Data Governance

Data governance is the mechanism (i.e., structures, processes, and policies) for organizational staff and leadership to manage data throughout the data lifecycle, while ensuring its security, exploring opportunities to share data for evidence-building activities, and using data for programmatic, evaluation and research purposes. It provides a foundation for consistency, transparency, and accountability in how data is collected, maintained, and used across an organization. Effective data governance also enables better decision-making by improving data quality, enhancing interoperability, and fostering a culture of responsible data stewardship.

ACF’s data governance goals include:

• Make data more usable, accessible, and protected to meet the operational and evidence-building data governance needs of ACF
• Meet the operational and evidence-building data governance needs of ACF offices
• Promote the reuse of ACF data for evidence-building purposes at the state, local, tribal, territory, and grant recipient levels

In support of ACF data governance, OPRE supports implementation of data-related laws and policies, such as Title II of the Evidence-based Policymaking Act of 2018, the Information Quality Act Guidelines, Geospatial Data Act of 2018, HHS Open Data Policy, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and various White House policies or guidance related to data governance such as open access, interoperability, and artificial intelligence.  

The Division of Data Governance within ACF’s Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO) supports ACF programs in responsibly managing and using data to improve the effectiveness, and efficiency, of human services programs.  Specifically, the Division of Data Governance:

• Administers the ACF Data Governance Council, which is a representative, decision-making body that substantially informs data processes, guidance, and initiatives applicable across the agency. It serves as the primary structure for cross-office coordination and implementation of agency-wide data governance initiatives. It  co-chaired by the Chief Data Officer and Chief Technology Officer.
• Coordinates with the HHS Data Governance Board and HHS Data Council to ensure alignment of efforts and streamline data governance practices.
• Develops priorities for data collection and analysis and conducts demonstrations and develops tools, policies, and procedures that support the increased accessibility and reuse of administrative and survey data for statistical purposes.
• Supports the implementation of Departmental and other Federal requirements in ways that are useful to ACF and minimizes burden on ACF program offices.
• Develops tools, policies, and procedures that support the increased accessibility and reuse of administrative and survey data for statistical purposes.