Search Results for keywords:"Children and Families Administration"

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final rule revising the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). This rule mandates that state Title IV-E agencies collect and report more detailed data related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) for children in foster care. The aim is to better understand the experiences and outcomes for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and to improve culturally responsive care. States are given a three-year timeframe to implement these changes, which will take effect on October 1, 2028.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) under the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection activity. This collection involves various forms designed to help monitor care provider facilities for compliance with laws, standards, and policies related to the welfare of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). The proposed forms cover areas such as corrective action reports, compliance and safety site visit reports, and checklists for maintaining child-friendly environments, among others. Public comments on this proposed collection are invited within 60 days of the publication of this notice.

The Administration for Children and Families has issued a final rule permitting State and Tribal child support agencies to use federal funds to provide employment and training services to eligible noncustodial parents. These services aim to help parents find and keep jobs to ensure consistent child support payments. Effective January 13, 2025, the rule allows noncustodial parents with open child support cases to receive assistance such as job search help, skills training, and work support services. The initiative also seeks to enhance coordination with existing federal employment and training programs to prevent duplication and maximize benefits.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is correcting a final rule about the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) that was initially published on December 5, 2024. This rule mandates state agencies to report additional data concerning the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. The correction states the rule will take effect 30 days after publication, on January 4, 2025, except for certain amendments, which will be effective on October 1, 2028. The correction addresses a technical error in the document to ensure all provisions are accurately stated.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension for the Administration for Native Americans Project Outcome Assessment Survey. This survey aids in reporting on performance measures and fulfilling statutory requirements. ACF invites public comments and suggestions on the proposed information collection until February 12, 2025. Those interested can provide feedback via the specified online platform or email.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is seeking public comments on revisions to guidance for the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. The proposed changes aim to reduce the burden on grant recipients by streamlining the Community Needs and Readiness Assessment Guidance and Implementation Plan. Respondents are invited to comment on the necessity, clarity, and burden of the information collection. Comments must be submitted by March 17, 2025.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is asking for public comments on changes to their process of collecting information about unaccompanied children. This includes moving some forms to a new collection for incident reporting and revising other forms to make them clearer and more efficient. They want feedback on whether these changes are useful, accurate, clear, and how they could be less burdensome for people to fill out. Comments are requested by February 18, 2025, and the public is encouraged to share their thoughts.

The Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, has announced the allotment percentages for each state under the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Grant Program. These percentages are important because they help determine the amount of federal grant money each state receives for child welfare services. The new allotment percentages will be applicable for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. More detailed information and the specific percentages for each state are available on the Administration for Children and Families' website.

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 Native Americans under the Administration for Children and Families is seeking public comments on their request to extend the Ongoing Progress Report and Objective Work Plan for another three years, until September 30, 2026. This extension involves changes only to the report itself. Comments must be submitted by February 18, 2025, to have full effect. This request, which is part of efforts to monitor and evaluate grants effectively, involves collecting information to assess the performance and progress of projects funded by the administration.