3: Human Services
Promote the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Other Information:
Welfare reform stands as a flagship achievement in social policy reform in the mid-1990s. Through welfare reform, many Americans
were helped in breaking the cycle of dependency and encouraged to pursue self-sufficiency. Since the reforms were passed in
1996, the employment rates of current and former welfare recipients have risen and caseloads have declined dramatically. Earnings
for current welfare recipients have increased, as have earnings for female headed households in general. In addition, child
poverty rates have declined substantially since the start of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. States
are using their flexibility to focus a growing portion of welfare dollars on helping individuals retain jobs and advance in
their employment. Despite these achievements, self-sufficiency remains elusive for many. Only a third of adults in the TANF
caseload are fully meeting work requirements. The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (Public Law 109- 171), which includes
language reauthorizing TANF through 2011, challenges and encourages States to engage the remaining adult TANF recipients in
workrelated activities to move them up the economic ladder. Addressing the needs of vulnerable children continues to be a
priority of HHS. The most recent annual HHS Child Maltreatment Report (covering 2005) indicated that each year an estimated
899,000 children in the United States are victims of abuse or neglect. At the end of FY 2005, there were 513,000 children
in foster care; 114,000 of these children were waiting to be adopted. Nearly 2 million children have a parent in a Federal
or State correctional facility, a number that more than doubled over the 1990s. Since 1996, the percentage of children born
out of wedlock to teens has dropped but still remains unacceptably high. In addition, more adults are choosing to have children
outside the protective bonds of marriage. Research suggests that, all other things being equal, children who grow up in healthy
married, two-parent families do better on a host of outcomes; for instance, they are less likely to engage in criminal activity
or abuse drugs and alcohol than those who do not. HHS’s multicomponent Healthy Marriage Initiative works to help couples who
have chosen marriage to gain access to services where they can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain
healthy marriages. Making marriage education accessible and appropriate for families is a major component. Children are not
alone in their need for support. As the American population ages, enhanced efforts are needed to help the growing number of
older persons remain active and healthy. An aging society means that the number of persons requiring long-term care services
will increase. The availability of these services in the home and other community-based settings will be increasingly important
if people are to maintain their independence and quality of life. People with disabilities, refugees and other migrants, and
other vulnerable populations also need assistance and protection to achieve and sustain economic independence and self-sufficiency,
as well as social well-being. Strategic Goal 3, Human Services, seeks to protect life, family, and human dignity by promoting
the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhancing the safety and well-being of children,
youth, and other vulnerable populations; and strengthening communities. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF),
Administration on Aging (AoA), Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI), Office on Disability (OD), and Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are among the operating and staff divisions primarily responsible
for achieving this strategic goal. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA), and Office for Civil Rights (OCR) play important roles. There are four broad objectives under
Human Services: Promote the economic independence and social well-being of individuals and families across the lifespan; *
Protect the safety and foster the well-being of children and youth; * Encourage the development of strong, healthy, and supportive
communities; and * Address the needs, strengths, and abilities of vulnerable populations. Below is a description of each strategic
objective, followed by a description of the key programs, services, and initiatives the Department is undertaking to accomplish
those objectives. Key partners and collaborative efforts are included under each relevant objective. The performance indicators
selected for this strategic goal are also presented with baselines and targets. These measures are organized by objective.
Finally, this chapter discusses the major external factors that will influence HHS’s ability to achieve these objectives,
and how the Department is working to address those factors. Meeting External Challenges: Within the human service goal, changes
in economic conditions, specifically downturns, have been shown to be the most influential external factor influencing how
successful HHS’s strategies are in accomplishing its stated objectives. Historically, when negative economic conditions occur,
welfare recipients, low-income people, and persons with disabilities are more vulnerable to unemployment; and fewer local
resources and safety nets exist for these populations. Decreases in State and local revenue could result in a reduction in
funding for home and community based placements for individuals with disabilities. Family stress is greater as economic situations
deteriorate, leading to increased potential for violence and family breakup. Noncustodial parents may lose jobs or income
resulting in fluctuations in income support ability. To mitigate these effects, HHS works at the State level to enhance States’
capacity to coordinate a broad range of services, conducts research, provides technical assistance, and identifies best practices
that focus on elimination of barriers for the hard-to-employ and cost effective service delivery. Additionally, HHS can assist
community action agencies, community development corporations, and other community groups in leveraging Federal, State, local,
and philanthropic resources to strengthen neighborhoods; build social capital by developing community leadership and strengthening
community-based organizations; and support asset development projects for residents of distressed communities. On the individual
level, HHS provides information and support for consumers and their caregivers and ensures individuals and families are connected
to safety net programs for which they are eligible through outreach and referral. HHS also provides support for child care
services, working to connect families with the most appropriate child care setting (also called parental choice) and helping
families moving into work to remain connected to other safety net programs for which they are eligible. Child support enforcement
activities can also be coordinated with opportunities for job training and supported work activities.
Objective(s):
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