Section III. Operating And Staff Division Portfolios

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Mission: To provide national leadership and create opportunities for families to lead economically and socially productive lives. ACF’s programs are designed to help children to develop into healthy adults and communities to become more prosperous and supportive of their members.

ACF programs aim to achieve the following:

• Families and individuals empowered to increase their own economic independence and productivity;
• Strong, healthy, supportive communities that have a positive impact on the quality of life and the development of children;
• Partnerships with individuals, front-line service providers, communities, American Indian tribes, Native communities, states, and Congress that enable solutions which transcend traditional agency boundaries;
• Services planned, reformed, and integrated to improve needed access;
• A strong commitment to working with people with developmental disabilities, refugees, and migrants to address their needs, strengths, and abilities.

ACF leads the nation in improving the economic and social well-being of families, children and communities by administering formula/block and entitlement and discretionary grant programs such as:

• The national welfare-to-work program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Foster care
• Adoption assistance
• Head Start
• Child care
• Child support enforcement
• Positive youth development programs
• Refugee resettlement
• Services for those with developmental disabilities

For additional information on ACF programs and funding please visit the ACF website (http://www.acf.hhs.gov).