ACF Data

ACF aims to use the power of data to develop evidence and continuously improve human services. ACF collects a wide range of data from grant recipients, including states, tribes, localities, and other partners, which are used to manage programs, build evidence, and conduct research to inform human services policy and program design.  OPRE regularly archives research and evaluation data for secondary analysis, consistent with the ACF Evaluation Policy, which promotes rigor, relevance, transparency, independence, and ethics in the conduct of evaluation and research. One practice that OPRE implements to support these principles is the responsible archiving of data for secondary analysis. Archiving evaluation data for appropriate secondary use by researchers promotes rigor and transparency by encouraging the external validation and reproducibility of published results or findings. 

More information about available data resources, including data reports such as annual statistical reports, reports to Congress, and online tabular data, can be found on ACF Program Office Data Pages.

OPRE’s Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO) was established in December 2024 in support of ACF’s Data Strategy (PDF), which lays out a bold vision to ensure that data delivers for ACF’s mission. OCDO guides and supports how ACF collects, manages, protects, and uses data to improve human services. OCDO ensures that data work across ACF is strategic, coordinated, and aligned with goals for effectiveness and efficiency. It advises ACF leadership on how to responsibly manage data, improve performance, and use new technologies. 

OCDO works with OPRE’s Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE), ACF Tech, and other partners across ACF to: 

• Assess, manage, and improve data assets and processes over lifecycle
• Build a culture that values data as an important input to decisions
• Build capacity to better leverage data, complementing the skills and processes that already exist in program offices
• Lead programs towards more predictable and consistent data management
• Make data use more efficient and effective
• Support the flow of data through the enterprise
• Coordinate with evidence officials

OCDO guides and supports data activities by providing a continuum of services in three primary areas: Data Governance, Data Capacity, and Data Privacy. 

Data Governance

ODCO coordinates and advises on data governance activities and policies for ACF. It sets data standards, supports open data initiatives, manages ACF’s adherence to the Paperwork Reduction Act, and ensures data quality. It also addresses emerging issues like artificial intelligence and supports the ACF Data Governance Council.

Data Capacity

OCDO strengthens ACF’s ability to analyze and use data through expert guidance, tools, and staff support. It helps improve planning, performance measurement, and data analysis across the agency to help program offices address time-sensitive challenges, optimize operations, and implement data-driven solutions. The Data Talent Center, housed within the Division of Data Capacity, is a centralized resource dedicated to maintaining a culture of data excellence at ACF, building skills, and supporting ACF in accessing and engaging premier data talent. 

Data Privacy

OCDO provides support on data ethics, sharing, privacy, and confidentiality for ACF. It analyzes policies and laws affecting data sharing and privacy, and collaborates with the Chief Technology Officer and Office of General Counsel to manage privacy risks and requirements. It also develops and oversees privacy policies, privacy policy capacity building and individual support for ACF programs on data privacy.

Harnessing the power of research, evaluation, and data together in coordination advances our ability to create and support the use of a robust body of evidence to strengthen ACF programs.