The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), organized under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is one of the primary agencies of the Federal government responsible for funding and facilitating a wide variety of human services programs designed to benefit America’s youth and their families. These services include: comprehensive Head Start services that promote the positive growth and development of children, youth and their families; protective services and shelter for children and youth in at-risk situations; child care for working families and families dependent upon public assistance; and adoption for children with special needs. These programs provide financial assistance to local grantees, states, community-based organizations, and academic institutions to provide services, carry out research and demonstration activities, and undertake training, technical assistance, and information dissemination.
ACYF is divided into four bureaus, each of which is responsible for different issues involving children, youth, and families. The four program units–the Child Care Bureau, the Children’s Bureau, the Family and Youth Services Bureau, and the Head Start Bureau–each award discretionary funds to public and private nonprofit agencies at the national, state, and local levels.
Children’s Bureau (CB), the oldest federal agency for children, is responsible for assisting States in the delivery of child welfare services - services designed to protect children and strengthen families. The agency provides grants to States, Tribes and communities to operate a range of child welfare services including child protective services (child abuse and neglect) family preservation and support, foster care, adoption and independent living. |
Child Care Bureau (CCB) administers federal funds to states, territories, and tribes to assist low-income families in accessing quality child care for children when the parents work or participate in education or training. The Bureau dedicates itself to enhancing the quality, affordability, and availability of child care for all families. |
Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) supports local communities in providing services and opportunities to young people, particularly runaway and homeless youth. FYSB does so by awarding funding that enables communities to offer services to young people and their families in addition to testing new approaches to helping youth. |
Head Start Bureau (HSB) began with a task force recommendation in 1964 for the development of a federally sponsored preschool program to meet the needs of disadvantaged children. The Bureau serves the child development needs of preschool children (birth through age five) and their low-income families. |
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/grantreview
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