ACF
Administration for Children and Families
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) focused on advancing the economic and social well-being of families, children, and communities. Created in 1991, ACF oversees a broad range of human services programs that address family stability, child welfare, early education, and support for vulnerable populations.
Key facts
- Founded: April 15, 1991
- Parent agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Headquarters: 330 C Street SW, Washington, D.C.
- Budget: Over $70 billion (FY 2024)【turn0search0】
- Employees: Approximately 1,700 nationwide【turn0search0】
Mission and scope
ACF partners with state, local, tribal, and community organizations to deliver programs in child welfare, family assistance, Head Start, child care, child support enforcement, and refugee resettlement. Its goal is to empower families, reduce poverty, and support equitable opportunities for all children to thrive. The agency also advises the HHS Secretary on policies affecting children, youth, and families【turn0search0】【turn0search1】
Organizational structure
ACF comprises numerous program offices, each managing distinct initiatives. Key offices include the Office of Family Assistance, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Office of Head Start, and the Administration for Native Americans. These offices work across ten regional offices nationwide and a central office in Washington, D.C., ensuring federal programs are effectively implemented and monitored【turn0search0】
Notable initiatives
Recent efforts include A Home for Every Child, a national initiative to improve foster home availability and outcomes for children in care, and the public Child Welfare Performance Dashboard, providing transparent state-level data on safety and permanency outcomes. Such initiatives emphasize ACF’s role in promoting data-driven reform and family-centered solutions【turn0search4】【turn0search5】
Historical background
Although established in 1991, many ACF programs—like the Children’s Bureau (founded in 1912)—predate the agency and represent the federal government’s earliest commitment to child welfare. Over time, ACF has evolved to integrate anti-poverty, education, and family-support programs under one organizational framework, becoming one of the largest human services administrations in the United States【turn0search0】