Proposed Information Collection: TANF Pilot Evaluation by ACF/HHS
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The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced a proposed new data collection initiative tied to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This notice signals the agency's intent to design and conduct a formal pilot evaluation of TANF, which is the federal block grant program providing states with funds to assist low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. The proposed evaluation is in its planning stage, and the notice is part of the standard federal information collection clearance process under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). ACF/OPRE is required to publish such notices to inform the public and solicit comments before submitting a formal information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The pilot evaluation aims to generate rigorous evidence about the effectiveness of TANF program models, services, or interventions — likely including employment services, case management, or benefit delivery mechanisms. Data collected would support policy decisions about TANF program design and funding at the federal and state levels. Stakeholders including state TANF agencies, service providers, researchers, and low-income families may be directly affected by or asked to participate in data collection activities associated with this evaluation.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- ACF/OPRE proposes a new formal pilot evaluation of the TANF program, representing a new research initiative not previously authorized under existing data collection approvals
- New data collection activities will be designed targeting TANF program participants, state agencies, and/or service providers — specific instruments pending OMB approval
- Public comment period is open as of the March 27, 2026 notice date, giving stakeholders an opportunity to respond before the information collection request is finalized
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Obligations
What this law requires
ACF/OPRE must publish a notice in the Federal Register informing the public of the proposed TANF Pilot Evaluation data collection before submitting a formal information collection request to OMB
ACF/OPRE must solicit public comments on the proposed TANF Pilot Evaluation data collection as part of the standard federal information collection clearance process
ACF/OPRE must submit a formal information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval before implementing the TANF Pilot Evaluation data collection
ACF/OPRE must comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requirements in designing and conducting the TANF Pilot Evaluation