Preface

This optional guide was developed to support State and ACF professionals in the development, review, and approval of feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, and cost/benefit analyses.

Comments were requested and received from both ACF central and regional office staff and were incorporated, wherever possible, in this guide. Yet, the true test of any manual is how well it supports analysts in the performance of their assigned tasks and whether it remains relevant and useful. In this sense, the final test of this guide by the ultimate users - the States - remains.

This guide seeks to establish a standard analytical approach, develop a framework for analysis and documentation, and provide worksheets to support the State during analysis and comparison of alternatives. Even with these aids, we do not underestimate the difficulty of the analysis, judgement, and determinations required of the individuals conducting feasibility, alternatives, and cost/benefit analyses. However, this guide does not attempt to provide a "cookbook" approach or a set of solutions. Although use of this guide is encouraged - to ease and expedite Federal review and approval - the guide is not mandatory.

ACF welcomes suggestions from those using this guide. An Evaluation, Comments, and Suggestions form is included in Appendix C to this Guide. This form or any other written comments may be sent to:

Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Director, Office of State Systems
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW
Washington, DC 20447-0001
Fax (202) 401-6960

ACF has developed other resources for preparing cost/benefit studies. For example, the Companion Guide provides examples of a cost/benefit analysis and cost/benefit measurement report, prepared under the general guidelines of this Feasibility, Alternatives, and Cost/Benefit Analysis Guide. In addition, ACF offers a prototype set of spreadsheet templates and macros (with brief instruction sheet) to automate the development and production of cost/benefit analysis reports recommended by the Guide. These templates are available in Lotus 1-2-3 , Microsoft Excel , and Borland Quattro-Pro formats. They are recommended only for experienced users since ACF can provide only limited phone support. For further information, call or write to ACF.

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