USC Subchapter I

USC Subchapter I
in effect

42 U.S.C. § 12311 Establishment of Administration on Children, Youth, and Families

(a) In generalThere is established within the Department of Health and Human Services an Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. (b) Commissioner(1) Establishment(A) In generalThe Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, as established under subsection (a), shall be headed by a Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families. (B) Omitted (2) AppointmentThe President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the Commissioner.

42 U.S.C. § 12312 Functions of Commissioner

(a) In generalThe Commissioner shall—(1) serve as the effective and visible advocate for children, youth, and families within the Department of Health and Human Services and with other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government by maintaining active review and commenting responsibilities, as appropriate, concerning Federal policies affecting young individuals, and the families of young individuals; (2) collect and disseminate information related to the problems of young individuals and the families of such individuals; (3) assist the Secretary in appropriate matters pertaining to young individuals, and the families of such individuals; (4) administer the grants authorized under this subchapter; (5) develop plans and conduct research in the field of young individuals, and the families of such individuals; (6) assist, to the maximum extent practicable, in the establishment and implementation of programs designed to meet the needs of young individuals for supportive services including—(A) health and mental health services; (B) housing and shelter assistance; (C) education and training services; (D) protective services; (E) foster care; (F) teen parenting support; (G) child care; (H) family support and preservation; (I) teen pregnancy prevention and counseling; (J) counseling on the effects of violence in the communities of such individuals and their families; (K) recreational and volunteer opportunities; and (L) comprehensive early childhood development; (7) provide technical assistance and consultation to States and the political subdivisions of such States with respect to programs for young individuals; (8) prepare, publish, and disseminate educational materials concerning the welfare of young individuals; (9) gather statistics concerning young individuals, and the families of such individuals, that other Federal agencies are not collecting; (10) to the maximum extent practicable coordinate activities carried out or assisted by all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government with respect to the collection, preparation, and dissemination of information relevant to young individuals and the families of such individuals; (11) stimulate more effective uses of existing resources and available services for young individuals and the families of such individuals; (12) develop basic policies and set priorities with respect to the development and operation of programs and activities conducted under this chapter; (13) convene conferences of authorities and officials of organizations, including Federal, State, and local agencies, and nonprofit private organizations, of programs for children, youth and their families for the development and implementation of policies related to the priorities and purposes of this chapter, including topics such as the establishment of a nationwide network of comprehensive, coordinated services and opportunities for such individuals; (14) conduct periodic evaluations of the programs and activities related to the purposes of this chapter; and (15) develop, in coordination with other agencies, methods to ensure adequate training for personnel concerning children, youth and families and to ensure the adequate dissemination of such information to appropriate State and community agencies. (b) Encouragement of volunteerismIn executing the duties and functions of the Administration under this subchapter and in carrying out the programs and activities authorized under this chapter, the Commissioner, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, shall take necessary steps to coordinate with and seek the advice of voluntary agencies and organizations that provide services related to the purposes of this chapter.

42 U.S.C. § 12313 Federal agency consultations

(a) In generalThe Commissioner shall consult and cooperate with the heads of all appropriate Federal agencies or departments administering programs or services that are substantially related to the purposes of this chapter. (b) Interagency agreementsTo the extent practicable, the Commissioner shall facilitate cooperation through the entering into of interagency agreements.

42 U.S.C. § 12315 Administration

(a) Duties of CommissionerIn carrying out this subchapter, the Commissioner is authorized to—(1) provide consultative services, technical assistance, and short-term training to the independent State bodies; (2) conduct research and demonstrations; (3) collect, prepare, publish, and disseminate special educational or informational materials, including reports of the projects for which funds are provided under this subchapter; (4) provide staff and other technical assistance to the Council; (5) evaluate the effectiveness of programs authorized under this subchapter and periodically publish analyses of the results of such evaluations; and (6) not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year, prepare and submit, to the President and the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a report concerning the activities carried out under this subchapter and concerning such other activities as the Secretary determines appropriate. (b) Utilization of services and facilities(1) In generalSubject to agreements made between the Commissioner and the head of such agency or organization, in carrying out the duties referred to in subsection (a) the Commissioner may utilize the services and facilities of any agency of the Federal Government and of any other public or nonprofit agency or organizations.11 So in original. Probably should be “organization.” (2) PaymentThe Commissioner may pay for such services and facilities, in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be provided in such agreement. (c) Reservation of fundsOf the aggregate amount appropriated to carry out this chapter in any fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve not more than 10 percent for salaries and expenses of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families related to the administration of this chapter.

42 U.S.C. § 12331 Purpose

It is the purpose of this part to encourage and assist State and local agencies to coordinate resources, reduce barriers to services, and develop new capacities to ensure that State and community services designed to serve children, youth, and families are more effective and comprehensive.

42 U.S.C. § 12332 Definitions

As used in this part: (1) Community referral servicesThe term “community referral services” means services to assist families in obtaining community resources, including health care, mental health care, employability development and job training, and other social services. (2) Core servicesThe term “core services” means—(A) educational and support services provided to assist parents in acquiring parenting skills, learning about child development, and responding appropriately to the behavior of their children; and (B) the early developmental screening of children to assess any needs of such children and to identify specific types of support that may be provided; (C) outreach services; (D) community referral services; and (E) follow up services. (3) Follow up servicesThe term “follow up services” means services provided to ensure that necessary services are received by families and are effective in meeting their needs. (4) Independent State bodyThe term “independent State body” means the entity established under section 12336 of this title. (5) Lead agencyThe term “lead agency” means an existing State agency, or other public or nonprofit private entity designated by the chief executive officer of the State as the agency responsible for the development and implementation of local family resource and support programs. Such agency shall have demonstrated ability to work with other State and community based agencies, to provide training and technical assistance, and shall also have a commitment to parental participation in the design and administration of family resource and support programs. (6) Other servicesThe term “other services” and “other support services” includes—(A) child care, early childhood development and intervention programs; (B) employability development services (including skill training); (C) educational services, such as scholastic tutoring, literacy training, and General Educational Degree (GED) services; (D) nutritional education; (E) life management skills training; (F) peer counseling and crisis intervention, family violence counseling and referrals for such services; (G) referral for substance abuse counseling and treatment referral; and (H) referral for primary health and mental health services. (7) Outreach servicesThe term “outreach services” means services provided to ensure (through home visits or other methods) that parents are aware of and able to participate in family resource and support program activities.

42 U.S.C. § 12333 Establishment of programs

The Commissioner shall make grants— (1) in each State under section 12337 of this title to improve State planning and coordination of services, and under section 12338 of this title to expand supportive services, in order to promote the availability of developmental, preventive, and remedial services to children, youth and their families that are designed to ensure—(A) adequate and safe physical shelter whether in their own homes or, if necessary, in out-of-home programs; (B) high quality physical and mental health care; (C) the enhancement of the development of children to ensure that children enter school prepared and ready to learn; (D) highest quality educational opportunity; (E) effective training and apprenticeships to increase the likelihood of employment; (F) opportunities for community service and productive employment, and for participation by children and youth in decisions affecting the lives of such children and youth; and (G) a wide range of civic, cultural, and recreational activities that recognize young individuals as resources and promote self-esteem and a sense of community; and (2) to States on a competitive basis under section 12339 11 See References in Text note below. of this title to establish family resource programs (including family support centers) in order to enhance the ability of families to remain together and to thrive through the provision of community based services that—(A) promote and build family and parenting skills; (B) promote and assist families in the use of formal and informal family support services; (C) create a support network to strengthen and reinforce good parenting; and (D) are closely linked with, but not duplicative of, other community resources.

42 U.S.C. § 12334 Administration

(a) In generalThe Commissioner shall administer programs under this part through the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. (b) Technical assistanceIn carrying out this part, the Commissioner may request the technical assistance and cooperation of the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Transportation, the Director of the Office of Community Services, and such other agencies and departments of the Federal Government as may be appropriate.

42 U.S.C. § 12335 State plan

(a) Submission of planThe chief executive officer of a State, in order to be eligible for grants from an allotment under section 12337, 12338, or 12339 11 See References in Text note below. of this title for any fiscal year, shall prepare and submit to the Commissioner a State plan for a 3-year period. (b) Revisions of planEach chief executive officer of a State may make annual revisions of the State plan referred to in subsection (a). (c) Content of planThe chief executive officer of a State shall include within the State plan of that State assurances as required under sections 22 So in original. Probably should be “section”. 12337, 12338, or 12339 1 of this title, and a description of the proposed multi-year plans of the State for program development and implementation. (d) Type of applicationA State may apply for funds under one or more of the following categories:(1) section 12337 of this title; (2) sections 12337 and 12338 of this title jointly; or (3) section 12339 1 of this title. In the case of each category, the State application and plan shall comply only with the requirements of the appropriate section. (e) Approval of plan(1) In generalThe Commissioner shall approve any State plan under sections 12337 and 12338 of this title that the Commissioner determines meets the requirements of such sections. (2) Notice and opportunity to correct deficienciesThe Commissioner shall not make a final determination disapproving any State plan, modifying such plan, or declaring a State to be ineligible to receive funds under sections 12337 and 12338 of this title without previously affording such State reasonable notice and opportunity to correct deficiencies in its application.

42 U.S.C. § 12336 Independent State body

(a) DesignationA State shall not be eligible to receive a grant from an allotment under section 12337 or 12338 of this title unless—(1) the chief executive officer of such State designates an independent State body that is composed of—(A) cabinet level representatives from each agency of such State that has responsibilities for programs affecting young individuals who shall comprise a majority of the independent State body; and (B) individuals appointed from among—(i) private nonprofit providers of services to young individuals; (ii) advocacy and citizens groups concerned with young individuals; (iii) committees of the legislature of such State that have responsibility for young individuals; (iv) leaders who are young individuals, including such leaders who are recipients of services provided under this subchapter; (v) representatives of the business community; (vi) representatives of employees of providers of services to young individuals; (vii) representatives of general purpose local government; and (viii) such staff as shall be necessary to—(I) develop a State plan to be submitted to the Commissioner for approval under section 12337 of this title; (II) administer and monitor the State plan within such State; (III) assist in the coordination of all State activities related to the purpose of the chapter; (IV) serve as an effective and visible advocate for young individuals by reviewing and commenting on all State plans, budgets, and policies that affect such individuals and the families of such individuals by providing technical assistance to any agency, organization, association, or individual representing the needs of young individuals; and (2) the independent State body designated under paragraph (1)—(A) develops a system for the distribution within the State of funds received under sections 12337 and 12338 of this title by the chief executive officer; (B) submits a description of such system to the Commissioner for review and comment; and (C) ensures that preference will be given in such distribution of funds to developing or supporting local service delivery systems that—(i) provide a range of services organized to tailor responses to needs rather than a predetermined array of services; (ii) are rooted in and part of the communities that such systems are designed to serve as measured by the degree to which public and private community leaders and young individuals participate in the planning of such systems; and (iii) demonstrate an ability to develop systematic collaboration among service providers on behalf of children, youth and families, including joint planning, joint financing, joint service delivery, common intake and assessment, and other arrangements that promote more effective service systems for such individuals. (b) Existing entityThe Commissioner may approve a State plan in which the chief executive officer of the State designates as the independent State body an existing State entity that is comprised of the parties described in subsection (a) and that is authorized to conduct the same range of interagency planning and coordination activities.

42 U.S.C. § 12337 State coordination of services

(a) AuthorityThe Commissioner shall make grants under this section to States on a formula basis for the purpose of improving the coordination of services provided to children, youth, and families. (b) ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, the chief executive officer of a State shall prepare and submit to the Commissioner an application containing a plan providing assurances that—(1) the independent State body is committed to interagency planning that results in statewide policies promoting systematic collaboration among agencies on behalf of young individuals as demonstrated by joint planning, joint financing, joint service delivery, common intake and assessment, and other arrangements that reduce barriers to services and promote more effective local service delivery systems for young individuals; (2) such plan will be based on needs as identified through an analysis of updated reports (such as “State of the Child” reports) prepared by the State, including detailed information gathered by the State, to the extent practicable, on young individuals and the families of such individuals concerning—(A) age, sex, race, and ethnicity; (B) the residences of such individuals; (C) the incidence of homelessness among such individuals; (D) the composition of families of such individuals; (E) the economic situations of such individuals; (F) the incidence of poverty among such individuals; (G) experiences in the care of such individuals away from home; (H) the health of such individuals; (I) violence in the homes or communities of such individuals; (J) the nature of the attachment of such individuals to school and work; (K) dropout rates of such individuals from school; and (L) the character of the communities in which such individuals reside; (3) the system to be used for the distribution of funds within the State will require that—(A) each area have an equal opportunity to apply for or receive funds under this part; and (B) the public be given an opportunity to express views concerning the development and administration of such plan; (4) the independent State body will provide an inventory of existing public and private services for children, youth and their families and will evaluate the need for supportive services within the State to address the purposes of this chapter and determine the extent to which existing public and private programs meet such need; (5) the independent State body will make such reports, in such form, and containing such information, as the Commissioner may require; (6) such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures will be adopted as may be necessary to ensure proper disbursement of, and accounting for, Federal funds paid under this part to the chief executive officer of the State, including any such funds paid to the recipients of a grant or contract; (7) the independent State body will conduct periodic evaluations of activities and projects carried out pursuant to this section and section 12338 of this title and will report the results and recommendations to the chief executive officer of the State and the State legislature; (8) the chief executive officer of the State will provide technical assistance or in-service training opportunities for personnel responsible for carrying out the purposes of this section and section 12338 of this title; and (9) the chief executive officer of each State will provide for the implementation of the requirements of section 12338 of this title, relating to supportive services. (c) Use of grants to StatesNotwithstanding section 12340(g) of this title, the amounts made available to each State under section 12340(a) of this title may be used to make grants to a State to enable such State to pay such percentages as the independent State body of such State determines to be appropriate, of the cost of administering the State plan of such State including—(1) the costs of the preparation of such plan and the provision of technical assistance to local areas; (2) the costs of the evaluation of activities carried out under such plan; (3) the costs of the collection of data and the carrying out of analyses related to the need for supportive services within the State; (4) the costs of the dissemination of information obtained under paragraph (3); and (5) the costs of the provision of short-term training to personnel of public or nonprofit private agencies and organizations engaged in the operation of programs authorized by this part. (e) 11 So in original. No subsec. (d) has been enacted. Supplement not supplantAmounts received by a State under this section and section 12338 of this title shall be used only to supplement, not to supplant, the amount of Federal, State, and local funds expended for the purposes for which grants are made under this section and section 12338 of this title. In no event shall such expenditures be used to satisfy the matching requirements of any other Federal program. (f) Relationship to family resource and support program grantsIf a State intends to apply for a grant under section 12339 22 See References in Text note below. of this title to be used for the same calendar year as the grant under this section, such State shall include in the application for a grant under this section a description of plans for family resource and support programs and for the coordination of the use of all funds received under this part.

42 U.S.C. § 12338 Supportive services

(a) AuthorityThe Commissioner shall carry out a program for making grants to a State, that has designated an independent State body under section 12336 of this title and provided for coordinated services under section 12337 of this title, for distribution by the chief executive officer under a State plan approved under section 12337 of this title to demonstrate successful program approaches to fill service gaps identified through State planning and advocacy efforts for any of the areas specified in paragraph (2). (b) Eligible servicesThe services eligible to be provided under subsection (a) are services—(1) that are designed to facilitate the provision of comprehensive community based services that are efficient, coordinated, and readily available through such activities as case planning, case management, intake and assessment, and information and referral; and (2) that serve any of the following purposes—(A) provide adequate and safe physical shelter to young individuals and the families of such individuals, especially in emergency circumstances; (B) provide transitional living services to young individuals who are homeless; (C) enable young individuals to attain and maintain physical and mental well-being; (D) provide health screening to detect or prevent illnesses, or both, that occur most frequently in young individuals as well as better treatment and counseling; (E) enhance the development of children to ensure that such children enter school prepared and ready to learn; (F) promote the highest quality of educational opportunity, especially through drop-out prevention programs, remediation for young individuals who have dropped out of school, and vocational education; (G) provide effective training apprenticeships and employment opportunities; (H) promote participation in community service and civic, cultural, and recreational activities that value young individuals as resources and promote self-esteem and a stake in the community; (I) promote the participation of young individuals in decisions concerning planning and managing the lives of such individuals; (J) encourage young individuals and the families of such individuals to use any community facilities and services that are available to such individuals; (K) ensure that young individuals who are unable to live with the biological families of such individuals have a safe place to live until such individuals can return home or move into independent adult life; and (L) prevent the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of young individuals.

42 U.S.C. § 12340 Authorization of appropriation and allotment

(a) Administration on Children, Youth, and Families; State coordination; supportive services(1) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections 12337 and 12338 of this title such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1998. (2) Availability of appropriationOf the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year—(A) not more than 10 percent shall be available to carry out section 12315 of this title; and (B) not less than 90 percent shall be available to carry out sections 12337 and 12338 of this title. (3) Allotment formulaExcept as provided in paragraph (4), from the amount available under paragraph (2)(B) for each fiscal year, a State shall be allotted an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount appropriated for such fiscal year as the population of the State that is under the age of 21 bears to the population of all States that is under the age of 21. (4) Exceptions(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B) and subject to the availability of appropriations under paragraph (1), no State shall be allotted less than $300,000 under the formula established under paragraph (3). (B) Limitation on allotmentNotwithstanding subparagraph (A), Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall each be allotted not less than $75,000 under the formula established under paragraph (2). (b) Determination of ageThe number of individuals under the age of 21 in each State shall be determined by the Commissioner on the basis of the most recent data available to the Commissioner. (c) Transfer of allotted fundsWhenever the Commissioner determines that—(1) any amount allotted to a State for a fiscal year under section 12337 or 12338 of this title will not be used by such State for carrying out the purpose for which such allotment was made; or (2) a State has failed to qualify under the State plan required under section 12335 of this title; the Commissioner shall make such allotment available for carrying out such purposes to other participating States in a proportional manner based on the relative population of the State of individuals under the age of 21. (d) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–252, title IV, § 402(b)(2), May 18, 1994, 108 Stat. 673 (e) LimitationA State shall not use in excess of 10 percent of a grant awarded under section 12338 or 12339 11 See References in Text note below. of this title for administrative activities at the State level. (f) Grants for IndiansThe Commissioner shall use 1 percent of the amount appropriated under this section for each fiscal year to make allotments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations (such terms having the same meaning given to such terms in section 5304(b) and (c) 1 of title 25) that submit to the Commissioner a plan that meets criteria consistent with the provisions of this part and that comply with other requirements established by the Commissioner. (g) LimitationGrants made under this subchapter may be used to pay not more than 80 percent of the cost of—(1) the preparation, administration, and evaluation of State plans under section 12337 of this title; (2) the development of comprehensive, efficient, coordinated supportive services under section 12338 of this title; and (3) the development, expansion, and operation of local family support and resource programs under section 12339 1 of this title. The remaining 20 percent of such cost shall be paid by the State with funds from non-Federal sources.

42 U.S.C. § 12351 Findings and purpose

(a) FindingsCongress finds that—(1) fundamental changes in the demographics and economics of family life in the United States over the past 20 years have had a profound effect on children and their parents; (2) since 1966, the number of women working outside the home has increased by 92 percent and the number of two earner families has increased by over 50 percent; (3) 61 percent of the children born today will live in a single-parent family before reaching the age of 20, with one out of every three single female heads of households living on income below the Federal poverty level; (4) one out of every four children under the age of 6 in the United States currently lives below the Federal poverty level; (5) over the past 10 years, parents have increasingly come together with other parents to organize family resource and support programs that promote healthy child development and increase parental competency, particularly families at risk; and (6) Federal investment in promoting the development of family resource and support programs will reap long-term benefits for individual families and the nation as a whole. (b) PurposeIt is the purpose of this part 11 See References in Text note below. to—(1) stimulate the development and expansion of family resource and support programs that are prevention oriented; (2) encourage early intervention of such programs with families to ameliorate problem situations before such situations become crises; and (3) assist parents in enhancing their children’s development to ensure that their children enter school prepared and ready to learn.

42 U.S.C. § 12352 “Family resource and support programs” defined

As used in this part, the term “family resource and support programs” means community-based services that offer sustained assistance to families at various stages in their development. Such services shall promote parental competencies and behaviors that will lead to the healthy and positive personal development of parents and children through— (1) the provision of assistance to build family skills and assist parents in improving their capacities to be supportive and nurturing parents; (2) the provision of assistance to families to enable such families to use other formal and informal resources and opportunities for assistance that are available within the communities of such families; and (3) the creation of supportive networks to enhance the childrearing capacity of parents and assist in compensating for the increased social isolation and vulnerability of families.

42 U.S.C. § 12353 Establishment of National Center on Family Resource and Support Programs

(a) EstablishmentThe Commissioner shall establish, through grant or contract, a national center for the collection and provision of programmatic information and technical assistance that relates to all types of family resource and support programs, to be known as the “National Center on Family Resource and Support Programs”. (b) FunctionsThe national center established under subsection (a) shall serve as a national information and data clearinghouse, training, technical assistance, and material development source for family resource and support programs. Such center shall—(1) develop and maintain a system for disseminating information on all types of family resource and support programs and on the state of family resource and support program development, including information concerning the most effective model programs; (2) develop and sponsor a variety of training institutes and curricula for family resource and support program staff; (3) identify several programs representing the various types of family resource and support programs to develop technical assistance materials and activities to assist other agencies in establishing family resource and support programs; and (4) develop State-wide networks of family resource and support programs for the purpose of sharing and disseminating information.

42 U.S.C. § 12354 Evaluation

The Commissioner shall, through grants or contracts awarded or entered into with independent auditors, conduct evaluations and related activities, of family resource and support programs, including— (1) evaluations of on-going programs; (2) process evaluations focusing on implementation strategies; and (3) the development of simple evaluation models for use by local family resource and support programs.

42 U.S.C. § 12355 Authorization of appropriations

(a) Establishment of CenterTo carry out section 12353 of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1998. (b) EvaluationTo carry out section 12354 of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1996 through 1998.

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