Administration for Children and Families 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is proposing to collect data from Eligible Afghan Arrivals (EAAs) in need of direct legal services through Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals (ILSAA) to determine eligibility.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposes to extend data collection under the existing overarching generic clearance for Formative Data Collections for ACF Research and Evaluation (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970-0356). There are no changes proposed to the terms of the overarching generic.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish a new umbrella generic clearance to request information while engaging individuals and groups who could provide valuable information to inform ACF programs and work, including but not limited to those who are served or have been served by ACF, those with expertise in ACF program areas, and individuals invested in the outcomes of ACF research and evaluation. These engagement activities often need to be conducted quickly, to allow for sufficient time to inform project direction and decision-making. Additionally, planning for engagement activities is most often on a quick timeline and the standard timeline to comply with a full request under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) often inhibits the ability to collect information to inform these activities. Therefore, an umbrella generic is necessary to allow for quick turnaround requests for similar information collections related to these activities.

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) and the Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) request an extension without changes to a currently approved information collection activity as part of the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program Performance Analysis Study (PAS). The goal of the study is to collect, analyze, and report on performance measures data for the SRAE program (OMB Control No. 0970-0536; expiration date 12/31/2023). The purpose of the requested extension is to continue the ongoing data collection and submission of the performance measures by SRAE grantees. Materials under the submission will be updated to reflect only surveys currently in use.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), seeks an update to the existing data collection for the form ORR-5: Refugee Data Submission System for Formula Funds Allocations and Service Analysis (OMB#: 0970-0043, expiration 4/30/ 2024) and requests an extension of approval for three years. Minor changes to the form ORR-5 include the addition of the following two data elements: client email address and client phone number. ACF estimates the proposed changes will not increase response burden.

The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks approval to conduct a nationally representative survey of Early Head Start (EHS) grant recipients regarding their recruitment, hiring, and professional development practices.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), invites public comments on the possibilities for design and implementation of the new pilot program and work outcomes measures of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The FRA requires HHS to carry out a pilot program for up to five states to promote accountability by measuring employment and earnings outcomes as well as additional indicators of family stability and well-being for TANF recipients. In addition, it requires all states to report the information necessary to calculate certain statutory work outcomes measures. ACF seeks input from partners to help understand some of the options, opportunities, and potential challenges associated with the development and implementation of the pilot program and the reporting of new statutory work outcomes measures applicable to all states.

We propose to add new requirements to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to support and stabilize the Head Start workforce, including requirements for wages and benefits, breaks for staff, and enhanced supports for staff health and wellness. We also propose to enhance several existing requirements and add new requirements to promote consistent quality of services across Head Start programs. This includes proposed enhancements to requirements for mental health services to better integrate these services into every aspect of programs as well as elevate the role of mental health consultation to support the well-being of children, families, and staff. Enhancements are also proposed in the areas of family service, worker family assignments, identifying and meeting community needs, ensuring child safety, services for pregnant women and people, and alignment with State early childhood systems. Finally, we propose minor clarifications to existing standards to promote better transparency and clarity of understanding for grant recipients.

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSE), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is requesting the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend approval of the Multistate Financial Institution (MSFIDM) Data Match with Federally Assisted State Transmitted (FAST) Levy, without changes, for an additional three years. The current OMB approval expires January 31, 2024.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is requesting a 3-year extension of the State Plan for Grants to States for Refugee Resettlement (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0351, expiration 6/30/2024). ORR is proposing changes to the form.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to collect nationally representative survey data to learn more about where parents look for and find information about Child Care and Early Education (CCEE); how parents assess the people, places, or things that may offer CCEE information; what types of CCEE information parents look for; and how parents use information to select CCEE. The study aims to gather information that may be used by Child Care Lead Agencies to inform their consumer education efforts.

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is altering an existing department wide system of records, ``Records About Restricted Dataset Requesters,'' System Number 09-90-1401, to add records maintained by HHS' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and to make other changes, including changing the system of records name to ``Records About Requesters of Restricted Datasets.'' This system of records covers records about individuals within and outside HHS who request restricted datasets and software products from HHS (e.g., for health-related scientific research and study purposes), when HHS maintains the requester records in a system from which they are retrieved directly by an individual requester's name or other personal identifier.

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting proposed revisions to an approved information collection the Tribal Child Support Enforcement Direct Funding Requests(Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970- 0218, expiration March 31, 2026). We are proposing a new requirement for tribes or tribal organizations to provide that charging fees and recovering costs will not be permitted.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) intends to request from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an extension of approval for an umbrella generic clearance for information collections related to ACF program office monitoring activities. ACF programs promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. The Generic for ACF Program Monitoring Activities allows ACF program offices to collect standardized information from recipients that receive federal funds to ensure oversight, evaluation, support purposes, and stewardship of federal funds. There are no changes proposed to the terms of the generic. Burden estimates have been updated.

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) and the Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) request an extension without changes to a currently approved information collection activity as part of the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program Performance Analysis Study (PAS). The goal of the study is to collect, analyze, and report on performance measures data for the SRAE program (OMB Control No. 0970-0536; expiration date 12/31/2023). The purpose of the requested extension is to continue the ongoing data collection and submission of the performance measures by SRAE grantees. Materials under the submission will be updated to reflect only surveys currently in use.

The Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is requesting expedited review of an information collection request from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and inviting public comments on the proposed collection. OHSEPR's Disaster Human Services Intake Assessment, Resource Referral, and Case Management Plan collection is part of a system of tools that OHSEPR utilizes to support disaster survivors during response missions. ACF is requesting immediate approval for this information collection but also requesting comments to inform any updates prior to requesting an extension of approval within six months.

This NPRM proposes to adopt and replace regulations relating to the key aspects of the placement, care, and services provided to unaccompanied children referred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), pursuant to ORR's responsibilities for coordinating and implementing the care and placement of unaccompanied children who are in Federal custody by reason of their immigration status under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). ORR intends to promulgate a final rule that would establish a foundation for the Unaccompanied Children Program (UC Program) that is consistent with its statutory duties, for the benefit of unaccompanied children and to enhance public transparency as to the policies governing the operation of the UC Program. ORR also proposes this rule for the purpose of implementing the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA), which remains in effect as a court-ordered consent decree to which the UC Program is subject. As modified in 2001, the FSA provides that it will terminate forty-five days after publication of final regulations implementing the agreement. ORR anticipates that any termination of the settlement based on the adoption of this proposal as a final rule would only be effective for those provisions that affect ORR and would not terminate provisions of the FSA for other Federal Government agencies.

ACF proposes to amend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program regulations to strengthen the safety net and reduce administrative burden. This NPRM encompasses a package of reforms to ensure TANF programs are designed and funds are used in accordance with the statute. In addition, the package includes provisions that are more technical in nature and are designed to reduce administrative burden and increase program effectiveness.

OCS announces the intent to award a supplement in the amount of up to $3.6 million ($1.2 million per year for 3 fiscal years at $400,000 per individual award) to three Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) award recipients under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Regional Performance and Innovation Consortia (RPIC) (HHS-2019-ACF-OCS- ET-1582, HHS-2019-ACF-OCS-ET-1586, and HHS-2019-ACF-OCS-ET-1587). The purpose of the RPIC awards is to support robust regional training and technical (T/TA) strategies for the CSBG Networkstates, territories, directly-funded tribes and tribal organizations, and CSBG-eligible entities, and state associations within the 10 ACF regions. The RPICs are designed to assist in meeting high organizational standards in the areas of consumer input and involvement, community engagement, community assessment, organizational leadership, board governance, strategic planning, human resource management, financial operations and oversight, and data and analysis. In addition, the RPICs identify, promote, and support multiyear T/TA efforts to ensure high-quality programs and services and impactful outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

ACF proposes to allow a title IV-E agency to claim Federal financial participation (FFP) for the administrative cost of an attorney providing: legal representation in foster care proceedings of a title IV-E agency or any other public agency or tribe that has an agreement in effect under which the other agency has placement and care responsibility of a title IV-E eligible child; independent legal representation of a child who is either a candidate for title IV-E foster care, or in title IV-E foster care (hereafter, referred to as a child ``who is eligible for title IV-E foster care''), the child's parent(s), and the child's relative caregiver(s) in foster care and other civil legal proceedings when such legal representation is found necessary by the Secretary to carry out the requirements in the title IV-E agency's title IV-E foster care plan; and legal representation of an Indian child's tribe, when the child's tribe intervenes in any state court proceeding for the foster care placement or termination of parental rights of an Indian child who is in title IV-E foster care or an Indian child who is a candidate for title IV-E foster care when such legal representation is found necessary by the Secretary to carry out the requirements in the title IV-E agency's title IV-E foster care plan.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Service (OCS), Division of Energy Assistance announces a preliminary determination that funds from the Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are available for reallotment to States, Territories, Tribes, and Tribal organizations that received FFY 2023 direct LIHEAP grants. The purpose of this award is to redistribute FFY 2022 annual LIHEAP funds that grant recipients were unable to obligate or carry over to FFY 2023. No sub-recipients of these grant recipients or other entities may apply for these funds.

The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) is accepting mandatory formula grant applications and State plans from States and Territories for the development of and implementation for Title V State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program. The Title V State SRAE Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the application requirements for recipients. This request is to extend Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the request for information. No changes are proposed.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting to extend approval of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data Reporting for Work Participation, with proposed revisions. Revisions are intended to improve the clarity of the instructions, streamline reporting, and ensure all instructions are up- to-date.

The Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is proposing to collect data for a new process and outcome study, Strengthening Child Welfare Systems to Achieve Expected Child and Family Outcomes (SCWS) Evaluation.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeks approval to collect information to explore the role of Head Start in the early care and education (ECE) financing landscape, as well as how the use of multiple funding sources within a single Head Start program may be associated with the provision of Head Start's comprehensive services and with state-level differences in ECE funding. Survey data will be collected from Head Start program directors and state government administrators.