[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65062-65065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31371]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration; Statement of 
Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization 
Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (60 
FR 56605 as amended November 6, 1995; as last amended at 61 FR 24939-
40). This notice reflects the reorganization of the Office of the 
Administrator and the establishment of two independent components in 
the Health Resources and services Administration (HRSA). The changes 
are as follows:
    I. Delete the Office of the Administrator in its entirety and 
replace with the following:
    Section RA-00  Mission. The mission of the Immediate Office of the 
Administrator is to improve the health of the Nation by assuring 
quality health care to underserved, vulnerable and special-need 
populations and by promoting appropriate health professions work force 
capacity and practice, particularly in primary care and public health.
    Section RA-10  Organization. The Office of the Administrator (OA) 
is headed by the Administrator, who reports directly to the Secretary. 
The OA includes the following components:

(A) Office of the Administrator (R)
(B) Aids Program Office (RAA)
(C) Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (RA2)
(D) Office of Policy and Information Coordination (RA3)
(E) Office of Planning, Evaluation and Legislation (RA5)
(F) Office of Communications (RA6)
(G) Office of Public Health Affairs (RA8)
(H) Office of Minority Health (RA9)
    Section RA-20  Functions. A. Immediate Office the Administrator 
(RA). Leads and directs programs and activities of the Agency and 
advises the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services on 
policy matters concerning them.
    B. AIDS Program Office (RAA). Coordinates all AIDS-related 
activities within the Agency; (2) advises the Administrator on policy, 
clinical, and educational issues pertaining to the administration of 
HRSA's AIDS program; (3) keeps the Administrator informed of any 
difficulties arising within or outside HRSA that might adversely affect 
the Agency's ability to carry out its AIDS responsibilities; (4) 
coordinates the formulation of an overall strategy and policy for the 
HRSA AIDS programs; (5) working with the Office of Planning, Evaluation 
and Legislation, coordinates the preparation of HRSA's AIDS-related 
programmatic, budgetary and legislative proposals; (6) monitors and 
analyzes AIDS-related policy and legislative developments for their 
impact on HRSA's AIDS activities; (7) reviews AIDS-related program 
activities to determine their consistency with established policies; 
(8) coordinates HRSA's comments on AIDS-related reports, position 
papers, legislative proposals including requests from other agencies; 
(9) represents the Agency and the Department at AIDS-related meetings, 
conferences, task forces etc; (10) plans and carries out special AIDS-
related assignments for the Administrator.
    C. Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (RA2). Directs, 
coordinates, develops, and administers the Agency's equal opportunity, 
civil rights, and ethics programs. Specifically: (1) provides advice, 
counsel and recommendations to Agency personnel, including the field 
offices, on equal opportunity, and civil rights, and represents HRSA in 
all EEO areas; (2) administers affirmative action programs to ensure 
equality of opportunity in employment; (3) manages the civil service 
complaints system and prepares final Agency decisions; (4) manages the 
complaints system for Commissioned Corps personnel under provisions of 
Public Health Service Personnel Instruction 6 and issues proposed 
dispositions; (5) develops and directs implementation of the 
requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and 
the Americans With Disabilities Act, as they apply to recipients of 
HRSA funds; (6) provides technical assistance and guidance to the 
Agency on developing education and training programs regarding equal 
opportunity and civil rights; (7) promotes the awarding of contracts 
under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act which pertains to 
minorities and women; (8) approves settlement agreements and attorney 
fees; and (9) applies all applicable laws, guidelines, rules and 
regulations in accordance with those of the DHHS Office of Equal 
Employment Opportunity, and Civil Rights Staffs.
    D. Office of Policy and Information Coordination (RA3). Advises the 
Administrator and other key Agency officials on program priorities and 
policy issues; (2) establishes and maintains review and tracking 
mechanisms and systems that provide agencywide coordination and 
clearance of policies, regulations and guidelines; (3) contributes to 
the analysis, development and implementation of agencywide programs and 
policies through coordination of information from relevant Agency 
program components and other related sources; (4) plans, organizes and 
directs the Agency's Executive Secretariat with primary responsibility 
for preparation and management of written policy and other routine 
communications to and from the Administrator; (5) coordinates the 
preparation of proposed rules and regulations relating to Agency 
programs and coordinates Agency review and comment on other DHHS 
regulations that may affect the Agency's programs; and (6) oversees and 
coordinates the Agency's committee management system.
    E. Office of Planning, Evaluation and Legislation (RA5). Serves as 
the Administrator's primary staff element and principal source of 
advice on program planning, program evaluation and legislative affairs; 
(2) develops the Agency's long-range program plan; (3) develops the 
Agency's strategic plan encompassing its long-range goals, objectives 
and priorities; (40) directs all Agency efforts to analyze cost/benefit 
of Agency's programs; (5) develops and implements comprehensive Agency 
evaluation programs; (6) conducts policy analyses and develops policy 
positions in Agency programmatic areas; (7) directs Agency's 
legislative affairs to develop legislative proposals and an agencywide 
legislative program; (8) develops and coordinates the Agency's health 
services research plan; (9) directs performance measurement activities, 
including technical assistance and standards development and 
assessment; and (10) coordinates the program data activities across the 
Agency, including the design and

[[Page 65063]]

management of program tracking and surveillance.
    F. Office of Communications (RA6). Provides communications 
expertise, advice and support to the Administrator and other Agency 
officials; (2) provides leadership and directs Agency strategic 
communications policies and programs; (3) serves as focal point for 
coordination of Agency communications with other DHHS agencies and with 
field, State, local, voluntary and professional organizations; (4) 
develops and implements national communications initiatives to inform 
and educate the public, health care professionals, policymakers and the 
media; (5) researches, writes and prepares speeches and audiovisual 
presentations for the Administrator; (6) develops and implements 
policies, guidelines, and procedures and coordinates Agency external 
and internal communications including those for the development, 
review, processing, quality control, and dissemination of Agency 
communications products, including those disseminated electronically; 
(7) serves as Agency Communications and Public Affairs Officer 
establishing and maintaining productive relationships with the media; 
(8) implements the Freedom of Information Act for the Agency; and (9) 
conducts and coordinates the Agency's exhibits and graphics design 
activities to promote the agencywide identity.
    G. Office of Public Health Affairs (RA8). Serves as the Agency's 
principal advisor and coordinator for clinical, public health, women's, 
international and other health affairs. Specifically: (1) provides 
consultation and assistance to senior Agency officials and others on 
clinical and health professional issues; (2) serves as the Agency's 
focal point on efforts to strengthen the practice of public health as 
it pertains to the HRSA mission; (3) coordinates the Agency's 
international health activities; (4) advises on policies and promotes 
internal and external program activities that address women's health; 
and (5) establishes and maintains communications with health 
organizations in the public and private sectors to support the mission 
of HRSA.
    H. Office of Minority Health (RA9). Serves as the principal Agency 
advisor and coordinator for the special needs of minority and 
disadvantaged populations including advice on committee membership; (2) 
establishes short and long-term objectives for health activities 
addressing minority and disadvantaged populations; (3) participates in 
organization and planning activities to meet national minority health 
needs and collaborates with Agency budget officials to assure an 
appropriate share of funds is devoted to minority health programs; (4) 
consults with public and private sector agencies and organizations to 
assure minority health issues are addressed; (5) participates in 
focusing Agency activities and objectives to assure equity in access to 
resources and health careers for minorities and the disadvantaged; (6) 
establishes and manages an agencywide data collection system for 
minority health activities and initiatives, including White House, 
DHHS, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Educational 
Excellence for Hispanic Americans initiatives; (7) reviews inter/intra-
Agency agreements related to racial/ethnic minority and disadvantaged 
populations; (8) participates in the formulation of HRSA's goals, 
policies, legislative proposals, priorities, and strategies as they 
affect medical, public health and other professional organizations and 
institutions of higher education involved in or concerned with the 
delivery of health services to minorities and disadvantaged 
populations; and (9) links HRSA minority and disadvantaged program 
efforts to potential partners at the Federal, State, and local levels 
and provides agencywide expertise on the development of culturally 
appropriate programs and materials.
    II. Establish the Office of Rural Health Policy (RH) as follows:

Section RH-00  Mission
Section RH-10  Organization
Section RH-20  Function

    Section RH-00  Mission. The Office of Rural Health Policy serves as 
a focal point within the Department and as a principal source of advice 
to the Administrator and Secretary for coordinating efforts to 
strengthen and improve the delivery of health services to populations 
in the nation's rural areas.
    Section RH-10  Organization. The Office of Rural Health Policy.
    Section RH-20  Function. Placed before Director, Maternal and 
Children Health Bureau (RM), as follows: (1) Collects and analyzes 
information regarding the special problems of rural health care 
providers and populations; (2) works with States, State hospital 
associations, private associations, foundations, and other 
organizations to focus attention on, and promote solutions to, problems 
related to the delivery of health services in rural communities; (3) 
provides staff support to the National Advisory Committee on Rural 
Health; (4) stimulates and coordinates interaction on rural health 
activities and programs in the Agency, Department and with other 
federal agencies; (5) supports rural health center research and keeps 
informed of research and demonstration projects funded by States and 
foundations in the field of rural health care delivery' (6) establishes 
and maintains a resource center for the collection and dissemination of 
the latest information and research findings related to the delivery of 
health services in rural areas; (7) coordinates congressional and 
private sector inquiries related to rural health; (8) advises the 
Agency, Administrator and Department on the effects of current policies 
and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, and budgetary 
changes in the programs established under titles XVIII and XIX of the 
Social Security Act on the financial viability of small rural 
hospitals, the ability of rural areas to attract and retain physicians 
and other health professionals; (9) oversees compliance by HCPA with 
the requirement that rural hospital impact analyses are developed 
whenever proposed regulations might have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small rural hospitals; (10) oversees compliance 
by HCFA with the requirement that 10 percent of its research and 
demonstration budget is used for rural projects; (11) supports 
specialized rural programs on minority health, mental health, and 
agricultural health and safety; (12) plans and manages a nationwide 
rural health grants program; and (13) plans and manages a program of 
grants to States to initiate and expand offices of rural health.
    III. Establish the Office of management and Program Support (RS), 
as follows:

Section RS-00  Mission
Section RS-10  Organization
Section RS-20  Function

    Section RS-00  Mission. The Office of Management and Program 
Support provides the highest quality management, financial, personnel 
and administrative leadership and service in support of the Health 
Resources and Services Administration.
    Section RS-10  Organization. The Office of Management and Program 
Support (RS) consists of the following:

A. Office of Management and Program Support (RS)
B. Division of Management Services (RS1)
C. Division of Financial Management (RS2)
D. Office of Human Resources and Development (RS3)
E. Division of Grants and Procurement Management (RS4)

[[Page 65064]]

F. Office of Field Coordination (RS5)
G. Office of Information Resources Management (RS6)
    A. Office of Management and Program Support (RS). Provides 
agencywide leadership, program direction and coordination to all phases 
of management; (2) provides management expertise and staff advice and 
support to the Administrator in program and policy formulation and 
execution; (3) plans, directs, and coordinates the Agency's activities 
in the areas of administrative management, financial management, human 
resources management, debt management, information resources 
management, grants and contracts management, procurement, real and 
personal property accountability and management, and administrative 
services; (4) oversees the development of annual operating objectives 
and coordinates HRSA work planning and appraisals; (5) serves as the 
Agency's focal point for field programs and activities except those 
field functions of the Division of Federal Occupational Health; (6) 
coordinates DHHS tort claims panel and associated activities; (7) 
administers the Agency's internal controls and integrity activities; 
and administers the Agency's Ethics program.
    B. Division of Management Services (RS1). Provides agencywide 
leadership and direction in the areas of management policies and 
procedures, and property management and serves as the Executive Officer 
for the Office of Management and Program Support and the Office of the 
Administrator. Specifically: (1) provides advice and guidance for the 
establishment or modification of organizational structures, functions, 
and delegations of authority: (2) conducts and coordinates the Agency's 
issuances, records, reports, forms, and mail management programs; (3) 
manages the intra- and interagency agreements process; (4) conducts 
agencywide management improvement programs; (5) conducts management and 
information studies and surveys; (6) oversees and coordinates the 
implementation of legislation, directives and policies relating to the 
Privacy Act; (7) plans, directs, and coordinates administrative 
management activities and services including personnel, financial, 
materiel management, and general administrative services for the Office 
of the Administrator and the Office of Management and Program Support; 
(8) acts for the Associate Administrator for Management and Program 
Support concerning space, parking and communications management for 
headquarters and represent him/her in matters relating to the 
management of the Parklawn Building complex; and (9) advises on and 
coordinates agencywide policies and procedures required to implement 
General Services Administration and departmental regulations governing 
materiel management, including transportation, motor vehicle, and 
utilization and disposal of property.
    C. Division of Financial Management (RS2). Provides advice and 
assistance to the Administrator and the Associate Administrator for 
Management and Program Support on financial policy planning and 
analysis; (2) maintains liaison with the Office of the Secretary on all 
activities relating to the Agency's financial, fiscal and audit 
responsibilities; (3) develops the long-range program and financial 
plan for the Agency collaboration with the Office of Planning, 
Evaluation and Legislation and other administrative components; (4) 
develops policies and instructions for budget preparation and 
presentation; (5) prepares budget submissions and participates in 
budget hearings; (6) allocates resources, including dollars and 
positions; (7) manages a system of budgetary fund and full-time 
equivalent personnel controls; and (8) maintains Agency oversight of 
fiscal and auditing services provided to HRSA by the Program Support 
Center.
    D. Office of Human Resources and Development (RS3). Plans, conducts 
and evaluates the Agency's human resource studies, programs, policies 
and reports; (2) provides advice and assistance to management officials 
on individual actions arising from headquarters and field components; 
(3) administers the Agency's training functions; (4) acts as the focal 
point for the Agency's labor relations activities; (5) develops and 
provides guidelines and regulation for the Agency's personnel programs; 
(6) administers the Agency's merit and performance awards programs; (7) 
plans, directs and administers the appointing and processing of civil 
service employees; (8) plans and conducts position management surveys; 
(9) operates and oversees the Agency's merit promotion program; (10) 
manages and coordinates the Agency's personnel security program; (11) 
ensures that management practices and policies related to the 
Commissioned Corps are coordinated throughout the Agency; (12) ensures 
compliance with established personnel rules and regulations governing 
HRSA; (13) and administers the Agency's Ethics program.
    E. Division of Grants and Procurement Management (RS4). Provides 
leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of policies 
and procedures for grants, contracts, and other assistance mechanisms; 
(2) exercises the sole responsibility within HRSA for the award and 
management of contracts; (3) provides advice and consultation of 
interpretation and application of the Department of Health and Human 
Services policies and procedures governing contracts and grants 
management; (4) develops and issues policy and procedural materials for 
the Agency's contracts and grants programs; (5) establishes standards 
and guides for and evaluates contracts and grants management operations 
throughout the Agency; (6) coordinates the Agency's positions and 
actions with respect to the audit of grants and contracts, and also 
coordinates responses to General Accounting Office audit reports and 
monitors the implementation of General Accounting Office 
recommendations; (7) provides professional accounting advice relative 
to the management of grants and contracts; and (8) maintains liaison 
directly or through the Office of Field Coordination with grantee and 
contractor institutions and organizations and other components of the 
Department.
    F. Office of Field Coordination (RS5). Serves as the Agency's focal 
point for Field programs and activities. Specifically: (1) oversees and 
manages HRSA activities in the field; (2) advises the Administrator on 
appropriate resource allocation for field activities; (3) at the 
direction of the Administrator, assists in the implementation and 
evaluation of HRSA programs in the field through coordination of 
activities, and assessing the effectiveness of programs to identify 
opportunities for improving policies and service delivery systems; (4) 
develops and implements activities in the field designed to improve 
customer service and relationships; (5) at the direction of the 
Administrator, develops and coordinates the field implementation of 
special program initiatives which involve multiple HRSA field 
components and/or multiple HRSA programs; (6) serves as field liaison 
to the Administrator, Bureau Directors, State and local health 
officials as well as private and professional organizations; (7) acts 
as liaison to provide administrative and financial support services to 
HRSA field components; (8) provides technical assistance to the 
Agency's Field Council; and (9) exercises line management authority as 
delegated from the Administrator to the Field Coordinators related to 
general administrative and management functions.

[[Page 65065]]

    G. Office of Information Resources Management (RS6). Provides 
leadership in the development, review and implementation of policies 
and procedures to promote improved information resources management 
capabilities and practices throughout HRSA; (2) develops and 
coordinates HRSA-wide plans and budgets for the management of 
information technology and services, including centralized data 
processing, office automation, and telecommunications; (3) develops and 
recommends policies and procedures relating to information resources 
management and support services; (4) identifies and coordinates HRSA-
wide information needs and develops or coordinates with others the 
development of creative answers to these needs; (5) plans, manages, 
administers and coordinates the HRSA-wide microcomputer network 
including all required linkages to other networks inside and outside 
HRSA including mainframe systems; (6) provides information support to 
the Office of the Administrator; (7) designs, develops, catalogues and 
manages data bases, information resources, including those data bases 
developed within the HRSA Bureaus, and the acquisition and use of 
external bases and information resources that support HRSA needs; (8) 
manages and coordinates state-of-the-art expertise for information 
science and technology; (9) provides consultation, technical advice and 
assistance and coordinates training in the use of ADP resources; (10) 
develops and coordinates the implementation of information security 
programs; (11) maintains liaison and coordinates information resources 
management with the HRSA Bureaus; (12) maintains liaison with HHS, PHS, 
other Federal agencies, States and professional organizations and 
associations concerning health information interests allied to the HRSA 
mission; and (13) reviews all HRSA requests for DP resources, providing 
ADP clearance for all appropriately justified requests.
    Section R-30  Delegations of Authority. All delegations and 
redelegations of authority which were in effect immediately prior to 
the effective date hereof have been continued in effect in them or 
their successors pending further redelegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: November 14, 1996.
Ciro V. Sumaya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-31371 Filed 12-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-M