What GAO Found GAO found that 242 federal programs, inclusive of 12 tax expenditures, provide a range of benefits and services to pregnant women, children through age 5, or their families, among other groups. Of the 242 programs, 15 provide some amount of direct services solely to this population. Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Programs That Provide Some Amount of Direct Services Solely to Pregnant Women, Children Through Age 5, or Their Families, by Agency The 15 programs are fragmented across five federal agencies, meaning the programs overlap across the agencies to some extent—with similar populations or services. However, the programs are not duplicative because they vary in beneficiary population characteristics or type of services provided. Officials from all 15 programs reported coordinating with other programs serving pregnant women, children through age 5, or their families. Coordination improves agencies’ ability to provide services and improves outcomes for beneficiaries. Three of the 15 programs have not fully established a performance management process at the federal level—in which they set performance goals, collect performance information, and use that information to assess results: HHS’s Preschool Development Grants Birth Through Five Program. HHS officials said this program does not set federal performance goals because it…
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Pregnancy and Early Childhood: Performance Management Process Needed for Three Programs
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain