Search Results for agency_names:"Children and Families Administration"

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that requires its regulations to be reviewed periodically, with most regulations set to expire automatically every ten years unless reviewed. This is intended to ensure that regulations stay up-to-date and relevant. The final rule also includes processes for public comments and specifies the criteria for reviews, which include assessing whether the regulations significantly impact small entities, and if they are still necessary or need amendments. Certain regulations, such as those mandated by federal law and the annual Medicare payment update rules, are exempt from these reviews.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting public comments on proposed revisions to the Child Care Improper Payments Data Collection Instructions and is seeking a 3-year extension for these revisions. This involves updates to the data collection instructions and forms, particularly revising estimated burden hours and standardizing error causes to improve the clarity and accuracy of data submissions. Comments must be submitted by March 7, 2025, and are crucial for ensuring that these changes effectively reduce the reporting burden on States while maintaining accurate data on improper payments. The feedback, in particular, will help refine the proposed standardized list of error causes included in the data collection forms.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announced that it is reducing the eligibility period for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) from 12 months to four months. This change will affect refugees who become eligible for ORR benefits 45 days after the notice's publication. The decision was made to prevent budget shortfalls due to high refugee admissions and reduced appropriations. The ORR emphasizes that the duration of assistance is determined by available funds, despite the benefits of longer eligibility periods.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is asking for public comments on extending for three years the use of the Interstate Administrative Subpoena and Notice of Interstate Lien forms, which are due to expire on July 31, 2021. These forms help state agencies collect income information and enforce child support orders across state lines. There will be no changes made to the forms. Feedback is welcomed on their necessity, the accuracy of the burden estimate, the clarity of the information, and suggestions for reducing the response burden, and should be submitted within 60 days of publication.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is looking for public feedback on proposed changes to their data collection process for the ORR-1 Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA) Program Estimates. These changes include minor updates to the existing ORR-1 form and introducing a required template for recipients to use when preparing annual budget estimates. This standardized format aims to simplify the process, as recipients must now submit their budget justifications in a Microsoft Excel workbook that auto-calculates necessary values, reducing burden for both submitters and reviewers. Comments on the necessity, accuracy, and potential improvements of this information collection are welcome until February 25, 2025.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has decided to withdraw a previously proposed rule regarding the Child Support Services Program. The initial proposal aimed to change legal language to be more inclusive of various family structures, such as same-sex parents, by using the term “parentage” instead of "paternity." This withdrawal was influenced by complex issues raised in public comments and a need for further input from stakeholders. The department is focusing on other child support priorities and recent legislative developments.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has reorganized the Office of Child Care (OCC) by adding a new Regional Operations Division. This change involves moving impacted staff from the Office of the Director to the newly established division. The OCC is responsible for overseeing various child care programs and supporting grantees' efforts to provide subsidies for low-income families, improve child care quality, and support the workforce. This reorganization maintains the existing policies and re-delegations of authority within the ACF and ensures continuity in their operations.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is seeking public comments on extending the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) and Youth Outcomes Survey for three more years without changes to the form. The data is used to track services and outcomes for youth in independent living programs. Comments are requested on aspects like utility and burden reduction by February 28, 2025. The collection is authorized by the Foster Care Independence Act and aims to assess youth outcomes and program performance.

The Health and Human Services Department, specifically the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is asking for public feedback on extending the Access and Visitation Survey for three more years. This survey helps manage grants that support parental access and visitation through state programs. The ACF is collecting comments on various aspects, such as the necessity and efficiency of this information gathering, and suggestions to reduce any burdens on respondents. Public comments are invited within 60 days of the notice publication.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is asking for public feedback on extending the ACF-696T Financial Report form for another three years. This form, used by 221 Tribal Lead Agencies receiving Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funding, is necessary for reporting financial expenditures annually. No changes have been proposed to the form, but the ACF is particularly interested in comments on the necessity, clarity, and burden of the information requested. Comments are due within 60 days of the notice's publication.