Commissioner. The Office conducts audits, at least once every 3 years 
(or more frequently if it is determined that a state has unreliable 
data or fails to meet the performance standards) to determine the 
reliability of state financial and statistical data reporting systems 
used in calculating the performance indicators used as the basis for 
the payment of performance-based financial incentives to the state. 
These audits include testing of the data produced by the system to 
ensure that it is valid, complete, and reliable. The audits also 
include a review of the state's physical security and access controls.
    The Office will also conduct financial audits to determine whether 
federal and other funds made available to carry out the child support 
program are being appropriately expended, and properly and fully 
accounted for. These audits will also examine collections and 
disbursements of support payments for proper processing and accounting. 
In addition, the Office will also conduct other audits and examinations 
of program operations, as may be necessary or requested by program 
officials for the purpose of improving the efficiency, effectiveness, 
and economy of state, tribal, and local child support activities.
    The Office develops consolidated reports for the Commissioner, 
based on findings, provides specifications for the development of audit 
regulations and requirements for audits of state programs, and 
coordinates and maintains effective liaison with the HHS Inspector 
General's Office and with the Government Accountability Office.
    Office of the Deputy Commissioner (KFB): The Deputy Commissioner 
reports to the Deputy Director/Commissioner and assists the 
Commissioner in carrying out the responsibilities of OCSE. The Deputy 
Commissioner provides day-to-day supervision and oversight of the 
Division of Business and Resource Management, Division of Customer 
Communications, Division of Policy and Training, Division of Program 
Innovation, Division of Regional Operations, Division of Federal 
Systems, and Division of State and Tribal Systems. The Deputy 
Commissioner leads OCSE outreach efforts and builds collaborations with 
federal, state, tribal, local, and community agencies to efficiently 
improve child support services.
    The Office of the Deputy Commissioner provides coordination for all 
OCSE contracts and internal IT systems.
    Division of Business and Resource Management (KFB2): The Division 
of Business and Resource Management (DBRM) is responsible for the 
overall management and operation of OCSE administrative services. The 
Division is headed by a Division Director who reports directly to the 
Deputy Commissioner. DBRM leads all efforts related to personnel and 
the formulation and execution of the discretionary budgets for OCSE 
program funds and federal administration funds. DBRM develops, 
implements, and manages all personnel activities; provides guidance on 
all labor and employee relations; coordinates performance management, 
employee engagement, and recognition; provides training and technical 
assistance on business administrative services; manages OCSE-controlled 
space, facilities, assets, and messenger services; and provides for 
health and safety. DBRM also serves as the funding authority for all 
OCSE acquisitions and grant opportunities, procures all goods and 
services, and coordinates all travel and conference management 
activities.
    Division of Customer Communications (KFB3): A Division Director 
leads the Division of Customer Communications (DCC) and reports to the 
Deputy Commissioner. The Division has two branches. The Customer 
Service branch responds to requests for information on specific child 
support cases from custodial and noncustodial parents, the White House, 
members of Congress, Office of Inspector General, state agencies, 
reciprocating countries, and various interest groups. The Program 
Communications branch plans, designs, and executes public outreach and 
communications campaigns to convey information about the child support 
program and engage with child support stakeholders. The branch is 
responsible for providing guidance on strategies and approaches to 
improve public understanding of and access to OCSE programs and 
policies, develops and publishes informational materials on the OCSE 
website, and engages with our stakeholders through social media. With 
these information channels, DCC serves as a focal point for consistent, 
clear, and accurate program communication.
    Division of Policy and Training (KFB5): The Division of Policy and 
Training (DPT) proposes and implements national policy for the child 
support program and provides policy guidance and interpretations to 
states and tribes in developing and operating their programs according 
to federal law. DPT is headed by a Division Director who directly 
reports to the Deputy Commissioner and is supported by the Policy 
Branch and the Training Branch. The Policy Branch develops legislative 
proposals and regulations to implement new legislation, court 
decisions, or directives from higher authority, and provides comments 
on pending legislative proposals. It develops new state plan preprint 
requirements and procedures for review and approval by the Division of 
Regional Operations. Additionally, the Policy Branch reviews the state 
plan submittals and prepares justifications for plan disapproval 
action. DPT coordinates with the Office of General Counsel on pending 
departmental appeals and collaborates with ACF on audit resolution. DPT 
also implements Central Authority activities for international support 
enforcement and functions as the U.S. Central Authority for 
international support enforcement. The Training Branch provides 
national direction and leadership for OCSE training activities to 
increase child support program effectiveness at federal, state, and 
tribal levels; coordinates child support program training activities; 
and provides logistical support for child support training events, 
meetings, and conferences.
    Division of Program Innovation (KFB7): The Division of Program 
Innovation (DPI) develops, evaluates, and refines new strategies to 
improve child support program effectiveness, and disseminates 
information about promising and evidence-based practice. The Division 
is headed by a Division Director who reports directly to the Deputy 
Commissioner. DPI manages research and demonstration projects, 
including Section 1115 grants and waivers and Special Improvement

[[Page 78858]]

Project grants, and promotes program evaluation at the state and local 
levels. DPI also implements special projects of regional or national 
significance, pilots new child support approaches, and administers the 
Access and Visitation Grant Program.
    The Division of Regional Operations (KFB8): The Division of 
Regional Operations (DRO) provides direct oversight of all child 
support Regional Program Unit operations, including ensuring customer-
focused partnerships to child support programs and services, and 
implementation of child support regional operations, policies, budgets, 
and program compliance of all 10 regions. This includes oversight of 
Regional Program Units providing technical assistance and support to 
state and tribal child support agencies. The Division is headed by a 
Director, who reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner. DRO provides 
management and oversight of the Regions through coordinating activities 
between Central Office Divisions and the Regional Program Units. The 
Division provides information to improve public understanding of and 
across to OCSE programs and policies. The Division is responsible for 
providing oversight of all Regional representation at conferences and 
meetings both within the child support community and other 
collaborative programs and partners. The Division is also responsible 
for the management, receipt, review, and analysis of public inquiries 
and the preparation of formal (both written and electronic) responses 
to external inquiries for child support program information and 
assistance in obtaining child support services.
    Child Support Enforcement Regional Program Units (KFB8DI-X): Each 
OCSE Regional Program Unit is headed by the OCSE Regional Program 
Manager who reports to the Director of the Division of Regional 
Operations. The OCSE Regional Program Manager, through regional staff 
and in collaboration with program stakeholders, is responsible for (1) 
providing program and technical administration of the ACF entitlement 
and discretionary programs related to OCSE; (2) collaborating with the 
ACF central office, states, tribes, and other external programs and 
grantees on all significant program and policy matters; (3) providing 
technical assistance and training to entities responsible for 
administering OCSE programs to resolve identified problems; (4) 
ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5) 
working with appropriate state, tribal, and local offices to develop 
innovative practices to support family self-sufficiency; 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.
    Division of Federal Systems (KFB9): The Division of Federal Systems 
(DFS) is responsible for the design, development, deployment, 
maintenance, and implementation of FPLS. The Division is headed by a 
Division Director who directly reports to the Deputy Commissioner. FPLS 
is made up of a group of data sharing, collection, and program systems, 
such as the federal tax refund offset program, that helps OCSE support 
the core mission of the child support program and helps prevent 
improper payments in state and federal benefit programs through NDNH 
data matching. DFS provides states with data to help them locate 
parents, establish fair and equitable child support obligations, 
process income withholding and payments, collect and enforce past-due 
child support, and communicate effectively and efficiently. DFS 
provides outreach, technical support, and training to child support 
agencies, employers, insurers, financial institutions, and other 
private and government partners to ensure that the FPLS systems are 
used to their maximum benefit.
    DFS is responsible for automation of data and timeliness of 
transactions. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, 
oversight of collaborations with the Social Security Administration 
(SSA) on technical aspects of their use of OCSE's data and OCSE's use 
of SSA data center resources; conduct analyses and feasibility 
assessments; develop requirements; and design, develop, and implement 
system enhancements to increase efficiencies and support users of FPLS 
information. DFS also ensures that all IT projects are managed 
according to OMB/HHS/ACF standards for architecture, capital planning, 
security, and privacy, and fall within tolerances for acceptance.
    Additionally, DFS provides guidance, analysis, technical 
assistance, and oversight to state and tribal child support programs 
regarding performance measurement; statistical, policy, and program 
analysis; synthesis and dissemination of data sets to inform the 
program; and application of emerging technologies, such as business 
intelligence and data analytics to improve and enhance the 
effectiveness of programs and service. DFS is also responsible for 
collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of state and 
tribal data to Congress and the general public. The Division also 
provides statistical and budgeting support in coordination with other 
divisions. DFS is responsible for promoting public access and 
understanding of data; managing academic/research projects; and 
providing support for researchers. DFS provides technical assistance to 
states in developing their self-assessment capabilities and 
implementing the annual reporting requirements contained in the 
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 
1996.
    Division of State and Tribal Systems (KFB10): The Division of State 
and Tribal Systems (DSTS) reviews, analyzes, and approves/disapproves 
state and tribal requests for Federal Financial Participation for 
automated systems development and operations activities that support 
the child support program. DSTS is headed by a Division Director who 
directly reports to the Deputy Commissioner. DSTS provides assistance 
to states and tribes in developing or modifying automation plans to 
conform to federal requirements. DSTS monitors approved state and 
tribal systems development activities; certifies state-wide automated 
systems; and conducts periodic reviews to assure state and tribal 
compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to automated systems 
supported by Federal Financial Participation. DSTS provides guidance to 
states and tribes on functional requirements for these automated 
information systems, and works with federal, state, local, and tribal 
health and human services agencies to foster and promote 
interoperability and collaboration across the automated systems that 
support their programs. The Division promotes interstate and tribal 
transfer of existing automated systems and provides assistance and 
guidance to improve ACF's programs through the use of automated systems 
and technology. It provides development support and guidance to tribes 
on the installation, implementation, and maintenance of the Model 
Tribal System.
    II. Continuation of Policy. Except as inconsistent with this 
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with 
respect to organizational components affected by this notice within 
ACF, heretofore issued and in effect on this date of this 
reorganization are continued in full force and effect.
    III. Delegation of Authority. All delegations and redelegations of 
authority made to officials and employees of affected organizational 
components will continue in them or their successors pending further

[[Page 78859]]

redelegations, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    IV. 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.
    This reorganization will be effective upon date of signature.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 652

    Dated: December 1, 2020.
Megan E. Steel,
Office of the Executive Secretariat, Administration for Children and 
Families.
[FR Doc. 2020-26778 Filed 12-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P