Children's Bureau Reorganization

["Patrick T. Collins" <ptc1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The reorganization of NCCAN and the Children's Bureau is nearing 
completion. The managers for the new Office and Divisions have been 
announced and staff reassignments are being made. The following describes 
the new Office and Divisions and their primary tasks.  For more information
see the Children's Bureau web page (http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/)
or contact Sally Flanzer <sflanzer@acf.dhhs.gov>.

                      THE CHILDREN'S BUREAU                 
                                
A.   The Office of the Associate Commissioner provides national
     leadership and coordination for the programs, activities,
     and subordinate offices of the Bureau.

     Associate Commissioner: Carol W. Williams, D.S.W.
     Deputy Associate Commissioner: Dan Lewis

B.   Office on Child Abuse and Neglect provides leadership and
     direction on the issues of child maltreatment and the       
     prevention of abuse and neglect under the Child Abuse       
     Prevention and Treatment Act and the Children's Justice Act. 

     Director: Catherine Nolan, M.S.W.

     .    Focal point for interagency collaborative efforts,
          national conferences and special initiatives related to
          child abuse and neglect.  
     .    Administers interagency agreements in the areas of
          prevention, abuse and neglect and child protective
          services.
     .    Focal point for coordinating activities related to the
          prevention of abuse and neglect and the protection of
          children at-risk (safety).
     .    Expands and supports prevention activities through
          the Community Based Family Resource and Support
          (CBFRS) program, and promotes improvements in Child
          Protective Service (CPS) systems.
     .    Builds networks for family support and prevention and
          systems reform (CJA).  

C.   Division of Policy provides leadership and direction in      
     policy development and interpretation under titles IV-B
     and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and the Basic State
     Grant under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.   

     Director: Kathleen McHugh, M.S.W.  

     .    Writes regulations and interprets policy for the       
          Bureau's formula and entitlement grant programs.  
     .    Responds to RO and other requests for policy
          clarification.      
     .    Develops briefing books and Qs and As in cooperation
          with other units.
     .    Develops OMB clearance packages for policy issuances.
               

D.   Division of Program Implementation provides leadership and
     direction in the operation and review of programs under
     titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and the
     Basic State Grant under the Child Abuse Prevention and
     Treatment Act.   

     Director: Paul Kirisitz, M.S.W.

     .    Schedules, coordinates and tracks monitoring
          activities.    
     .    Develops PIs and IMs.
     .    Reviews and analyzes State Plans.
     .    Reviews applications and reports for IL and CI
          program funding.
     .    Reviews annual updates for IV-B and BSG and develops
          annual reports.
     .    Develops State profiles and other reports.
     .    Participates in monitoring and reviewing State AFCARS,
          SACWIS and NCANDS systems to ensure the accuracy and
          relevancy of the data.
     .    Controls client/constituency correspondence for the    
          Bureau.
     .    Develops OMB clearance packages for renewals.
     .    Focal point for tribal issues and initiatives.
     .    Focal point for financial issues, including
          disallowances, appeals, and DAB decisions.
     .    Monitors waiver demonstrations.
     .    Oversees the work of the Monitoring Team.
                
     The Monitoring Team (MT):  This standing team is comprised
     of a permanent team leader and team members, who participate
     in and oversee the monitoring of State reviews.  In addition
     to the permanent team members, other staff will be asked to
     be part of the team and participate in State reviews,
     dependent upon their area of expertise and the specific
     monitoring effort to be accomplished.  This team also
     ensures effective corrective action for States where
     necessary through training and technical assistance. 
 
E.   Division of Data, Research and Innovation provides
     leadership and direction in program development, innovation,
     research and in the management of the Bureau's information
     systems under titles IV-B-and IV-E of the Social Security
     Act, and under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

     Director: Sally Flanzer, Ph.D.

     .    Analyzes and disseminates data from all sources.
     .    Identifies problems, defines critical issues for
          investigation and makes recommendations regarding
          subject areas for research, demonstration and
          evaluation. 
     .    Administers the discretionary grant programs, manages
          the discretionary grants budget, issues grant
          announcements, and awards project grants.
     .    Oversees the Crisis Nurseries and Abandoned Infants
          Resource Centers.
     .    Focal point for technology development within the
          Bureau, e.g., ITUG, WWW, CB Web page, etc.
     .    Oversees the work of the D/TT team.

     The Data and Technology Team (D/TT):  This standing team
     is comprised of a permanent team leader and 5 team members
     who will analyze program data from the Adoption and Foster 
     Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), the National
     Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), and other 
     sources.  The team will develop systematic methods of 
     measuring the impact and effectiveness of various child
     and family services programs, perform statistical sampling
     functions, and will provide comprehensive guidance to
     States, local agencies and others on data collection issues,
     problems and outcome measures.  The team also will stay
     abreast of the latest developments in technology.


F.   Division of Child Welfare Capacity Building provides
     leadership and direction in the areas of training, technical
     assistance and information dissemination under titles IV-B  
     and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and under the Child    
     Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. 

     Director: Ellen Carey

     .    Provides training and technical assistance, either
          directly or through the Resource Centers, to assist
          service providers, State and local governments and
          tribes, and to strengthen CO and RO staff.
     .    Oversees section 426 discretionary training grants and
          IV-E training.
     .    Manages 25-35 discretionary grants. 
     .    Oversees Clearinghouse operations and activities.  
     .    Identifies and disseminates information on best
          practices.
     .    Participates in the development of grant announcements.
     .    Develops and issues a periodic Newsletter.
     .    Focal point for conference planning activities.   
     .    Manages the logistics contracts for the Bureau.