The Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) created the Grants
to States for Access and Visitation program (AV grant program).
Funding for the program began in FY 1997 with a capped, annual
entitlement of $10 million. The statutory goal of the program is to
provide funds to states that will enable them to provide services
for the purpose of increasing noncustodial parent (NCP) access to
and visitation with their children. State governors decide which
state entity will be responsible for implementing the AV grant
program and the state determines who will be served, what services
will be provided, and whether the services will be statewide or in
local jurisdictions. The statute specifies certain activities which
may be funded, including: voluntary and mandatory mediation,
counseling, education, the development of parenting plans,
supervised visitation, and the development of guidelines for
visitation and alternative custody arrangements. Even though OCSE
manages this program, the funding for the AV grant is separate from
funding for federal and state administration of the Child Support
program. Section 469B(e)(3) of the Social Security Act
(Pub.L.104-193) requires that each state receiving an Access and
Visitation (AV) grant award monitor, evaluate and report on such
programs in accordance with regulations (45 CFR Part 303). The AV
Grant Program Terms and Conditions Addendum references
administration of the grant program in accordance with an approved
state application. Additionally, the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance, states that there is an application requirement for
Grants to States for Access and Visitation Programs (93.597). The
application process assists OCSE in complying with this requirement
and is reflective of a greater emphasis on program efficiency,
coordination of services, and increased attention to family
safety.
US Code:
42
USC 669b Name of Law: Grants To States For Access and
Visitation Programs Sec. 469B
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.