HHS Simplifies Congress-Funded Project Paperwork
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Administration for Children and Families is updating and extending their project application form for community projects funded by Congress. They’ve simplified the language to make applying easier and less time-consuming. If you’re involved in these projects, get ready to use the new form starting after March 2026 and share your thoughts by March 24, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Shorter application, less time
If your organization is a Congressionally Directed Community Project (CDCP) recipient, ACF revised and streamlined the CDCP application form to simplify language and navigation. ACF estimates 125 CDCP recipients annually, with the form averaging 20 hours per response (2,500 total annual burden hours); the revised form will be used starting after March 2026 and ACF requests comments by March 24, 2026.
New form asks standard project details
The CDCP Uniform Project Description (CDCP-UPD) requires recipients to provide project activities, timeline, organizational capacity, and budget justification so ACF can assess risk, identify technical assistance and monitoring needs, and meet requirements of Congress, ACF, HHS, OMB, and statutory rules. The information collection aligns with HHS regulations 2 CFR 200.206 and 2 CFR 200.207.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16414, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008. The proposed rule would have amended the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendices to Part 1355 to modify the requirements for States to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home care and in subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements with the State. This document also withdraws the provision of the 2008 proposed rule that implemented the AFCARS penalty requirements of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-145).
2026-16134, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs
This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children.
2026-11530, Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632, Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-16933, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is delaying the effective date of the new routine use under the modified system of records maintained by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) within HHS' Administration for Children and Families (ACF), System No. 09-80-0375, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data that appeared in the Federal Register of June 23, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01258, Application for Enhancement of Survival Permit, University of Illinois at Chicago; Draft Conservation Benefit Agreement for Eleven Bumble Bee Species
The University of Illinois at Chicago wants a 35-year permit to help protect 11 bumble bee species, including two endangered ones, while allowing landowners to keep using their land responsibly. This plan aims to boost bee survival across the U.S. by encouraging voluntary conservation on energy and transportation lands. Public comments are open until February 23, 2026, so everyone can weigh in on this buzzing opportunity!
Next: 2026-01260, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Revision of a Previously Approved Collection; Title-United States Victim of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund Application
The Department of Justice is updating the application form for the United States Victim of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. This affects victims seeking compensation and aims to make the process easier and clearer, with a chance for the public to comment until February 23, 2026. No major cost changes are expected, but the update focuses on reducing paperwork and improving how info is collected.