Agency Analysis

Agency Analysis

Agency Analysis

History of Administration for Children and Families

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is one of the divisions of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families heads it. The organziation possess a budget of $58.8 billion for its 65 programs which are aimed upon targeting the youth, children, and families (ACF, 2013). The purpose of these programs is to assist with the welfare of the families, child care, enforcement of child support, fostering of care, adoption assistance, and child abuse. The major purpose of the organization is to foster the social and economic well being of the most susceptible communities and population of America. The programs of ACF include serving a broad range of the population groups composing of low income families, individuals and refugees, Native Americans, and many others (ACF, 2013).

The organization, ACF exists in the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a mission to facilitate the provision of national leadership and creation of opportunities for the families so that they can lead socially and economically productive lives (ACF, 2013). George Sheldon, at the top of the hierarchy is the Acting Assistant Secretary. The programs of ACF are formulated and designed to assist the children and families grow into healthy communities and adults. In this manner, they will be more supportive and prosperous of their members. The major goals of ACF make it responsible for formulating and undertaking such federal programs which foster the social and economic well-being of children, families, communities and individuals. The organization aims to achieve the following goals through its programs:

Individuals and families are empowered to enhance their own productivity and economic independence;

Healthy, strong, and supportive communities which may positively impact the development of children and quality of life and;

Partnerships with front-line service providers, individuals, American Indian tribes, communities, states, Native communities, and Congress which allow solutions that exceed the boundaries of traditional agency;

Services reformed, planned, and incorporated to enhance the access that is required;

A strong dedication undertake the welfare of people who are refugees, confronted with developmental disabilities, and are migrants for addressing their strengths, needs, and abilities. The purpose of these programs is to assist with the welfare of the families, child care, enforcement of child support, fostering of care, adoption assistance, and child abuse.

Organization Design

The ACF has undertaken to conduct some of the welfare programs in the form of its manageable departments. These programs include the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), Assets for Independence (AFI), Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), Children's Bureau (CB), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), Office of Community Services (OCS), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The purpose of these programs is to assist with the welfare of the families, child care, enforcement of child support, fostering of care, adoption assistance, and child abuse.

The ACF aims to undertake the above mentioned programs with dedication in ...