[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32227-32230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10072]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood 
Development, Office of Head Start, Office of Child Care; Statement of 
Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has 
reorganized the Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD), the Office 
of Head Start (OHS), and the Office of Child Care (OCC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Rathgeb, Associate Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Office of Early Childhood Development, 330 C 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, (202) 205-7378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This reorganization removes the Office of 
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development (ODAS-
ECD) from the Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary (IOAS) and 
creates the Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD). The ECD 
Division of Policy and Budget will be renamed the Policy and Strategy 
Division.
    This notice removes the Division of ECD Research, Analysis, and 
Communications and places the research and analysis functions in the 
Policy and Strategy Division and the communication functions into the 
Policy and Strategy Division and the Immediate Office of Early 
Childhood Development. It removes the ECD Division of Interagency and 
Special Initiatives and places the functions in the Policy and Strategy 
Division.
    In addition to the Policy and Strategy Division, this 
reorganization creates three new divisions within ECD: the Tribal Early 
Childhood Division, the Budget Division, and the Administrative 
Operations Division.
    This notice removes the ECD Division of Comprehensive Services and 
Training and Technical Assistance and places the functions into the 
newly created Training and Technical Assistance Division in OCC and the 
newly created Comprehensive Services and Training and Technical 
Assistance Division in OHS.

[[Page 32228]]

    Within OHS, this reorganization creates the Comprehensive Services 
and Training and Technical Assistance Division. It removes the Budget 
Execution Division and moves its functions in its entirety to the newly 
created Budget Division within ECD. It also removes the budget 
execution functions from the Office of the Director of OCC and moves 
the functions to the Budget Division within ECD. Within OCC, it creates 
the Training and Technical Assistance Division.
    Within OHS and OCC, it removes the administrative teams from the 
Office of the Directors and places them in the newly created 
Administrative Operations Division within ECD. Within OCC, the Division 
of Planning, Data, and Policy is renamed the Policy, Data, and Planning 
Division. Within OHS, this reorganization creates the Oversight 
Division. It renames the Division of Policy, Oversight, and Planning to 
the Policy and Planning Division and the Division of Grants is renamed 
the Competitive Grants Division.
    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): 
Chapter K, Administration for Children and Families, as last amended 83 
FR 24119-22 (May 24, 2018); Chapter KA, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary, as last amended Chapter KU, Office of Head Start (OHS), as 
last amended 7346-7351, February 11, 2016; Chapter KV, Office of Child 
Care (OCC) as last amended 7346-7351, February 11, 2016.

I. Amend Chapter K, Administration for Children and Families, as 
Follows

    A. Delete Section K.10, Administration for Children and Families, 
in its entirety and replace with the following:
    K.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF) is a principal operating division of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS). The Administration is headed by the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families, who reports directly to the 
Secretary. The Assistant Secretary also serves as the Director of Child 
Support Enforcement. In addition to the Assistant Secretary, the 
Administration consists of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, 
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Native American Affairs and Commissioner, Administration 
for Native Americans, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External 
Affairs, and Staff and Program Offices. ACF is organized as follows:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families (KA)
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (KB)
Administration for Native Americans (KE)
Office of Child Support Enforcement (KF)
Office of Community Services (KG)
Office of Family Assistance (KH)
Office of Regional Operations (KJ)
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (KM)
Office of Communications (KN)
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration (KP)
Office of Refugee Resettlement (KR)
Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget (KT)
Office of Head Start (KU)
Office of Child Care (KV)
Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (KW)
Office of Early Childhood Development (KY)

    B. Establish Chapter KY, Office of Early Childhood Development:
    KY.00 Mission. The mission of the Office of Early Childhood 
Development (ECD) is to advance an early childhood field that meets the 
developmental needs of children and their families in communities 
across the country. To achieve this mission, ECD advises the Secretary, 
through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, in 
formulating policy, budgets, implementation strategies, and new 
initiatives on matters related to early childhood programs and services 
under the purview of ACF and in collaboration with other operating 
divisions. ECD provides executive direction and management strategy to 
OCC and OHS.
    KY.10 Organization. ECD is headed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Early Childhood Development (DAS-ECD) who reports directly to the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary is the primary policy advisor to the Assistant Secretary on 
all early childhood policy. The Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for ECD and the Directors of the Office of Child Care and the Office of 
Head Start report directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.

Office of Early Childhood Development (KY)
Policy and Strategy Division (KYA)
Tribal Early Childhood Division (KYB)
Budget Division (KYC)
Administrative Operations Division (KYD)
    KY.20 Functions.
    A. Office of Early Childhood Development (KY): The Office of Early 
Childhood Development is responsible for providing leadership, 
planning, and oversight of early childhood systems across Head Start, 
child care, and other early childhood service delivery organizations. 
ECD also coordinates policy, legislative, program guidance, regulatory, 
and budgetary documents across the Office of Child Care (OCC), the 
Office of Head Start (OHS), Preschool Development Grants Birth to Five, 
and Tribal MIECHV.
    The Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood 
Development (ADAS) reports to and assists the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary in carrying out the responsibilities of ECD and serves as a 
liaison to the Directors and career leadership of OCC and OHS. The ADAS 
is a career senior executive service position, and the position also 
functions as the alter ego to the DAS. The ADAS performs the duties of 
the Deputy Assistant Secretary when the DAS is absent. Division 
Directors within ECD report directly to the ADAS.
    B. Policy and Strategy Division (KYA): The Policy and Strategy 
Division is responsible for advising the DAS and ADAS on matters 
relating to early childhood policy and strategies, regulation 
development, legislative issues, and budget formulation to coordinate 
early childhood programs, improve services to children and families, 
and support the early childhood workforce; the coordination of policies 
and regulations, governing early childhood programs with the potential 
for cross-programmatic impact; the coordination of strategic plans and 
goals, development of cross-cutting and interagency policy and 
strategic problem solving; the coordination and development of cross-
cutting budget and legislative proposals across ECD, OHS, and OCC; and 
administering cross-cutting early childhood programs including 
Preschool Development Grants Birth to Five.
    C. Tribal Early Childhood Division (KYB): The Tribal Early 
Childhood Division is responsible for advising the DAS and the ADAS on 
matters relating to tribes and tribal early childhood programs, 
supporting collaboration across early childhood programs as it relates 
to Tribes, and engagement with Tribal leaders. The division administers 
the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) 
program.
    D. Budget Division (KYC): The Budget Division is responsible for 
budget execution and budget analysis to inform decision making, 
spending plans, and

[[Page 32229]]

proposals across ECD, OHS, and OCC with the leadership of each office. 
The budget team also ensures budgetary resources are used in a manner 
consistent with appropriations and are not over spent or obligated 
beyond appropriate limits, prepares financial reports, and reviews 
financial operating plans. The Budget Division will coordinate closely 
with staff with budget formulation, planning, and policy 
responsibilities in OCC, OHS, and ECD.
    E. Administrative Operations Division (KYD): The Administrative 
Operations Division is responsible for providing administrative and 
human resource support to ECD, OCC, and OHS. The division is 
responsible for recruitment, hiring and onboarding, timekeeping and 
personnel actions. In addition, the division handles travel 
administration, professional development opportunities, and equipment 
and supplies management. The Administrative Operations Division 
coordinates closely with the OCC and OHS Deputy Directors and Associate 
Deputy Directors to ensure the administrative needs for each program 
office are met.

II. Delete Chapter KU, Office of Head Start, in its Entirety and 
Replace it With the Following

    KU.00 Mission. The Office of Head Start (OHS) has primary 
responsibility for the overall direction, policy, budget planning and 
development, and administration and oversight of Head Start program 
operations authorized under the Head Start Act. OHS identifies 
legislative and budgetary requirements; identifies areas for research, 
demonstration, and developmental activities; presents operational 
planning objectives and initiatives relating to Head Start to the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development; and 
oversees the progress of approved activities.
    KU.10 Organization. OHS is headed by a Director, who reports to the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development. OHS is 
organized as follows:

Office of the Director (KUA)
Program Operations Division (KUB)
Head Start Regional Offices (KUBDI-XII)
Policy and Planning Division (KUE)
Competitive Grants Division (KUF)
Contracts Division (KUG)
Oversight Division (KUH)
Comprehensive Services, Training and Technical Assistance Division 
(KUI)

    KU.20 Functions
    A. Office of the Director (KUA): The Office of the Director (OD) is 
responsible for leading the office to ensure OHS fulfills its statutory 
responsibilities and programmatic objectives. The Director serves as 
the primary official responsible for all aspects of the administration 
of discretionary grant programs providing Head Start services. The OD 
has overall responsibility for policy and budget development specific 
to Head Start, strategic planning and setting operational goals, and 
management and oversight of the Head Start program. The OD also 
responds to inquiries from the public and governmental and non-
governmental leaders.
    The Deputy Director reports to and assists the Director in carrying 
out the responsibilities of OHS and performs the duties of the Director 
when absent. The Deputy Director and Associate Deputy Director of Head 
Start collaborate to support the mission of Head Start; manage the day-
to-day operations of OHS; share supervision and management 
responsibilities for the OHS Division Directors, and other OD staff; 
and coordinate with and provide direction to the ECD Budget and 
Administrative Operations Divisions to manage the budget and 
administrative needs of OHS. The Associate Deputy Director reports to 
the Deputy Director and performs the duties of the Deputy Director when 
the Deputy Director is absent.
    B. Program Operations Division (KUB): The Program Operations 
Division is responsible for providing oversight, direction, and 
guidance to the Head Start Regional Offices, providing ongoing 
management of national Head Start program operations, and managing Head 
Start program-level data systems. The division serves as OHS liaison to 
the ACF Office of Grants Management.
    C. Head Start Regional Offices (KUBDI-XII): The Head Start Regional 
Offices are each headed by a Regional Program Manager (RPM). Head Start 
Regional Offices are responsible for administering funding, ongoing 
oversight and monitoring, and training and technical assistance to the 
grant recipient agencies that provide services to Head Start children 
and families; providing ongoing management of Regional Head Start 
program operations, including State Collaboration grants, and liaising 
within each Region to the Office of Child Care and the Office of Grants 
Management. Regions I through X are located in the ACF geographical 
regions. Region XI, American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start, located 
at the OHS central office, administers grants for American Indian and 
Alaskan Native Head Start grantees. Region XII, Migrant and Seasonal 
Head Start, located at the OHS central office, administers grants for 
agencies that serve the children and families of migrant and seasonal 
farm workers.
    D. Policy and Planning Division (KUE): The Policy and Planning 
Division is responsible for overseeing the development and issuance of 
policy, regulations, program guidance, and documents governing Head 
Start. The division is responsible for legislative issues and budget 
formulation in coordination with ECD and consistent with ACF early 
childhood priorities. The division oversees activities for 
implementation of major policy, legislative regulatory and budget new 
initiatives and prepares materials in response to Congressional 
inquiries.
    E. Division of Competitive Grants (KUF): The Competitive Grants 
Division is responsible for overseeing matters related to competitive 
discretionary and cooperative agreement funding opportunities, managing 
all competitive discretionary grant processes, and managing OHS interim 
grantees and grant recipient transitions. The division works with other 
ACF offices on matters related to competitive discretionary funding.
    F. Contracts Division (KUG): The Contracts Division is responsible 
for ongoing oversight and monitoring of OHS contracts and providing 
expert technical assistance and guidance to OHS contract officer 
representatives on all matters related to procurement and acquisition. 
The division serves as a liaison to the Contracts Offices.
    G. Oversight Division (KUH): The Oversight Division is responsible 
for activities to determine Head Start programs' compliance, quality 
improvement, and performance with all applicable requirements and 
regulations and conducting data analyses on monitoring outcomes. The 
division responds to inquiries from the Office of Inspector General 
(OIG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
    H. Comprehensive Services, Training and Technical Assistance 
Division (KUI): The Comprehensive Services, Training, and Technical 
Assistance (CSTTA) Division is responsible for: providing content 
expertise and leadership on comprehensive services; overseeing the 
training and technical assistance (TTA) system, including coordination 
and oversight of TTA cooperative agreements, and contracts, and 
providing expertise, consultation, and coordination to the Head Start 
Regional Offices. The division translates research to practice and 
evaluation by collaborating with other HHS offices and the broader 
scientific community.

[[Page 32230]]

III. Delete Chapter KV, Office of Child Care, in its Entirety and 
Replace With the Following

    KV.00 Mission. The Office of Child Care (OCC) has primary 
responsibility for the overall direction, policy, implementation, 
budget planning and development, and oversight of child care program 
operations authorized under the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
(CCDBG) and section 418 of the Social Security Act. OCC supports state, 
tribal, and territorial grantees' efforts to provide child care 
subsidies to families with low incomes, improve the quality of child 
care for all children, support a high-quality and well-compensated 
workforce, and support a strong child care system able to meet the 
needs of children and families. OCC provides leadership and 
coordination for child care issues within ACF, HHS, and with relevant 
federal, state, local, and tribal governmental and non-governmental 
organizations.
    KV.10 Organization. OCC is headed by a Director who reports to the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development. OCC is 
organized as follows:

Office of the Director (KVA)
Training and Technical Assistance Division (KVA1)
Program Operations Division (KVA2)
Oversight and Accountability Division (KVA3)
Policy, Data, and Planning Division (KVA4)
Child Care Regional Offices (KVADI-X)

    KV.20 Functions.
    A. Office of the Director (KVA): The Office of the Director (OD) is 
responsible for leading the Program Office to ensure OCC fulfills its 
statutory responsibilities and programmatic objectives. The OD is 
responsible for the overall management, oversight, and policy and 
budget development specific to child care programs and for the 
supervision of the OCC Division Directors. The OD is also responsible 
for strategic planning and setting operational goals, planning 
initiatives to support strong implementation of CCDF and other 
initiatives that support a child care sector that meets the 
developmental needs of children and supports families and child care 
providers. The OD also responds to inquiries from the public and 
governmental and non-governmental leaders.
    The Deputy Director and Associate Deputy Director report to the 
Director and manage the day-to-day operations of OCC; share supervision 
and management responsibilities for the OCC Division Directors, the 
Director of Regional Operations, and other OD staff; coordinate with 
and provide direction to the ECD Budget and Administrative Operations 
divisions to manage the budget and administrative needs of OCC; assist 
the Director in carrying out the duties of the OD; and perform the 
duties of the Director when absent.
    B. Training and Technical Assistance Division (KVA1): The Training 
and Technical Assistance Division is responsible for overseeing the TTA 
system including coordination and oversight of technical assistance 
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. The division also 
oversees publications to support CCDF lead agencies and OCC priorities 
and coordinates with the other divisions in OCC on content related to 
program implementation, monitoring, policy, interagency agreements, and 
websites.
    C. Program Operations Division (KVA2): The Program Operations 
Division is responsible for supporting the development, management, and 
oversight of CCDF plans, plan amendments, and waiver requests, to 
support compliance with federal law and regulation. The division works 
in partnership with regional program staff to facilitate responses to 
issues and questions on program implementation, policy, and other 
issues. The division is also responsible for analyzing information 
related to grantee program implementation.
    D. Oversight and Accountability Division (KVA3): The Oversight and 
Accountability Division is responsible for monitoring grantees for 
compliance in the implementation of CCDF plans, and for programmatic 
and fiscal compliance with federal law, policies, and regulations. The 
division manages the program integrity and accountability oversight 
program, including audits, improper payments, error rates, and 
corrective actions. The division responds to inquiries from the Office 
of Inspector General (OIG) and Government Accountability Office (GAO).
    E. Policy, Data, and Planning Division (KVA4): The Policy, Data, 
and Planning Division is responsible for overseeing development and 
issuance of policies, regulations, and other policy guidance. The 
division is responsible for legislative issues and budget formulation 
in coordination with ECD and consistent with ACF early childhood 
priorities. The division oversees activities for implementation of 
major policy, legislative, regulatory and budget new initiatives and 
prepares materials in response to Congressional inquiries. The division 
also oversees collection of state, territory, and tribal grantee data 
and reports and reviews and analyzes grantee data and performance 
measures.
    F. Child Care Regional Offices (KVADI-X): Each of the ten OCC 
Regional Offices is headed by an OCC Regional Program Manager (RPM) who 
reports to the Director of Regional Operations within the OCC Office of 
the Director. OCC Regional Offices are responsible for ongoing 
oversight and monitoring, and technical assistance and working to 
resolve issues to bring all Lead Agencies in their region in full 
compliance with federal law, regulations, and policy. The RPM is 
responsible for liaising within each Region to the Office of Head Start 
and maintaining relationships with state, territory, tribal, and local 
officials.

V. 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.

VI. Delegation of Authority

    All delegations and re-delegations of authority made to officials 
and employees of affected organizational components will continue in 
them, or their successors, pending further re-delegations, provided 
they are consistent with this reorganization.

VII. 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.

Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2023-10072 Filed 5-18-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P