ACF announces $42 million in grant awards to build economic stability and support family well-being

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced grant awards totaling approximately $44 million across two ACF program offices - the Office of Community Services (OCS) and the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) - to improve the financial well-being of children and families.

"Economic security and the health and well-being of families are inextricably linked," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "This funding will contribute to affordable housing and employment services for families and provide critical investments in communities that need it most. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to invest and implement support services that help American families and improve their financial security."

OCS is awarding 30 recipients a total of $18 million in Community Economic Development (CED) grants and nine recipients approximately $2 million in Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration (AHSSD) grants. CED grants support economic development in underinvested areas by funding business development and the creation of high quality, permanent jobs for individuals with low incomes. AHSSD strengthens supportive services for residents of affordable housing to build individual and family safety, stability, and economic mobility.

"Our community services and child support programs provide critical resources to the children and families we serve," said ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild. "The innovative work funded by these grant awards will increase financial stability, security and independence for families across the country."

Recently, OCS also announced the fourth cohort of the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot , including $8.4 million in awards to expand diaper distribution and additional wraparound support services for caregivers in six states and one tribe. This funding will also provide $7.5 million in supplemental awards to 13 grant recipients from the first two cohorts of the Diaper Distribution Pilot. This brings the total funding allocated for the Diaper Distribution Pilot to $40.2 million since September 2022. Diaper Distribution Pilot projects will now serve 24 states and four tribal communities.

"We are proud to announce the release of critical funding for three key initiatives: Community Economic Development, the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration, and the Diaper Distribution Demonstration Program," said OCS Deputy Director Janelle George. "These programs reflect our commitment to strengthening communities by addressing some of the most pressing needs faced by families today. By investing in sustainable economic growth, ensuring access to affordable housing and support services, and providing basic necessities like diapers, we are working together to build more resilient, equitable, and supportive communities across the nation."

In addition, the Office of Child Support Services is awarding $4.7 million to six state and two tribal child support agencies to implement the Next Generation Child Support Employment Services Demonstration (NextGen). The NextGen Demonstration builds on the lessons learned from the Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration . Its goal is to expand and enhance child support-led employment services for noncustodial parents. These services increase the reliable payment of child support and improve the financial well-being of children.

Additionally, ACF awarded $3.4 million to one state for the Technical Assistance and Evaluation of Next Generation Child Support Employment Services (NextGen TAE). NextGen TAE will provide technical assistance and evaluate the NextGen demonstration projects (and up to six tribal programs awarded Section 1115 waivers for similar projects). The project period for all grants is five years.

"NextGen includes critical components to understanding how to best help parents who are struggling to pay child support," said OCSS Commissioner Tanguler Gray. "This service will greatly aid the national child support program in helping parents become employed so they can provide financial support for their children."

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