Social Welfare Policy

Administration for Children & Families (ACF)

This HHS agency is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. It oversees numerous programs and administers TANF, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the state-federal welfare program. The ACF has four major bureaus:

• Children's Bureau

  The oldest federal agency responsible for children, it assists the States in the delivery of child welfare services. Important links include: Laws & Policies and Research, Data, and Technology. The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to numerous publications that deal with child abuse, child welfare, and adoption

• Child Care Bureau

  This bureau administers federal funds to states, territories, and tribes to assist low-income families in accessing quality child care for children.

• Family and Youth Services Bureau

  The FYSB supports local communities in providing services and opportunities to young people, particularly runaway and homeless youth.

• Office of Head Start (formerly Head Start Bureau)

  Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families with the goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

Administration on Aging (AOA)
Part of HHS, the AOA develops polices, plans, and programs that promote the welfare of the elderly. It also supports a nationwide aging network that provides services to the elderly.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
This HHS agency conducts scientific research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes, access, quality and cost, and use.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Formerly the Health Care Financing Administration, the centers administer Medicare and Medicaid programs and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The mission of the HRSA is to assure the availability of quality health care to low- income, uninsured, isolated, vulnerable and special needs populations. Key programs include HIV/AIDS services, maternal and child health, and rural health policy.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is the HHS agency that focuses on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and mental disorders. Included are links to statistics and data, workplace resources, mental health services, and addiction treatment.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
This office focuses on welfare, poverty, service delivery issues, data for research, and policies affecting children, youth and families. This is an important source of information on policy and legislative developments.