Legal Definitions - ACF

ACF stands for the Administration for Children and Families.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Its primary mission is to promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. ACF achieves this by administering a wide range of federal programs that provide funding and support to states, territories, tribes, and community organizations for services related to child care, child welfare, family assistance, and other social services.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the Administration for Children and Families:

• Example 1: Supporting Affordable Child Care

  A state government agency applies for and receives federal grants to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care for working parents across its counties. These funds help subsidize child care costs for low-income families and improve the overall quality of child care facilities.

  This illustrates ACF's role because it is the federal agency responsible for administering programs like the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which provides financial assistance to states to help families afford child care and to improve the quality of child care services.

• Example 2: Promoting Family Self-Sufficiency

  A local community organization partners with its state social services department to offer job training, educational support, and financial literacy workshops to families transitioning from public assistance to employment. The goal is to help these families achieve long-term economic independence.

  This demonstrates ACF's function as it oversees and funds programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF provides grants to states to design and operate programs that help needy families achieve self-sufficiency, often through work preparation, job placement, and support services.

• Example 3: Strengthening Child Welfare Systems

  A tribal government receives federal funding to develop and implement a new program focused on preventing child neglect within its community and providing culturally appropriate support for children and families involved in the child welfare system, including foster care and adoption services.

  This example highlights ACF's involvement in child welfare. ACF administers various programs, including those under the Indian Child Welfare Act and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which provide funding and guidance to states and tribal governments to protect children from abuse and neglect, support foster care, facilitate adoptions, and strengthen families.