REG 2 Functional Statement

11/03

KD2.10 Organization. [68 FR 65291-65303, 11/19/03] The Administration for Children and Families, Region II, New York Office is organized as follows:

Office of the Regional Administrator (KD2A)
Office of Management and Data Services (KD2B)
Office of State and Youth Programs (KD2C)
Office of Early Childhood Programs (KD2D)

KD2.20 Functions. A. The Regional Office [68 FR 65291-65303, 11/19/03] is headed by a Regional Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families through the Director, Office of Regional Operations. The Office is responsible for the Administration for Children and Families' key national goals and priorities. It represents ACF's regional interests, concerns, and relationships within the Department and among other Federal agencies and focuses on state agency culture change, more effective partnerships, and improved customer service. The Office provides executive leadership and direction to state, county, city, territorial and tribal governments, as well as public and private local grantees to ensure effective and efficient program and financial management. It ensures that these entities conform to federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing the programs, and exercises all delegated authorities and responsibilities for oversight of the programs. The Office takes action to approve certain state plans and submits its recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families concerning state plan disapproval. The Office contributes to the development of national policy based on regional perspectives for all ACF programs. It oversees ACF operations and the management of ACF regional staff; coordinates activities across regional programs; and assures that goals and objectives are carried out. The Office alerts the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families to problems and issues that may have significant regional or national impact. It represents ACF at the regional level in executive communications within ACF, with the HHS Regional Director, other HHS operating divisions, other Federal agencies, and public or private local organizations representing children and families.

Within the Office of the Regional Administrator, an administrative staff directs the development of regional work plans related to the overall ACF strategic plan; tracks, monitors and reports on regional progress in the attainment of ACF national goals and objectives; and manages special and sensitive projects. It serves as the focal point for public affairs and contacts with the media, public awareness activities, information dissemination and education campaigns in accordance with the ACF Office of Public Affairs and in conjunction with the HHS Regional Director; and assists the Regional Administrator in the management of cross-cutting initiatives and activities among the regional components.

B. The Office of Management and Data Services [68 FR 65291-65303, 11/19/03] is headed by an Assistant Regional Administrator for Operations who reports to the Regional Administrator. The Office provides day-to-day support for regional administrative and grants management functions, and provides data management and statistical analysis support to all Regional Office components. Administrative functions include budget planning and execution, facility management, employee relations, and human resources development. The Assistant Regional Administrator, acting in the capacity of Financial/Grants Management Officer, and staff provide expertise in business and other non-programmatic areas of grants administration and help ensure that grantees fulfill requirements of laws, regulations, and administrative policies. The Office establishes regional financial management priorities; reviews cost allocation plans; and makes recommendations to the Regional Administrator to (1) approve, defer or disallow claims for federal financial participation in ACF formula and entitlement programs and (2) approve or disallow costs under ACF discretionary grant programs. As applicable, it makes recommendations on the clearance and closure of audits of state and grantee programs, paying particular attention to deficiencies that decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of ACF programs and taking steps to resolve such deficiencies.

The Office represents the Regional Administrator on administrative and grants management matters with ACF central office, states, contractors and grantees. It alerts the Regional Administrator to problems or issues that have significant implications for functional areas under its jurisdiction.

C. The Office of State and Youth Programs [68 FR 65291-65303, 11/19/03] is headed by an Assistant Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator and consists of: Child Support Enforcement Division; Self-Sufficiency Programs Division; and Youth and Family Services Division.

The Office is responsible for providing centralized program, financial management and technical administration of certain ACF formula, entitlement, block and discretionary programs, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development Fund, Child Support Enforcement, Child Welfare Services, Family Preservation and Support, Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Runaway and Homeless Youth.

The Office represents the Regional Administrator in dealing with ACF central office, states and grantees on all program and financial management policy matters for programs under its jurisdiction. It alerts the Regional Administrator to problems or issues that have significant implications for the programs.

D. The Office of Early Childhood Programs [68 FR 65291-65303, 11/19/03] is headed by an Assistant Regional Administrator who reports to the Regional Administrator and consists of: New Jersey and Caribbean Division; and New York State Division.

The Office is responsible for providing a centralized program, financial management and technical administration of certain ACF formula, entitlement, and discretionary programs, such as Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, and Developmental Disabilities.

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