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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7787-7788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4182]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation; Statement of 
Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

    This Notice amends Part K, Chapter 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 KM, The Office of Planning, Research 
and Evaluation (OPRE) (60 FR 56606) as last amended, November 9, 1995. 
This reorganization will establish the Division of Data Collection and 
Analysis within the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation.
    Amend Chapter KM as follows:
    1. Delete KM.00 Mission in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KM.00 Mission. The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 
(OPRE) is the principal advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Policy

[[Page 7788]]

and External Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of programs 
designed to make measurable improvements in the economic and social 
well-being of children and families.
    The Office provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance, and 
oversight to ACF programs and across programs in the agency on: 
strategic planning aimed at measurable results; performance 
measurement; research and evaluation methodologies; demonstration 
testing and model development; statistical, policy and program 
analysis; synthesis and dissemination of research and demonstration 
findings; and application of emerging technologies to improve the 
effectiveness of programs and service delivery. The Office also is 
responsible for the collection, compilation, analysis, and 
dissemination of data.
    The Office oversees and manages the section 1110 and section 1115 
social service research programs, including: priority setting and 
analysis; processing waivers for welfare reform demonstrations; 
managing and coordinating major cross-cutting, leading-edge studies and 
special initiatives; collaborating with states, communities, 
foundations, professional organizations and others to promote the 
development of children, family focused services, parental 
responsibility, employment, and economic independence; and providing 
coordination and leadership in implementing the Government Performance 
and Results Act (GPRA).
    2. Delete KM.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KM.10 Organization. The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 
is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Policy and External Affairs. The Office is organized as follows:
     Office of the Director (KMA)
     Division of Economic Independence (KMB)
     Division of Child and Family Development (KMC)
     Division of Data Collection and Analysis (KMD)
    3. Delete KM.20 Functions in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KM.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Director provides direction 
and executive leadership to OPRE in administering its responsibilities. 
It serves as principal advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Policy and External Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Children 
and Families on all matters pertaining to: improving the effectiveness 
and efficiency of ACF programs; strategic planning; performance 
measurement; program and policy evaluation; research and 
demonstrations; state and local innovations and progress; collection, 
analysis, and dissemination of data; and public/private partnership 
initiatives of concern to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families. It represents the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and 
External Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families 
at various planning, research, evaluation and data collection and 
analysis forums and carries out special Departmental and Administration 
initiatives.
    B. The Division of Economic Independence, in cooperation with ACF 
income support programs and others, works with Federal counterparts, 
states, community agencies, and the private sector to understand and 
overcome barriers to economic independence; promote parental 
responsibility; and assist in improving the effectiveness of programs 
that further economic independence.
    The Division provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance and 
oversight in ACF on: strategic planning and performance measurement for 
economic independence; statistical, policy and program analysis; 
surveys, research, and evaluation methodologies; demonstration testing 
and model development; synthesis and dissemination of research and 
demonstration findings; and application of emerging technologies to 
programs which promote employment, parental responsibility, and 
economic independence.
    The Division analyzes, processes and coordinates Federal review and 
decision-making for all section 1115 state welfare reform waiver 
demonstration requests; develops policy-relevant priorities; conducts, 
manages and coordinates major cross-program, leading-edge research, 
demonstrations, and evaluation studies; manages and conducts 
statistical, policy and program analyses on trends in employment, child 
support payments, and other income supports; and works in partnership 
with states, communities, and the private sector to promote employment, 
parental responsibility, and family economic independence.
    C. The Division of Child and Family Development, in cooperation 
with ACF programs and others, works with Federal counterparts, states, 
community agencies, and the private sector to: improve the 
effectiveness and efficiency of programs; assure the protection of 
children and other vulnerable populations; strengthen and promote 
family stability; and foster sound growth and development of children 
and their families.
    The Division provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance and 
oversight in ACF on: Strategic planning and performance measurement for 
child and family development; statistical, policy and program analysis; 
surveys, research and evaluation methodologies; demonstration testing 
and model development; synthesis and dissemination of research and 
demonstration findings; and application of emerging technologies to 
improve the effectiveness of programs and service delivery.
    The Division: Manages the section 1110 social service research 
budget; develops policy-relevant priorities; conducts, manages and 
coordinates major cross-program, leading-edge research, demonstration, 
and evaluation studies; manages and conducts statistical, policy and 
program analyses on social trends and behaviors which impact child and 
family well-being; and works in partnership with states, local 
communities, and the private sector to promote the well-being of 
children and families.
    D. The Division of Data Collection and Analysis is responsible for 
all aspects of the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination 
of data on selected ACF programs.
    The Division develops regulations to implement data collection 
requirements; designs, develops, implements, and maintains systems for 
the collection and analysis of data including: Participation rate 
information, recipient characteristics, administrative data, State 
expenditures on families, work activities of non-custodial parents, 
transitional services, and data used in the assessment of State 
performance.
    The Division provides leadership in and coordinates with other ACF 
and HHS offices and external organizations in the dissemination and use 
of these data for policy and research purposes. The Division also 
develops and maintains statistical protocols and manuals for data 
collection purposes and provides technical assistance in the use of 
these materials.

    Dated: February 13, 1997.
Laurence J. Love,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-4182 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
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