The statutory language contains very general guidance for states on what are considered appropriate activities to be carried out with the grant funds. Eligible activities include but are not limited to mediation, counseling, education, development of parenting plans, visitation enforcement, and development of guidelines for visitation and alternative custody arrangements. The amount of the grant for each state for a fiscal year will be an amount equal to the lesser of 90 percent of State expenditures during the fiscal year for eligible activities or an allotment. The allotment formula derives from the ratio of the number of children in the state living with only one biological parent in relation to the total number of such children in all states. Within ACF, program administration will reside with the Office of Child Support Enforcement.
States have considerable flexibility in determining appropriate administrative arrangements.
The grants may be used to create or enhance state-run programs or to fund grants or contracts with courts, local public agencies, or nonprofit private entities. Programs do not have to operate statewide. As a first step, we ask that you designate a single state agency with whom we will interact on a continuing basis in launching and carrying out this new responsibility. Again, the choice of agency is a matter within your discretion. Your selection and the name and title of an appropriate official within the designated agency should be communicated in writing at your earliest convenience to David Gray Ross, Deputy Director of our Office of Child Support Enforcement at 901 D street SW, 4th Floor Washington D.C. 20447.