Search Results for keywords:"Children and Families Administration"

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is asking the public to comment on a new plan for collecting information about unaccompanied children who have left their care. ORR aims to organize and refine the data collection process by grouping related forms and introducing new fields to help case managers track and support these children better. The changes focus on safely reconnecting children with sponsors and improving home study and post-release services. The public comment period is open until February 18, 2025, and ORR is especially interested in feedback on the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed changes.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is asking for public comments on changes to information collection forms related to the release of unaccompanied alien children from ORR custody. They plan to update and integrate several forms into a new case management system called UAC Path. These forms help process releases and provide post-release services. The ORR seeks feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and clarity of these forms, and suggestions to reduce the burden on respondents, with comments welcomed within 60 days of publication.

The Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has withdrawn a proposed rule concerning the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Originally proposed on October 2, 2023, the rule aimed to update TANF regulations, including defining "needy," clarifying allowable expenditures, and aligning holidays with Federal standards. After receiving over 7,000 comments, the department decided they need more public input and are focusing on other priorities, such as implementing the TANF provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Thus, the proposed rule has been officially withdrawn as of January 14, 2025.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a notice correcting a previous document about changes to the Office of Child Care. Published on December 4, 2024, the document mistakenly contained an incorrect code related to the addition of a Regional Operations Division. This correction specifies that the Regional Operations Division will oversee and guide the ten OCC Regional Offices and ensure coordination with central office planning.

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public feedback on a proposed information collection by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This collection involves various forms used to assess the needs and status of unaccompanied children in ORR custody and their potential sponsors. The forms have been reorganized to improve efficiency and include new ones designed to better gather critical data, like language preferences and health information, while acknowledging diverse gender identities. The public has until February 28, 2025, to submit comments on the proposed changes.

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 Health and Human Services Department has delegated authority to the Chief of the Unaccompanied Children Bureau to make decisions related to juvenile court jurisdiction for unaccompanied alien children seeking special immigrant status. This delegation is in accordance with the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. It will be effective on the date of signature and conforms with existing financial, administrative, and departmental policies. The actions taken by the Chief prior to this date are also affirmed and ratified.