
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC12312]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
   CHAPTER 127--COORDINATED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
 
SUBCHAPTER I--ESTABLISHMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND AWARDING OF GRANTS FOR 
                                PROGRAMS
 
         Part A--Administration on Children, Youth, and Families
 
Sec. 12312. Functions of Commissioner


(a) In general

    The Commissioner shall--
        (1) serve as the effective and visible advocate for children, 
    youth, and families within the Department of Health and Human 
    Services and with other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities 
    of the Federal Government by maintaining active review and 
    commenting responsibilities, as appropriate, concerning Federal 
    policies affecting young individuals, and the families of young 
    individuals;
        (2) collect and disseminate information related to the problems 
    of young individuals and the families of such individuals;
        (3) assist the Secretary in appropriate matters pertaining to 
    young individuals, and the families of such individuals;
        (4) administer the grants authorized under this subchapter;
        (5) develop plans and conduct research in the field of young 
    individuals, and the families of such individuals;
        (6) assist, to the maximum extent practicable, in the 
    establishment and implementation of programs designed to meet the 
    needs of young individuals for supportive services including--
            (A) health and mental health services;
            (B) housing and shelter assistance;
            (C) education and training services;
            (D) protective services;
            (E) foster care;
            (F) teen parenting support;
            (G) child care;
            (H) family support and preservation;
            (I) teen pregnancy prevention and counseling;
            (J) counseling on the effects of violence in the communities 
        of such individuals and their families;
            (K) recreational and volunteer opportunities; and
            (L) comprehensive early childhood development;

        (7) provide technical assistance and consultation to States and 
    the political subdivisions of such States with respect to programs 
    for young individuals;
        (8) prepare, publish, and disseminate educational materials 
    concerning the welfare of young individuals;
        (9) gather statistics concerning young individuals, and the 
    families of such individuals, that other Federal agencies are not 
    collecting;
        (10) to the maximum extent practicable coordinate activities 
    carried out or assisted by all departments, agencies, and 
    instrumentalities of the Federal Government with respect to the 
    collection, preparation, and dissemination of information relevant 
    to young individuals and the families of such individuals;
        (11) stimulate more effective uses of existing resources and 
    available services for young individuals and the families of such 
    individuals;
        (12) develop basic policies and set priorities with respect to 
    the development and operation of programs and activities conducted 
    under this chapter;
        (13) convene conferences of authorities and officials of 
    organizations, including Federal, State, and local agencies, and 
    nonprofit private organizations, of programs for children, youth and 
    their families for the development and implementation of policies 
    related to the priorities and purposes of this chapter, including 
    topics such as the establishment of a nationwide network of 
    comprehensive, coordinated services and opportunities for such 
    individuals;
        (14) conduct periodic evaluations of the programs and activities 
    related to the purposes of this chapter; and
        (15) develop, in coordination with other agencies, methods to 
    ensure adequate training for personnel concerning children, youth 
    and families and to ensure the adequate dissemination of such 
    information to appropriate State and community agencies.

(b) Encouragement of volunteerism

    In executing the duties and functions of the Administration under 
this subchapter and in carrying out the programs and activities 
authorized under this chapter, the Commissioner, in consultation with 
the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and 
Community Service, shall take necessary steps to coordinate with and 
seek the advice of voluntary agencies and organizations that provide 
services related to the purposes of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 101-501, title IX, Sec. 916, Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1263; Pub. 
L. 103-82, title IV, Sec. 405(o), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 922.)


                               Amendments

    1993--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103-82 substituted ``the Chief Executive 
Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service'' for 
``the Director of the ACTION Agency''.


                    Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 103-82 effective Apr. 4, 1994, see section 
406(b) of Pub. L. 103-82, set out as a note under section 8332 of Title 
5, Government Organization and Employees.
