What We Do

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) administers several key federal grant programs, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF) program. TANF programs help families foster economically secure households and communities for the well-being and long-term success of children and families. TANF grants are issued to states, territories and tribes to implement programs that best serve their distinct communities. States, territories and tribes may use TANF funds to provide cash assistance to families with children.
 
The central purposes of OFA are to:

  • Ensure that parents have the resources they need to care for their children at home
  • Promote responsible fatherhood, engaged parenting, marriage and healthy relationships
  • Foster the long-term self-sufficiency, empowerment and success of all low-income families with employment opportunities, job training and educational support

OFA also administers the Native Employment Works (NEW) program, the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood discretionary grant program, the Tribal TANF- Child Welfare Coordination discretionary grant program and the Health Profession Opportunities discretionary grant program.

To carry out our mission, the Office of Family Assistance:

  • Develops legislative, regulatory and budgetary proposals
  • Presents program strategies and initiatives to the Director
  • Oversees the progress of approved activities
  • Provides leadership and coordination for welfare reform within ACF

The Office of Family Assistance is organized as follows:

Division of State TANF Policy
This division drafts regulations and provides policy and guidance for the TANF programs operated by states, the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The division:  

  • Assesses plans and amendments
  • Evaluates operations to determine compliance with program requirements
  • Provides advice on penalty actions to be taken, including corrective action plans designed to remedy operational deficiencies
  • Provides technical assistance to grantees and information to the public

Division of State and Territory TANF Management
This division provides technical assistance to states, territories, localities and community groups. In addition, the division oversees the implementation of the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood initiatives.

Division of Data Collection and Analysis
This division collects, compiles, analyzes  and disseminates TANF statistical and financial data.

Division of Tribal TANF Management
This division provides program guidance and technical assistance to:

  • Federally recognized American Indian tribes and certain Alaska Native entities in development, implementation and administration of Tribal TANF programs
  • Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in implementation and administration of Native Employment Works (NEW) programs
  • Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in implementation and administration of Tribal TANF Child Welfare Coordination projects

The division also provides information, guidance and technical assistance to tribes and state and federal agencies on program-related issues and legislation.

Office of Family Assistance Regional Program Units
Program units collaborate with ACF, states, tribes and other grantees to assist in the administration of their respective TANF, Tribal TANF and NEW grants.