Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

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: K, Administration for Children and Families (62 FR 4295),

as last amended, January 29, 1997; KA, the Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Children and Families (62 FR 4295), as last amended,

January 29, 1997; Chapter KL, the Office of Staff Development and

Organizational Resources (OSDOR), (62 FR 4295), as last amended,

January 29, 1997; Chapter KM, the Office of Planning, Research and

Evaluation (OPRE), (62 FR 7787), as last amended, February 20, 1997;

Chapter KN, the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), (60 FR 40586) as last

amended, August 9, 1995; Chapter KP, the Office of Program Support

(OPS), (62 FR 4295), as last amended, January 29, 1997; Chapter KS,

Equal Employment Opportunities/Civil Rights and Special Initiatives

Staff (EEO/CR&SI), (60 FR 58628), as last amended, November 28, 1995;

Chapter KT, Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget (OLAB), (62 FR

4295), as last amended, January 29, 1997; Chapter KU, Office of Human

Resource Management (OHRM), (62 FR 4295), as last amended, January 29,

1997; and Chapter KV, Office of Administrative Services and Facilities

Management (OASFM), (62 FR 4295), as last amended, January 29, 1997.

This realignment of staff offices will combine the fiscal and support

functions under the purview of a newly created position of Deputy

Assistant Secretary for Administration (formerly the Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Program Operations) and establish the Office of

Intergovernmental Affairs under the Office of the Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Policy and External Affairs.

These Chapters are amended as follows:

I. Chapter K.10 Organization. Delete K.10 Organization 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 (DHHS). 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 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, the Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, and Staff and Program

Offices. ACF is organized as follows:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families

(KA)

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and

External Affairs (KL)

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration

(KP)

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (KB)

Administration on Developmental Disabilities (KC)

Regional Offices for Children and Families (KD 1-X)

Administration for Native Americans (KE)

Office of Child Support Enforcement (KF)--(which will remain

as a separate organizational unit)

Office of Community Services (KG)

Office of Family Assistance (KH)

Office of Regional Operations (KJ)

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (KM)

Office of Public Affairs (KN)

Office of Refugee Resettlement (KR)

Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget (KT)

II. Chapter KA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Children and

Families.

A. Amend KA.10 Organization. Delete Executive Secretariat Office

(KAB).

B. Delete KA.20 Functions, Paragraph A, in its entirety and

replace with the following:

KA.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Assistant Secretary is

responsible to the Secretary for carrying out ACF's mission and

provides executive supervision to the major components of ACF.

These responsibilities include providing executive leadership and

direction to plan and coordinate ACF program activities to assure their

effectiveness, approving instructions, policies, publications, and

grant awards issued by ACF, and representing ACF in relationships with

governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Assistant

Secretary for Children and Families also serves as the Director of the

Office of Child Support Enforcement, and signs official Child Support

Enforcement documents as the Assistant Secretary for Children and

Families. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary serves as alter ego

to the Assistant Secretary on program matters and acts in the absence

of the Assistant Secretary.

III. Delete Chapter KL, ``The Office of Staff Development and

Organizational Resources,'' retitle it as the ``Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Policy and External Affairs'' and replace with the

following:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs

KL.00 Mission

KL.10 Organization

KL.20 Functions

KL.00 Mission. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and

External Affairs serves as the principal advisor and counsel to the

Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on all aspects of

legislation, policy and intergovernmental affairs.

KL.10 Organization. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and

External Affairs reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and

Families. The Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and

External Affairs (KLA)

Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (KLB)

KL.20 Functions A. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary

for Policy and External Affairs. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Policy and External Affairs serves as the principal advisor and counsel

to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on all aspects of

legislation, policy, and intergovernmental affairs. The Deputy

Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs develops broad

policy strategies and concepts pertaining to on-going and anticipated

program issues and recommends legislation relevant to ACF programs. The

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs represents

the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on intergovernmental

matters, and in contacts and negotiations with Congressional members

and staff and executives of agencies and

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organizations. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External

Affairs provides executive leadership and direction to the Office of

Legislative Affairs and Budget and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

B. The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (OIA) serves as the

focal point for intergovernmental coordination activities with other

federal agencies, state and local officials, special interest groups,

professional and business organizations, and private and voluntary

groups. It tracks plans, proposals, legislative positions, conferences

and other activities of outside groups that influence or affect ACF's

programs and policies. It responds to requests for information from

outside groups on ACF's programs and positions. It plans, organizes and

coordinates conferences, workshops and other events to promote ACF's

programs and priorities, and it coordinates ACF's participation at

meetings and conferences sponsored by outside groups. It manages the

speaker request system. It provides advance planning and preparation

for trips by the Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant

Secretary, and Deputy Assistant Secretaries for ACF including speaking

engagements. The Office serves as a focal point for ACF's international

activities and provides policy advice and staff support to the

Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on international issues

concerned with human services; coordinates ACF's participation in

special international initiatives; prepares or coordinates preparation

of position papers for U.S. delegations to international organizations

(e.g. United Nations (UN), UNICEF, Organization of American States

(OAS), and the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research);

arranges professional development programs for foreign visitors;

develops and manages international research and comparative studies;

and manages international travel by ACF staff.

IV. Delete Chapter KM, ``The Office of Planning, Research and

Evaluation,'' in its entirety and replace with the following:

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation

KM.00 Mission

KM.10 Organization

KM.20 Functions

KM.00 Mission. The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation

(OPRE) is the principal advisor to 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 is also

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).

KM.10 Organization. The Office of Planning, Research and

Evaluation 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 (KMA)

Division of Economic Independence (KMB)

Division of Child and Family Development (KMC)

Division of Data Collection and Analysis (KMD)

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 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 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

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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.

V. Delete Chapter KN, ``The Office of Public Affairs,'' in its

entirety and replace with the following:

Office of Public Affairs

KN.00 Mission

KN.10 Organization

KN.20 Functions

KN.00 Mission. The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) develops,

directs and coordinates public affairs and communication services for

ACF. It provides leadership, direction and oversight in promoting ACF's

public affairs policies, programs and initiatives. The Office of Public

Affairs also provides printing and distribution services for ACF.

KN.10 Organization. The Office of Public Affairs 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 (KNA)

Division of Public Information (KNB)

Division of Publications Services (KNC)

KN.20 Functions. A. Office of Director provides leadership and

direction to OPA in administering its responsibilities. The Office

provides direction and leadership in the areas of public relations

policy and communications services. It serves as advisor to the

Assistant Secretary for Children and Families in the areas of public

affairs; provides advice on strategies and approaches to be used to

improve public understanding of and access to ACF programs and

policies; and coordinates and serves as ACF liaison with the Assistant

Secretary for Public Affairs. The Office serves as Regional Liaison on

public affairs issues. The Deputy Director assists the Director in

carrying out the responsibilities of the Office.

B. Division of Public Information develops and implements public

affairs strategies to achieve ACF program objectives in coordination

with other ACF components. It coordinates news media relations

strategy; responds to all media inquiries concerning ACF programs and

related issues; develops fact sheets, news releases, feature articles

for magazines and other publications on ACF programs and initiatives;

and manages preparation and clearance of speeches and official

statements on ACF programs. It coordinates regional public affairs

policies and public affairs activities pertaining to ACF programs and

initiatives.

C. Division of Publications Services directs the audio-visual,

publication and printing management systems for ACF. It manages

preparation and clearance of all ACF audio-visual product,

publications, and graphic designs, including planning, budget oversight

and technical support. It provides centralized graphics design services

to ACF. It reviews requests for proposals for contracts and grants

which involve publications, audio-visual materials and/or public

information and education activity.

The Division also provides technical leadership and services in

public information, printing, and mail distribution. Recommends

approaches for meeting internal and external communications needs of

the ACF. Acts as focal point for clearance of all publications and

audio-visual projects whether produced in-house or by contract or

grant.

VI. Delete Chapter KT, ``The Office of Legislative Affairs and

Budget,'' in its entirety and replace with the following:

Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget

KT.00 Mission

KT.10 Organization

KT.20 Functions

KT.00 Mission. The Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget

(OLAB) provides leadership in the development of legislation, budget,

and policy, ensuring consistency in these areas among ACF program and

staff offices, and with ACF and the Department's vision and goals. It

advises the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on all policy

and programmatic matters which substantially impact the agency's

legislative program, budget development, budget execution and

regulatory agenda. The Office serves as the primary ACF contact for the

Department, the Executive Branch, and the Congress on all legislative,

budget development, and regulatory activities.

KT.10 Organization. The Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget

is headed by a Director, who reports to the Assistant Secretary for

Children and Families.

KT.20 Functions. The Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget

serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children

and Families on all policy and programmatic matters which substantially

impact on legislative affairs, budget development, budget execution and

the regulatory agenda; and represents the Assistant Secretary on

budget, policy and legislative materials and activities.

Serves as the primary ACF contact for the Department, the Executive

Branch, and Congress on all budget development and budget execution

activities; manages the development and presentation of ACF's budget;

provides guidance to ACF program and staff components in preparing

material in support of budget development; manages the ACF regulatory

development process; negotiates regulatory policy positions with the

Department and the Executive Branch; provides guidance to ACF programs

and staff components on policy and programmatic matters which

substantially impact the budget and regulatory development process; and

reviews and analyzes other policy significant documents to ensure

consistency with ACF's budget, vision and goals.

Serves as the focal point for congressional liaison in ACF and for

the Office of Assistant Secretary for Legislation; counsels and advises

the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families and senior ACF staff

on congressional activities and relations; manages the preparation of

testimony

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and briefings; negotiates clearance of testimony; monitors hearings and

other congressional activities which affect ACF; and manages

congressional inquiries.

Manages the ACF legislative planning cycle and the development of

Reports to Congress; reviews and analyzes a wide range of Congressional

policy documents including, legislative proposals, pending legislation,

and bill reports; solicits and synthesizes internal ACF comments on

such documents; negotiates legislative policy positions with the

Department and the Executive Branch; and reviews other policy

significant documents to ensure consistency with statutory and

congressional intent and the agency legislative agenda.

Facilitates the preparation of comprehensive administrative

(salaries and expenses) budget for ACF; and designs and develops budget

estimating modes and procedures.

VII. Delete Chapter KP, ``The Office of Program Support,'' retitle

it as the ``Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Administration'' and replace with the following:

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration

KP.00 Mission

KP.10 Organization

KP.20 Functions

KP.00 Mission. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration

serves as principal advisor and counsel to the Assistant Secretary for

Children and Families on all aspects of personnel administration and

management, information resource, financial, grants and procurement

issues, staff development and training activities, organizational

development and organizational analysis, administrative services and

facilities management and state systems. Oversees the Executive

Secretariat Office, the ACF Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil

Rights program and all special initiatives activities for ACF.

KP.10 Organization. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary

for Administration is headed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary who

reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The

Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration

(KPA)

Office of Information Services (KPB)

Office of Financial Services (KPC)

Office of Management Services (KPD)

Office of Customer Service and Administration (KPE)

Office of State Systems (KPF)

Executive Secretariat Office (KPG)

Equal Employment Opportunity/Civil Rights and Special

Initiatives Staff (KPH)

Office of Human Resource Management (KPJ)

Office of Staff Development and Organizational Resources (KPK)

Office of Administrative Services and Facilities Management

(KPL)

KP.20 Functions. A. Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Administration directs and coordinates all administrative activities

for the Administration for Children and Families. The Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Administration serves as ACF's Chief Financial Officer

(CFO); ACF's Chief Grants Management Officer; Federal Manager's

Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) Management Control Officer; Principal

Information Resource Management Official serving as ACF's Chief

Information Officer responsible for implementing the Information

Technology Management Reform Act; and Reports Clearance Officer. The

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration serves as the ACF liaison

to the General Counsel and, as appropriate, initiates action in

securing resolution of legal matters relating to management of the

agency, and represents the Assistant Secretary on all administrative

litigation matters. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration

provides day-to-day executive leadership and direction to the Equal

Employment Opportunity/Civil Rights and Special Initiatives Staff,

Office of Staff Development and Organizational Resources, Office of

Human Resource Management, Office of Administrative Services and

Facilities Management, the Executive Secretariat Office, Office of

Information Services, Office of Financial Services, Office of

Management Services, Office of Customer Services and Administration and

Office of State Systems. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Administration represents the Assistant Secretary in HHS and with other

Federal agencies and task forces in defining objectives and priorities,

and in coordinating activities associated with reinvention and

continuous improvement initiatives.

B. The Office of Information Services (OIS) provides centralized

information technology policy, procedures, standards and guidelines;

develops long-range information resource management (IRM) plans;

develops IRM policy, procurement plans and budget for OIS; develops and

implements procurement strategies for ADP support services; serves as

the Deputy Chief Information Officer supporting ACF's responsibilities

under the Information Technology Management Reform Act; reviews and

analyzes all ADP acquisition documentation for compliance with

applicable laws and regulations as well as for procurement strategy;

coordinates technical assistance provided to program offices on ADP

support services procurement; represents ACF on the Department's IRM

Advisory Council; provides liaison and manages major interdepartmental

IRM initiatives; conducts major information system reviews of ADP

systems as required by the Department; directs and coordinates ACF's

systems security and privacy responsibilities; maintains an ACF-wide

program data inventory; coordinates mandated OMB approvals required

under the Paperwork Reduction Act; and plans, directs and maintains ACF

electronic records management system.

OIS plans, manages, maintains and operates ACF's local area

networks (LANs), national wide-area network (WAN) and personal

computers; provides for equipment and software acquisition, maintenance

and user support for end-user computing; manages and maintains a Help

Desk for ACF users and provides information technology and software

training in coordination with ACF components; develops plans and places

orders for data communications services; provides liaison with HHS, GSA

and private firms on data telecommunications matters; and provides

assistance to ACF components to identify needs for and use of data

telecommunications equipment and systems.

OIS designs, develops, implements and maintains application systems

to support ACF administrative, budget and program systems; provides

technical assistance to ACF program offices procuring system support

services; provides technical assistance on automated systems to state

and local agencies who are users of ACF's Computer Center; and develops

software policy, procedures, standards and guidelines.

C. The Office of Financial Services (OFS) supports the Deputy

Assistant Secretary for Administration in fulfilling ACF's Chief

Financial Officer, Management Control Officer, and Chief Grants Officer

responsibilities including preparation of the CFO 5 Year Plan; performs

audit oversight and liaison activities, including preparing reports to

Congress, Office of the General Counsel and the Office of the Inspector

General. OFS writes/interprets financial policy and researches

appropriation law issues; oversees and coordinates ACF's Federal

Manager's Financial Integrity Act

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(FMFIA) activities; performs debt management functions; and develops

and administers quality assurance, training and certification programs

for grants management; and responsible for the annual preparation and

audit of ACF's financial statement requirements. It develops/interprets

internal policies and procedures for OFS components and coordinates the

management of ACF's interagency agreement activities.

OFS provides agency-wide guidance to program and regional office

staff on grant related issues; including developing and interpreting

financial and grants policy, coordinating strategic grants planning,

facilitating policy advisory groups, and assuring consistent grant

program announcements. OFS prepares, coordinates and disseminates

action transmittals, information memoranda, and other policy guidance

on financial and grants management issues; provides financial and

grants administration training and technical assistance to ACF staff

and grantees; and in coordination with the Office of Management

Services, directs and/or coordinates management initiatives to improve

financial administration of ACF mandatory and discretionary grant

programs. OFS also develops and delivers grants management training to

ACF program and financial staff.

D. The Office of Management Services (OMS) provides centralized

management and administration of acquisitions for ACF headquarters and

regional components; assures that all contracts awarded conform to

applicable statutes, regulations and policies; develops ACF policies,

procedures and instructions for the award and administration of all ACF

acquisitions; reviews and interprets proposed HHS and OMB regulations,

circulares and directives pertaining to acquisition management;

solicits, negotiates, awards, modifies, terminates and closes all

acquisitions issued by ACF; conducts the Small and Disadvantaged

Business Utilization Program; and provides training and technical

assistance to program and staff components on significant acquisition

policies and procedures. OMS serves as the lead for ACF in coordination

and liaison within ACF and with the Department, OMB, GSA and other

federal agencies on procurement management issues and activities.

OMS provides management and technical administration of ACF

discretionary, formula, entitlement and block grants; assures that all

grants awarded by ACF conform with applicable statutes, regulations,

and policies; computes grantee allocations, prepares grant awards,

ensures incorporation of necessary grant terms and conditions, and

monitors grantee expenditures; analyzes financial needs under grant

programs; provides data in support of apportionment requests; prepares

reports and analyses on the grantee's use of funds; maintains liaison

and coordination with appropriate ACF and HHS organizations to ensure

consistency between ACF grant systems and the Department's grant

payment systems; and provides technical assistance to ACF program and

regional components on grant operations and technical grants management

issues; and performs audit resolution activities for ACF grant

programs. OMS serves as the lead for ACF in coordination and liaison

with the Department and other federal agencies on grants management and

administration operational issues and activities.

E. The Office of Customer Service and Administration (OCSA)

develops and maintains a customer service plan for the Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Administration (DASA) and conducts customer surveys for

DASA; facilitates and assists in developing and writing standard

operating procedures for all components within DASA; assists in office-

specific training of DASA staff; assists DASA components with the

provision of office-specific and functional training to program and

regional offices; coordinates permanent and temporary teams formed

within DASA; develops and maintains DASA staff directory and users'

guide for DASA services.

OCSA is responsible for overseeing DASA's salaries and expenses

budget. Provides direction to meet the human resource management needs

within DASA; coordinates with the office which handles ACF's human

resources activities and the Department to provide DASA staff with

personnel services including position management, staffing,

recruitment, employee and labor relations, employee assistance,

payroll, staff development and training, and special hiring and

placement programs; and maintains systems to track personnel actions to

keep the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration and, as

appropriate, the Directors of offices within DASA informed about the

status of personnel actions, current full-time equivalency usage and

salaries and expenses resources, and employee programs and benefits.

All DASA personnel related issues, performance management activities

and other administrative functions within DASA are handled within this

office.

F. The Office of State Systems (OSS) oversees the Department's

responsibilities for Federal financial participation in the funding of

State automated systems. It coordinates ACF's development and

implementation of strategies and policies related to payment integrity,

electronic benefits transfer, welfare systems integration, and related

initiatives and programs. It directs state systems activities on

partnership, collaborative efforts, and technical assistance

activities.

The Office provides leadership for provision of technical

assistance to States on information systems projects; and advances the

use of computer technology in the administration of welfare and social

services programs by States. The Office is responsible for developing

departmental policies and procedures under which States obtain Federal

financial participation in the cost of automated systems development to

support programs funded under the Social Security Act. It serves as the

departmental focal point for the development and implementation of

strategies and policies related to payment integrity, welfare systems

integration and related initiatives and programs; and provides

leadership and guidance to interagency work groups in these areas for

the Department.

The Office reviews, analyzes, and approves/disapproves State

requests for Federal financial participation for automated systems

development activities which support the Child Care, Head Start, Child

Welfare, Foster Care, Social Services, and Refugee Resettlement

programs. It provides assistance to States in developing or modifying

automation plans to conform to Federal requirements. It monitors

approved State systems development activities; conducts periodic

reviews to assure State compliance with regulatory requirements

applicable to automated systems supported by Federal financial

participation. It provides guidance to States on functional

requirements for these automated information systems. It promotes

interstate transfer of existing automated systems and provides

assistance and guidance to improve ACF's programs through the use of

automated systems.

G. The Executive Secretariat Office (ExecSec) ensures that issues

requiring the attention of the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant

Secretaries and/or executive staff are addressed on a timely and

coordinated basis; facilitates decisions on matters requiring immediate

action including White House, congressional and secretarial

assignments. It serves as the ACF liaison with the HHS Executive

Secretariat. It receives, assesses and controls incoming correspondence

and assignments to the

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appropriate ACF component(s) for response and action; provides

assistance and advice to ACF staff on the development of responses to

correspondence and on the controlled correspondence system; coordinates

and/or prepares congressional correspondence; and tracks development of

periodic reports and facilitates departmental clearance. The Director

of the Executive Secretariat Office serves as the Freedom of

Information Act Officer for ACF and coordinates hot line calls received

by the Office of Inspector General and the General Accounting Office on

ACF operations and personnel.

H. The Equal Employment Opportunity/Civil Rights and Special

Initiatives Staff (EEOCR&SI) serves as the principal advisor to the

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration on all aspects of the

Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights program. Serves as the

liaison between ACF and the HHS Office for Civil Rights. Provides

leadership for all special initiative activities for ACF; participates

in pilot projects; and represents ACF on committees which relate to the

functions of the Staff. Manages and coordinates honor awards programs

for ACF.

The Staff directs and manages the ACF Equal Employment Opportunity

and Civil Rights program in accordance with Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations and HHS guidelines. Immediate

oversight is provided by a staff under the direction of the ACF EEO

Officer. Plans, develops, and evaluates programs and procedures

designed to identify and eliminate discrimination in employment,

training, incentive awards, promotion and career opportunities.

Responsible for implementing and evaluating a cost-effective, timely,

and impartial system for processing individual complaints of

discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as

amended. Provides information, guidance, advice, and technical

assistance to ACF supervisors and managers on Affirmative Employment

planning and other means of achieving parity and promoting work force

diversity. Responsible for ensuring that ACF-conducted programs do not

discriminate against recipients on the basis of race, color, national

origin, age or disability. Monitors and implements civil rights

compliance actions under Title VI, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973, as amended and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as

amended. Implements the applicable provisions of the Americans with

Disabilities Act of 1990.

J. The Office of Human Resource Management (OHRM) directs and

manages the personnel operations and services for the Administration

for Children and Families (ACF). Provides advice and assistance to ACF

managers in their personnel management activities including workforce

planning, recruitment, selection, position management, performance

management, and incentive awards. Provides a variety of services to ACF

employees, including provision of employee assistance services and

career, retirement and benefits counseling. Serves as ACF liaison to

the Department on all payroll matters. Provides the following personnel

administrative services: the exercise of appointing authority, position

classification, awards authorization, personnel management evaluation,

personnel action processing and recordkeeping. Manages the merit

promotion, special hiring and placement programs.

Provides leadership, oversight, and coordination for the planning,

analysis, and development of human resource policies and programs.

Serves as liaison between ACF, the Department, and the Office of

Personnel Management. Provides technical advice and assistance on

policy, legal and regulatory matters. Formulates and interprets

policies pertaining to all areas related to personnel administration

and management. Formulates and interprets new human resource programs

and strategies.

Formulates and oversees the implementation of ACF-wide policies,

regulations and procedures concerning all aspects of the Senior

Executive Service (SES), and SES equivalent recruitment, staffing,

position establishment, compensation, award, performance management and

other related personnel areas. Manages the performance recognition

systems and the responsibilities of the Executive Resources Board (ERB)

and the Performance Review Board (PRB). Coordinates the Schedule C and

Executive personnel activity with the Office of the Secretary. Is the

focal point for data, reports, and analyses relating to SES, Schedule C

and other executive personnel, such as those in Executive Level

positions.

Provides management advisory service on all labor management and

employee relations issues. Plans and coordinates ACF-wide employee

relations and labor relations activities, including the application and

interpretation of the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program,

collective bargaining agreements, disciplinary and adverse action

regulations, and appeals. Pursues human relations innovations such as

alternative dispute resolutions and serves as the focal point on all

issues pertaining to the Labor-Management Partnership Council. Provides

leadership in assuring the integrity, effectiveness and impartiality of

ACF's alternative dispute resolution programs, grievances, and merit

systems program. Participates in the formulation and implementation of

policies, practices and matters affecting bargaining unit employees'

working conditions by assuring management's compliance with the Federal

Labor Relations Program (5 U.S.C. Chapter 71).

Administers ACF's personnel security responsibilities and ethics

program. Coordinates the ethics program with the Department's Office of

Special Counsel for Ethics.

K. The Office of Staff Development and Organizational Resources

(OSDOR) provides leadership in directing and managing agency-wide staff

development and training activities for ACF. The Office is responsible

for the functional management of all program, common needs and

management training in the agency, including policy development,

guidance, and technical assistance and evaluation of all aspects of

program, career, employee, supervisory, management, executive and

organizational development. Provides leadership in implementing the

recommendations of the Staff Development and Training Team by managing/

overseeing and monitoring the ACF Training Resource Center and

institutionalizing long-term developmental training for ACF employees.

Support the daily work and special projects of ACF employees by

managing the Information Resource Center (library).

The Office serves as the principal source of advice through the

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Assistant

Secretary on organizational design by collaborating with staff to

develop high-leverage, tailored solutions to achieve measurable

outcomes and to transform the agency to a quality organization that

supports ACF's vision, values and goals. The Office advises the

Assistant Secretary through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Administration on all aspects of ACF organizational analysis including:

planning for new organizational elements; and planning, organizing and

performing studies, analysis and evaluations related to structural,

functional and organizational issues, problems and policies to ensure

organizational effectiveness. Conducts the review process for ACF

[[Page 87]]

reorganization proposals. Acts as liaison with the HHS Office of the

Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget to coordinate

organizational proposals requiring Secretarial approval; prepares

functional statements and official organizational charts. Administers

ACF's system for review, approval, and documentation of delegations of

authority and maintains the guidelines related to the delegations of

authority.

L. The Office of Administrative Services and Facilities Management

(OASFM) directs and manages ACF's administrative support services,

facilities management programs and activities.

Provides agency-wide guidance on administrative issues; prepares,

coordinates and disseminates information, policy, and/or procedural

guidance on administrative and facilities management issues. Directs

and/or coordinates management initiatives to improve ACF administrative

and facilities management services with the goal of continually

improving services while reducing costs.

Maintains budgetary controls on administrative services accounts,

reconciling accounting reports and invoices, and monitoring all

spending. Controls OASFM Visa credit card for small purchases.

Establishes and manages contracts and/or blanket purchase agreements

(BPAs) for administrative support and facilities management services,

including space design, building alteration and repair,

telecommunications, reprographics, physical security, moving, labor,

records and property management and inventory, systems furniture

acquisitions and assembly, fleet management, and the Information

Resource Center (library).

Provides management and oversight of ACF mail delivery services and

activities, including Federal and contractor postal services

nationwide, covering all classes of U.S. Postal Service mail, priority

and express mail services, and courier services, etc.

Directs all activities associated with the ACF Master Housing Plan,

including coordination and development of the agency long-range space

budget; planning, budgeting, identification, solicitation, acceptance

and utilization of office and special purpose space, repairs, and

alterations; principal liaison with General Services Administration

(GSA) and other Federal agencies, building managers and facilities

engineers, architects and commercial representatives, for space

acquisition, negotiation of lease terms, dealing with sensitive issues

such as handicapped barriers, space shortages, and security. Develops

and maintains space floor plans and inventories, directory boards, and

locator signs. OASFM serves as the lead for ACF in coordination and

liaison with Departmental, GSA, Federal Protective Service, and other

Federal agencies on implementation of Federal security directives.

Responsible for planning and executing the Agency's environmental

health, safety, and physical security programs, ensuring that

appropriate occupational health and safety and occupant emergency

evacuation plans are in place. Serves as principal liaison with private

and/or Federal building managers for all administrative services and

facilities management activities. Responsible for issuing, and managing

and controlling badge and cardkey systems to control access to agency

space for security purposes.

Develops and/or implements agency telecommunications management

policy in accordance with Federal regulations and procedures. Reviews

and directs payment of all agency telephone invoices. Recommends and

advises on the design and function of telecommunications systems, based

on user needs, costs and technological availability. Communicates

directly with private industry service providers to coordinate the

acquisition, installation and maintenance of voice/data

telecommunications equipment and systems. Responsible for other sources

of communications capability such as pagers, cellular phone service,

cable TV service, and audio conferencing equipment and service.

Coordinates the implementation of personal video and video

conferencing. Updates and maintains the ACF LAN-based telephone

directory, handles the distribution of all commercial directories, and

updates and maintains the databases for telephone lines, and equipment

inventories.

Plans, manages/operates employee transportation programs, including

shuttle service and fleet management, employee and visitor parking, and

commuter services and programs including transit subsidies and

ridesharing. Develops and implements ACF travel policies and procedures

consistent with Federal requirements. Provides technical assistance and

oversight; coordinates ACF use of the Travel Management System; manages

employee participation in the American Express Credit Card program for

travel.

Purchases and tracks common use supplies, stationery and

publications; manages equipment repair services and reprographics

management activities; controls and maintains equipment and personal

property inventories; develops and coordinates records (paper) and

forms management, and real property activities.

VIII. Within Chapter K, replace the term ``Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Program Operations'' with ``Deputy Assistant Secretary

for Administration.''

Dated: December 24, 1997.

Olivia A. Golden,

Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.

[FR Doc. 97-34217 Filed 12-31-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P