Office of Regional Operations

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Office of Regional Operations

Mission Statement

The Office of Regional Operations (ORO) advises the ACF Assistant Secretary on state relations and cross-cutting strategic initiatives, leveraging partnerships to improve the economic and social well-being of children, families, individuals, and communities.

Program Description

Purpose

The Office of Regional Operations focuses on the full breadth of the ACF portfolio of human services programs and issues. ORO responds and adapts to ACF, HHS, and administration priorities and functions as the eyes and ears of ACF leadership in the regions. ORO provides the contextual understanding of the region, states, and local and rural communities to inform program and policy.

In addition, ORO:

  • Positions ACF as a hub of innovation by convening new partners, and collaborating across program offices and federal agencies, states, tribes, territories, cities, and communities
  • Elevates state and locally-driven solutions 
  • Creates strategic partnerships for scale, results, and impact
  • Facilitates public-private partnerships to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities
  • Provides human services executive leadership with quality technical assistance 
  • Provides critical leadership to prepare and respond to emergencies and disasters

Goal

The Office of Regional Operations focuses on systems and organizational change to improve the social and economic well-being of children and families served by ACF. ORO’s overall goal is to put families at the center of our work, empower low-income families to become self-sufficient, and provide all children and families with the opportunity to succeed.

Core Functions

ORO focuses on five key function areas:

  • Senior ACF Representative in the Region: Representing the ACF Assistant Secretary in the regions, with state and territory human services commissioners and other national, tribal, regional and local leadership
  • State, Local and Tribal Relations: Listening and learning from our key customers — state, local and tribal human services leadership
  • Cross-Programmatic Initiatives: Influencing and leveraging strategic partnerships with national, state, local, tribal, territorial and other HHS operating divisions and federal agencies to improve outcomes for families and advance ACF priorities
  • Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery: Responding to multiple, simultaneous disasters and adapting to new and emerging priorities
  • Regional Office Management: Supporting the administrative infrastructure and staff in the regional offices.

Structure

ORO consists of a headquarters office and 10 regional offices that work to supports its mission:

Central and Regional Office Staff is comprised of:

  • Director
  • Regional Administrators
  • Executive/Administrative Officers
  • Program Specialists
  • Regional Emergency Management Specialists
  • Operations Support

 

Regional Offices

Many ACF programs also have staff in each regional office. They oversee the programmatic and financial areas of a particular ACF program and provide guidance to grantees and various entities responsible for administering these programs.

The regional offices are in the following locations:

ORO Regional Office Map