[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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