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Administration for Children and Families

Chapter KE

THE ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

KE.00 Mission
KE.10 Organization
KE.20 Functions

KE.00 Mission [ 60 FR 17084-85, 04/04/95]. The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, on matters relating to American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Native American Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, hereinafter referred to as Native Americans. ANA represents the concerns of Native Americans and serves as the focal point in the Department on the full range of developmental, social and economic strategies that support Native American self-determination and self-sufficiency.

ANA administers grant programs to eligible Indian tribes and Native American organizations in urban and rural areas with funds authorized under the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended.

In conjunction with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, ANA serves as Departmental liaison with other federal agencies on Native American affairs, working to promote social and economic self-sufficiency for Native Americans. In concert with other components of ACF, it develops and implements research, demonstration and evaluation strategies for discretionary funding of activities designed to improve and enrich the lives of Native Americans. Through its policy, liaison, and programmatic grant functions, ANA explores new program concepts and new methods for increasing the social and economic development of Native Americans, and ensures that information about Departmental services and benefits and eligibility criteria is available to Native Americans and fosters the opportunity for the exercise of self-determination by Native Americans and their operation of Native American programs and enterprises.

KE.10 Organization [60 FR 17084-85, 04/04/95]. The Administration for Native Americans is headed by a Commissioner who reports directly to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families and consists of:

Office of the Commissioner (KEA)
Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs (KEB)
Planning and Support Staff (KEC)
Program Operations Division (KED)

KE.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Commissioner [60 FR 17084-85, 04/04/95] provides executive direction and management strategy for all components of ANA. The Commissioner serves as the effective and visible advocate on behalf of Native Americans within the Department, and with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government regarding all Federal policies affecting Native Americans. The Commissioner serves as advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, the Secretary, and the heads of DHHS agencies administering programs which have a significant impact on Native Americans. On behalf of the Department, the Commissioner conducts liaison with and obtains advice from Indian tribes and Native American organizations. The Commissioner provides policy direction and guidance to the ACF regional offices with respect to programs for Urban Indians, off-reservation Indians, and other Native American projects in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. The Deputy Commissioner acts as Commissioner in the absence of the Commissioner. The Commissioner is Chairperson of the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs and shall advise the Secretary on all matters affecting Native Americans that involve the Department.

B. Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs [60 FR 17084-85, 04/04/95] serves as the focal point within the Department for intra-agency activities related to Native American affairs and effects coordination, cooperation and complementary utilization of the Department's resources for Native Americans. It promotes consistent policies on Native American affairs for the entire Department and promotes the full and continuous application of these policies throughout the Department. The Commissioner is the Chairperson of the Council and advises the Secretary on Native American issues. Council staff provide support to the Commissioner of ANA/Council Chair. The Council identifies administrative, legislative and regulatory changes or developments necessary for the applications of effective and consistent Federal Indian policy.

C. Planning and Support Staff [60 FR 17084-85, 04/04/95] plans, coordinates, and controls ANA policy, planning, and management activities, and manages the development of regulations, policies, and guidelines for ANA. It develops and recommends the implementation of policies in coordination and consultation with the Office of Policy and Evaluation.

In coordination with the Office of Policy and Evaluation and the Office of Financial Management in ACF, the staff directs the development of program plans consistent with the Department's requirements. It formulates budget and legislative plans consistent with Departmental and ANA requirements. It coordinates the reporting by ANA components to the ACF management information system including reports on short range initiatives.

The staff manages the ANA program management system to support ANA programming, planning and administration; provides a wide range of management administrative services in support of all ANA programs and activities; and initiates and monitors the progress of all personnel actions.

The staff serves as ANA Executive Secretariat, controlling the flow of correspondence. It is responsible for the receipt of Freedom of Information Act requests directed to ANA and coordinates responses to such requests; coordinates with appropriate ACF components in implementing administrative requirements and procedures; and oversees and administers the panel review process for grant applications within ANA.

D. Program Operations Division [60 FR 17084-85, 04/04/95] provides direct financial assistance to American Indian tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, Native Pacific Island organizations, urban Indian groups, rural off-reservation Native American groups, other Native American groups and organizations including national, regional, statewide, local, and inter-tribal consortia groups throughout the lower 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii and the South Pacific Islands. The Division serves as a resource for and liaison with Indian tribes and other Native American groups and organizations and as a link with projects of national significance, and carries out special projects and initiatives for the benefit of the ANA service population.

The Division provides information and program content for plans, budget information and policy development for activities authorized under the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended. In cooperation with the ANA Planning and Support Staff, it coordinates all matters pertaining to planning, overall ANA management, policy development and control, and program development.

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