The Family Room Blog

ACF Launches New Strategic Plan

ACF has been developing a strategic plan that identifies critical priorities that intentionally cut across ACF programs and populations and reflect the interrelatedness of our work. Today, after an extensive process of engaging ACF staff and stakeholders—including powerful conversations with program participants and grantees—we are thrilled to launch our new strategic plan.

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Operation Allies Welcome: A Health Care Success Story

In late July 2021, HHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) joined the whole-of-government efforts, which later became known as Operation Allies Welcome, to relocate tens of thousands of Afghans and their families, many due to their committed service to support U.S. military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan.

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New Requirement for Head Start Staff Vaccination and Universal Masking

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing new Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to outline the masking and COVID-19 vaccination requirements for grant recipient staff, and the timelines, exceptions, and exemptions for each. Consistent with other HSPPS, these standards will apply to Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, and American Indian and Alaska Native, and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs. The Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (IFC) is now posted in the Federal Register.

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Healing from the Trauma of Federal Residential Indian Boarding Schools

The Indian Civilization Act of 1819, Boarding Schools, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

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HHS Offices Partner to Increase Services for Older Americans and Individuals with Disabilities

In 2020, 37.2 million Americans — 11.4 percent of the population — lived in poverty. The numbers are even higher now, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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ACF’s Commitment to Native Americans

Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month

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We Can Shine A Light: November is National Runaway Prevention Month

Each November, ACF's Family and Youth Services Bureau supports National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) to “shine a light” on the issues affecting runaway and homeless youth.

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Scaling Innovations Developed by Community-Based Organizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color. In responding to a public health emergency that has compounded existing systemic inequities, many communities have demonstrated resiliency and innovation. The Office of Community Service’s (OCS) Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program will support, adapt, and/or scale 16 distinct innovations through an initiative called Project Impact: CSBG Rapid-Cycle Projects. With over $3.7 million in funding, 16 community agencies across the U.S. will spend the next 15 months exploring how service models used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic can be strengthened and adapted to meet ongoing and future community needs.  

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Head Start Programs Are for Families

Family is the heart of the mission for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). We believe that families are the most important partner when it comes to improving outcomes for individual children, families, and communities. Family is what Head Start programs are all about. Head Start programs continue to be the nation’s premier provider of early childhood education and comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, pregnant people and a consistent partner with families. The work of Head Start programs exemplify the core values of ACF — to provide support to enrolled families when they need it most.

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OHSEPR continues support for U.S. citizens evacuated from Afghanistan

OHSEPR partners with states and nongovernmental organizations to support families evacuated from Afghanistan.

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