[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 131 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 35770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17283]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance


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 KH, The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) (60 FR 
2766), as last amended, January 11, 1995. This Notice reflects the 
OFA'S new structure, which refocuses efforts to meet performance goals 
of economic independence for families and healthy development of 
children. Specifically, delete Chapter KH in its entirety, and replace 
it 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 public assistance and economic self-sufficiency 
programs. The Office provides leadership, direction and technical 
guidance to the nationwide administration of the following programs: 
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC); Aid to the Aged, Blind 
and Disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; the Emergency 
Assistance Program (EA); and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills 
Training Program (JOBS). OFA develops, recommends and issues policies, 
procedures and interpretations to provide direction to these programs. 
It provides direction and guidance in the collection and dissemination 
of performance and other valuative data for these programs. The Office 
provides technical assistance to States, territories, Indian Tribes and 
Native American organizations, and assesses their performance in 
administering these programs; reviews state planning for administrative 
and operational improvements; and recommends actions to improve 
effectiveness. Reviews, approves and monitors research and 
demonstration projects to achieve welfare reform; directs reviews; and 
provides consultations and conducts necessary negotiations to achieve 
effective public assistance programs.
    KH.10  Organization. The Office of Family Assistance is headed by a 
Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families. The Office is organized as follows:
    Office of the Director (KHA)
    Division of Self-Sufficiency Programs (KHB)
    Division of Performance Measurement (KHC)
    KH.20  Functions A. The Office of the Director is directly 
responsible to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families for 
carrying out OFA's mission and providing direction, leadership, 
guidance and general supervision to the principal components of OFA. 
The Office is headed by the Director for Family Assistance. The Deputy 
Director assists the Director in carrying out the responsibilities of 
the Office. The Executive Officer assists the Director, Deputy Director 
and OFA Divisions in providing general oversight of management, 
administrative and personnel activities and in coordinating the 
formulation and execution of program and administrative budgets.
    B. The Division of Self-Sufficiency Programs (DSS) provides 
direction and guidance in the nationwide administration of the Aid to 
Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Aid to the Aged, Blind and 
Disabled, Emergency Assistance and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills 
Training (JOBS) Programs under the Social Security Act. The Division 
proposes legislation and implements national policy, develops 
regulations to implement new laws and prepares policy interpretations. 
The Division provides technical assistance to States, territories, 
Indian Tribes and Native American organizations; assesses their 
performance in administering these programs; and recommends and 
promotes improvements in outcomes for clients. The Division develops 
and implements strategies to assist grantees in implementing and 
improving their self-sufficiency programs. DSS identifies effective 
practices and shares information through conferences, technology 
transfers, publications, the Internet and resource networks. The 
Division ensures compliance with Federal laws and regulations and 
promotes cross-program policy initiatives to support work, personal 
responsibility and family-focused services.
    C. The Division of Performance Measurement (DPM) is responsible for 
the identification, development, collection, and dissemination of a 
core set of national performance data elements in support of AFDC/JOBS 
self-sufficiency and other program goals. The Division formulates, 
develops, and conducts special studies/projects in coordination with 
States, other grantees and other ACF components and provides 
evaluations of waivers of program rules as appropriate. Compiles, 
analyzes, and evaluates program and administrative data on the AFDC/
JOBS program. DPM develops and maintains data collection protocols, 
specifications and procedures including issuing regulations, manuals, 
guidance, and providing training as necessary.

    Dated: July 2, 1996.
Mary Jo Bane,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 96-17283 Filed 7-5-96; 8:45 am]
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