Administration for Children and Families October 28, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), invites public comments to inform the use or adoption of interoperability standards for human services programs. ACF and state, local, and tribal governments all provide a number of health and human services programs for children, youth, families, communities, and individuals. ACF seeks public comment on the most effective approaches, technical standards, and technological tools that currently or could promote interoperability between health and human services programs. ACF collaborates with the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ ONC) as a critical steward and advisor for human services interoperability with responsibility for leading the development and harmonization of interoperability standards between health and human services in line with the HHS Data Strategy. The potential of interoperability across the full spectrum of health and human services is immenseit can enable efficient delivery of government services, enhance access to critical non-profit programs, and most importantly, improve overall individual and community outcomes. ACF has authority under the Title IV of the Social Security Act to designate use of interoperable data standards for several of its programs (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child support, child welfare, and foster care). The purpose of this RFI is to understand how ACF, in collaboration with ASTP/ONC, can better support interoperability between human services within and across states and local community resources, between states, and ACF.