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Administration for Children and Families

Chapter KL

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR POLICY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

KL.00 Mission
KL.10 Organization
KL.20 Function

KL.00 Mission [63 FR 81-87, 01/02/98]. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs serves as the principal advisor and counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on all aspects of legislation, policy and intergovernmental affairs.

KL.10 Organization [63 FR 81-87, 01/02/98]. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Policy and External Affairs (KLA)
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (KLB)

KL.20 Functions. A. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs [ 63 FR 81-87, 01/02/98] serves as the principal advisor and counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on all aspects of legislation, policy, and intergovernmental affairs. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs develops broad policy strategies and concepts pertaining to on-going and anticipated program issues and recommends legislation relevant to ACF programs. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs represents the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on intergovernmental matters, and in contacts and negotiations with Congressional members and staff and executives of agencies and organizations. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs provides executive leadership and direction to the Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

B. The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (OIA) [ 63 FR 81-87, 01/02/98] serves as the focal point for intergovernmental coordination activities with other federal agencies, state and local officials, special interest groups, professional and business organizations, and private and voluntary groups. It tracks plans, proposals, legislative positions, conferences and other activities of outside groups that influence or affect ACF's programs and policies. It responds to requests for information from outside groups on ACF's programs and positions. It plans, organizes and coordinates conferences, workshops and other events to promote ACF's programs and priorities, and it coordinates ACF's participation at meetings and conferences sponsored by outside groups. It manages the speaker request system. It provides advance planning and preparation for trips by the Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Deputy Assistant Secretaries for ACF including speaking engagements. The Office serves as a focal point for ACF's international activities and provides policy advice and staff support to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on international issues concerned with human services; coordinates ACF's participation in special international initiatives; prepares or coordinates preparation of position papers for U.S. delegations to international organizations (e.g. United Nations (UN), UNICEF, Organization of American States (OAS), and the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research); arranges professional development programs for foreign visitors; develops and manages international research and comparative studies; and manages international travel by ACF staff.

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