81 FR 58514 - Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 165 (August 25, 2016)

Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has realigned the Office of Community Services (OCS). This notice announces the realignment of OCS functions to rename the Division of State Assistance to the Division of Community Assistance and establishes the Division of Social Services. It also consolidates the Division of Community Discretionary Programs and the Division of Community Demonstration Programs to establish the Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58514-58515]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20400]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority.
    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has realigned 
the Office of Community Services (OCS). This notice announces the 
realignment of OCS functions to rename the Division of State Assistance 
to the Division of Community Assistance and establishes the Division of 
Social Services. It also consolidates the Division of Community 
Discretionary Programs and the Division of Community Demonstration 
Programs to establish the Division of Community Discretionary and 
Demonstration Programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannie Chaffin, Director, Office of 
Community Services, 330 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20201, (202) 401-
9333.
    This notice amends Part K of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), 
as follows: Office of Community Services (OCS), as last amended by 767 
FR 67198, November 4, 2002, the changes are as follows:
    I. Under Chapter KG, Office of Community Services, delete KG in its 
entirety and replace with the following:
    KG.00 Mission. The Office of Community Services (OCS) advises the 
Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, 
on matters relating to community programs to promote economic self-
sufficiency. OCS is responsible for administering programs that serve 
low-income and needy individuals and address the overall goal of 
economic security for individuals and families with low incomes and 
community improvement for distressed neighborhoods. OCS administers the 
Community Services Block Grant, Social Services Block Grant, and the 
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant programs. OCS also 
administers a variety of discretionary grant programs that foster 
family stability, economic security, responsibility and self-support, 
promote and provide services to homeless and individuals with low-
income and develop new and innovative approaches to reduce the need for 
public assistance.
    KG.10 Organization. The Office of Community Services is headed by a 
Director who reports directly to the Assistant Secretary for Children 
and Families. The office is organized as follows:

Office of the Director (KGA)
Division of Community Assistance (KGB)
Division of Energy Assistance (KGE)
Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs (KGG)
Division of Social Services (KGH)

    KG.20 Functions. A. Office of the Director provides executive 
direction and leadership to the Office of Community Services (OCS) and 
coordinates all elements of the Office. The Deputy Director assists the 
Director in carrying out the responsibilities of the Office. Within the 
Office, the administrative staff assists the Director in managing the 
formulation and execution of program and salaries and expenses budgets, 
and in providing administrative, personnel and data processing support 
services.
    B. Division of Energy Assistance administers the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) at the federal level. It develops 
guidelines, policies and regulations to provide direction to states, 
territories, Indian tribes and tribal organizations in administering 
LIHEAP. The Division of LIHEAP calculates state allotments and develops 
statistical information regarding state plan characteristics, energy 
consumption, state median income estimates, fuel costs, and housing and 
demographic characteristics. It prepares, analyzes and recommends 
specific proposals for new legislation; prepares reports as required by 
Congress; and identifies and develops research and evaluation 
priorities and assesses the impact of research and evaluation findings 
and statistical data in terms of program directions.
    The Division of LIHEAP provides leadership in interpretation and 
application of federal program policy as it relates to compliance 
activities. The Division of LIHEAP reviews grantee applications and 
amendments; provides the Office of Administration, Division of 
Mandatory Grants with information necessary to issue grants; and 
investigates complaints. It provides assistance to states, tribes and 
territories in developing energy program policies and operational 
procedures; evaluates compliance of state and tribal policies and 
operations with statutory and regulatory requirements; and provides 
support in developing and implementing program improvements. The 
Division of LIHEAP assists states and other public and private 
organizations by providing training and technical assistance in areas 
related to home energy consumption.
    C. Division of Community Assistance administers the Community 
Services Block Grant (CSBG). It is responsible for developing, updating 
and implementing

[[Page 58515]]

regulations and policies for this program. It provides guidance, 
review, support and assistance to states and grantees on HHS policies, 
regulations, procedures and systems necessary to assure efficient 
program operation at the state, territorial and tribal levels.
    The Division of CSBG is responsible for assessing compliance with 
the provisions reviewing and resolving formal complaints, reviewing and 
recommending approval or disapproval of waiver requests, and evaluating 
activities in the programs, as appropriate.
    D. Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs 
administers a variety of discretionary grant programs that foster 
family stability, economic security, responsibility and self-support, 
and promote and provide services to low-income individuals. These 
programs are administered either through grants, contracts or jointly 
financed cooperative arrangements. Assistance may be provided to 
states, public and private non-profit organizations and community 
agencies to provide technical assistance, training and on-going 
services and activities of national, regional or state-wide 
significance. Assistance may also be provided to private, locally-
initiated, non-profit community development corporations (or affiliates 
of such corporations). This assistance may be provided to address a 
variety of areas of interest, such as rural housing and community 
facilities, assistance to migrants and seasonal farm workers, 
recreational and educational activities for low-income youth, community 
food and nutrition, support programs for homeless individuals, job 
creation, and business development opportunities. The Division also 
administers continued-use-of-assets agreements between OCS and 
Community Development Corporations (CDCs).
    This division also administers demonstration programs that develop 
new and innovative approaches to deal with the critical needs of the 
poor which are common to many communities, reduce welfare dependency, 
and create business and employment opportunities. These programs, 
including the Assets for Independence (AFI) program, are administered 
either through grants, contracts or jointly financed cooperative 
arrangements. In coordination with the Office of Planning, Research and 
Evaluation (OPRE), the Division oversees and monitors demonstration 
programs; evaluates projects for their effectiveness in order to 
replicate those which are most successful; and prepares reports on 
significant findings.
    E. Division of Social Services administers the Social Services 
Block Grant (SSBG). It is responsible for developing, updating and 
implementing regulations and policies for this program. It provides 
guidance, review, support and assistance to states and grantees on HHS 
policies, regulations, procedures and systems necessary to assure 
efficient program operation at the state, territorial and tribal 
levels. The Division of Social Services is responsible for 
administering emergency supplemental disaster funding assessing 
compliance with the provisions of the SSBG program, reviewing and 
resolving formal complaints, reviewing and recommending approval or 
disapproval of waiver requests, and evaluating activities in the 
programs, as appropriate.
    II. Continuation of Policy. Except as inconsistent with this 
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with 
respect to organizational components affected by this notice within 
ACF, heretofore issued and in effect on this date of this 
reorganization are continued in full force and effect.
    III. Delegation of Authority. All delegations and re-delegations of 
authority made to officials and employees of affected organizational 
components will continue in them or their successors pending further 
re-delegations, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    IV. Funds, Personnel, and Equipment. Transfer of organizations and 
functions affected by this reorganization shall be accompanied in each 
instance by direct and support funds, positions, personnel, records, 
equipment, supplies, and other resources.
    This reorganization will be effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: August 19, 2016.
Mark H. Greenberg,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 2016-20400 Filed 8-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4184-01-P