This brief describes available data on the licensing status of Head Start service locations and child care programs, and outlines existing infrastructure that can support alignment and coordination between Head Start and state licensing systems.
Office of Human Services Policy (HSP)
The Office of Human Services Policy (HSP) strives to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families and break down silos across government. It does so by providing timely, actionable, cross-cutting policy analysis and research, and by leading cross-government coordination to address urgent human services challenges. The office works closely with federal, state, local, and private sector partners on issues including economic mobility and employment, child poverty and well-being, child welfare, family strengthening and fatherhood, early childhood education, youth development, community initiatives, child support, recidivism, and homelessness.
HSP advises the ASPE and other HHS leadership on human services policy matters. It leads and actively participates in interagency initiatives to align federal programming; conducts policy analysis and other research on human services and related issues; shares findings with and provides technical assistance to a diverse range of stakeholders; and coordinates development of HHS’s human services legislative proposals. HSP serves as a liaison with other agencies on broad economic matters and is the Department’s lead on poverty measurement.
The Office of Human Services Policy has three divisions:
- The Division of Children and Youth Policy focuses on policies related to the well-being of children and youth, including early childhood education and child welfare, and leads the Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council and the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs.
- The Division of Family and Community Policy covers policies to strengthen low-income families and communities and address barriers to economic mobility. The division leads the Interagency Council on Economic Mobility.
- The Division of Data and Technical Analysis provides data analytic capacity for policy development through data collection activities, secondary data analysis, modeling, and cost analyses. The Division also issues annual updates to the poverty guidelines and reports to Congress on indicators of welfare dependence.
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services Policy: Jennifer Burnszynski
Reports
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Advanced SearchASPE Issue Brief
Nearly a Quarter of LIHEAP Funds Are Not Spent on Direct Household Energy Assistance, with Four Percent Reserved in FY25
This brief examines how states allocated Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds from FY16 through FY25, including spending on direct energy assistance, weatherization, administrative and other activities, and funds carried over to subsequent fiscal years. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
Research Does Not Identify an Optimal Teacher-Child Ratio That Improves Child Outcomes, Though More Stringent Ratios May Increase Per Child Spending
This brief reviews the literature on the relationship between teacher-child ratios and child outcomes, then describes how Head Start ratio standards compare with existing state licensing standards. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
Frozen at $2,000 Since 1986: The Coverage of Non-Recurring Adoption Expenses Has Lost Two-Thirds of Its Purchasing Power Over 40 Years
KEY POINTSCoverage of non-recurring adoption expenses can help reduce upfront adoption costs for families – covering expenses like legal fees, court costs, home studies, and necessary transportation, food, and lodging – supporting permanency for children with special needs.
Research Brief
Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Rates Have Declined While Determination Costs Have Increased: Meanwhile Eligibility Review Results Have Varied Since FY00
This brief synthesizes national caseload and expenditure data related to Title IV-E foster care eligibility and summarizes the Children’s Bureau’s published Title IV-E foster care eligibility review findings. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
Over the Past 10 Years, Head Start Administrative Spending Remained Relatively Steady and Always Below the 15 Percent Statutory Ceiling
This brief describes the share of spending on administrative expenses in Head Start. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
Exposure to Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Is Associated With Child Welfare System Involvement
KEY POINTSExisting research shows that children’s exposure to domestic violence (DV)/ intimate partner violence (IPV) increases the likelihood of involvement with the child welfare system (including child protective services (CPS) involvement and foster care entry).
ASPE Issue Brief
From FY16 to FY25, Fewer Head Start Families Received Comprehensive Services and the Percentage of Families Receiving Services Also Declined for Many Categories
This brief examines how Head Start’s comprehensive service delivery changed between the 2015-2016 (FY16) and 2024-2025 (FY25) program years, focused on volume (total number) and rate (percent) of children and families who received comprehensive services. Key findings include:
ASPE Issue Brief
Structure Matters: How State Child Support Program Administration and Procedures Can Impact Federal Spending and Support Order Establishment Performance
h3 { max-width: 100% !important; } p{max-width: 100% !important;}KEY POINTSFederal spending per child support case increased from $374.31 to $435.82 (in inflation adjusted dollars) between Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) and FY24.
ASPE Issue Brief
HHS' Historical Approach to Head Start Regulation Following the 2007 Statutory Reauthorization has Increased Costs and Reduced Access, without Substantial Quality Gains
This brief describes HHS' historical approach to Head Start regulation following the 2007 statutory reauthorization. Key findings include: