[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90-92]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31906]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegation of Authority

    Part C (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of the 
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority of 
the Department of Health and Human Services (45 FR 67772-76, dated 
October 14, 1980, and corrected at 45 FR 69296, October 20, 1980, as 
amended most recently at 68 FR 65935-37, dated November 24, 2003) is 
amended to reflect the reorganization of the National Center for 
Environmental Health (NCEH).
    Section C-B, Organization and Functions, is hereby amended as 
follows:
    Delete the functional statement for the Office of the Director 
(CNI) and insert the following:
    (1) Manages, directs, coordinates, and evaluates all health-related 
programs of NCEH and ATSDR; (2) provides overall leadership in health-
related activities for hazardous substances, hazardous waste sites and 
chemical releases; (3) provides overall coordination for the research 
programs and science policies of the agencies; (4) develops goals and 
objectives and provides leadership, policy formulation, scientific 
oversight, and guidance in program planning and development; (5) 
provides overall budgetary and human resource management and 
administrative support; (6) provides information, publication and 
distribution services to NCEH/ATSDR; (7) maintains liaison with other 
Federal, State, and local agencies, institutions, and organizations; 
(8) coordinates NCEH/ATSDR program activities with other CDC 
components, other Federal, State and local Government agencies, the 
private sector, and other nations; and (9) directs and coordinates 
activities in support of the Department's Equal Employment Opportunity 
program and employee development.
    Delete in its entirety the title and function statement for the 
Special Programs Group (CN11).
    Following the functional statement for the Office of the Director 
(CN1), insert the following:
    Office of Communications (CN12). (1) Provides technical assistance 
to Divisions on management issues, public affairs, and health 
communications strategies; (2) collaborates with external organizations 
and the news, public service, and entertainment and other media to 
ensure that effective findings and their implications for public health 
reach the public; (3) collaborates closely with Divisions to produce 
materials designed for use by the news media, including press releases, 
letters to the editor, public service announcements, television 
programming, video news releases, and other electronic and printed 
materials; (4) secures appropriate clearance of these materials within 
NCEH/ATSDR and CDC; (5) coordinates the development and maintenance of 
Center/Agency-wide information systems through an Internet Home Page; 
(6) develops strategies and operational systems for the proactive 
dissemination of effective findings and their implications for 
prevention partners and the public; (7) apart from the clearinghouses, 
hotlines, or other contractual mechanisms, responds to public inquiries 
and distributes information materials; (8) provides editorial, 
graphics, and publishing services for NCEH/ATSDR staff; (9) operates a 
NCEH/ATSDR Information

[[Page 91]]

Center; (10) maintains liaison with CDC public affairs and 
communications staff offices; (11) provides publications-related 
activities including editing, preparing articles and drafting news 
releases, distributing publications, and bibliographic services; and 
(12) provides public relations and publication-related activities.
    Delete the title and functional statement for the Office of 
Planning, Evaluation, and Legislation (CN13) and insert the following:
    Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation (CN13). (1) Coordinates, 
develops, recommends and implements strategic planning and tracking for 
NCEH/ATSDR; (2) develops and manages an evaluation program to ensure 
adequacy and responsiveness of NCEH/ATSDR activities; (3) participates 
in reviewing, coordinating, and preparing legislation, briefing 
documents, Congressional testimony, and other legislative matters; (4) 
maintains liaison and coordinates with other Federal agencies for 
program planning and evaluation; (5) assists in the development of 
NCEH/ATSDR budget and program initiatives; (6) provides liaison with 
staff offices and other officials of CDC; (7) monitors and prepares 
reports on health-related activities to comply with provisions of 
relevant legislation; (8) coordinates the development, review, and 
approval of Federal regulations, Federal Register announcements, 
request for OMB clearance, and related activities; (9) develops and 
strengthens strategic partnerships with key constituent groups; and 
(10) facilitates communication between NCEH/ATSDR and its partners.
    Delete the title and functional statement for the Office of Program 
Operations and Management (CN14) and insert the following:
    Office of financial and Administrative Services (CN14). (1) Plans, 
manages, directs, and conducts the administrative and financial 
management operations of NCEH/ATSDR; (2) reviews the effectiveness and 
efficiency of administration and operation of all NCEH/ATSDR programs; 
(3) develops and directs systems for (4) provides and coordinates 
services for the extramural award activities of (5) formulates and 
executes the budget; and (6) develops and directs a system for cost 
recovery.
    Delete in their entirety the title and functional statement for the 
Emergency Response Coordination Group (CN15).
    Delete in their entirety the title and function statement for the 
Information Resources Management Group (CN17).
    Delete in their entirety the title and functional statement for the 
Surveillance and Programs Branch (CN73), Division of Environmental 
Hazards and Health Effects (CN7).
    Delete in their entirety the title and functional statement for the 
Risk Assessment and Communication Section (CN745), Radiation Studies 
Branch (CN74), Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects 
(CN7).
    Delete in their entirety the title and functional statement of the 
Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CN75), Division of Environment 
Hazards and Health Effects (CN7).
    After the functional statement for the Air Pollution and 
Respiratory Health Branch (CN76), insert the following:
    Environmental Health Tracking Branch (CN78). (1) Coordinates 
development of training, capacity, and infrastructure to support and 
sustain the national environment public health tracking network; (2) 
develops and maintains quality partnerships with key stakeholders; (3) 
facilitates communication and coordination of environmental public 
health tracking activities across and within health and environmental 
agencies; (4) facilitates and conducts scientific activities for 
environmental public health tracking; (5) disseminates, communicates, 
and promotes use of environmental public health tracking information to 
diverse audiences; and (6) conducts continuous quality improvement for 
environmental public health tracking activities.
    Delete in their entirety the title and functional statement for the 
Biometry Branch (CN77), Division of Environmental Hazards and Health 
Effects (CN7).
    After the functional statement for the Division of Laboratory 
Sciences (CN8), insert the following:
    Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services (CN9). (1) 
Provides national and international leadership for the coordination, 
delivery, and evaluation of emergency and environmental health 
services, with emphasis on uniquely exposed or susceptible populations; 
(2) ensures the participation and involvement of the public and other 
stakeholders in the Division's programs, as appropriate; (3) maintains 
liaison with, and serves as a primary Federal resource for, emergency 
and environmental health service delivery to Federal, state, and local 
agencies; national, international, and private organizations; and 
academic institutions; (4) works in collaboration with other NCEH 
Divisions and CIOs throughout CDC to respond to, and where designated, 
coordinate PHS activities associated with international complex 
humanitarian emergencies, and with emergency response to technological 
and environmental disasters; (5) serves as the national focus for 
conducting cruise-line vessel sanitation inspections and maintaining 
sanitation standards including conducting diarrheal disease 
surveillance and disease outbreak investigations on vessels; (6) 
coordinates the reviews of Federal Environmental Impact Statements for 
HHS; (7) serves as the HHS and CDC focus for ensuring public health 
protection associated with chemical demilitarization processes and 
activities conducted by the Department of Defense and its contractors; 
(8) plans, develops, implements, and evaluates training programs, 
workshops, technical manuals and guidelines, and model standards to 
strengthen the technical capacity of environmental health practitioners 
in constituent agencies and organizations; (9) serves as the lead 
agency for coordinating efforts designed to achieve national program 
objectives and performance standards related to the elimination and 
prevention of childhood lead poisoning; and (10) coordinates Division 
activities with other CDC organizations and HHS agencies, as 
appropriate.
    Office of the Director (CN91). Plans, directs and manages the 
activities of the Division.
    Environmental Public Health Readiness Branch (CN92). (1) Serves as 
the HHS and CDC focus for chemical demilitarization-related activities; 
(2) conducts reviews of Department of Defense (DOD) chemical 
demilitarization plans, calling on appropriate experts within and 
outside PHS; (3) reviews air monitoring and analytical plans and 
performance for demilitarization of chemical weapons; (4) ensures that 
adequate provisions are made for public health and worker safety during 
chemical demilitarization activities; (5) coordinates with DOD agencies 
and state and local health and environmental agencies activities 
concerning chemical demilitarization plans and operations, including 
the evaluation of medical readiness; (6) performs site visits prior to, 
and during, chemical demilitarization operations; (7) reviews and 
provides relevant public health information to health professionals and 
the public, and ensures the participation and involvement of the public 
and other stakeholders, as appropriate; (8) reviews on-site emergency 
response plans for chemical demilitarization activities; (9) 
coordinates the reviews of Federal Environmental Impact Statements for 
HHS; (10) coordinates Branch activities through the Division and other 
CDC

[[Page 92]]

organizations; other Federal, state, and local government agencies; and 
other public and private organizations, as appropriate; (11) provides 
public health guidance and resources based on scientific evidence to 
state, local and international public health departments so that they 
may prepare and respond to the environmental public health impact 
caused by intentional or unintentional events; (12) develops capacity 
within the states to integrate new and existing epidemiologic and 
scientific principles into operational and programmatic expertise in 
emergency preparedness; (13) identifies and shares best practices from 
all academic and operational fields to develop appropriate technical 
assistance for state and local departments of health for all-hazards 
preparedness and response; (14) works in collaboration with other NCEH 
Divisions and CIOs throughout CDC to respond to, and, where designated, 
provide technical assistance on PHS activities associated with 
emergency response to technological and environmental disasters; (15) 
provides technical assistance, as appropriate, on health consultations 
and assistance in the medical care and testing of exposed individuals 
to private or public health care providers in cases of public health 
emergencies; (16) serves as the focal point for technical assistance 
related to the development of contingency plans, training, and 
operational liaison activities with other agencies and response teams 
engaged in emergency responses; and (17) develops, implements, and 
manages programs to enhance the emergency response readiness of CDC and 
other national, regional, state, local, and international public health 
organizations.
    Environmental Health Services Branch (CN93). (1) Develops methods 
and conducts activities to ensure the translation of new technology and 
prevention research findings into prevention and control programs and 
activities at the state and local levels; (2) develops, implements, and 
evaluates training programs and workshops, and develops model 
performance standards to strengthen professional competency among 
environmental health practitioners at the state and local levels; (3) 
develops technical guidelines and model standards for environmental 
health program areas addressed at the state and local levels; (4) 
supports state and local environmental health programs through 
information exchange, direct technical assistance, and evaluation of 
existing programs; (5) supports the professional development of 
environmental health practitioners through collaboration with 
undergraduate and graduate schools of public and environmental health, 
state and local health agencies, and others; and (6) promotes and 
assists in the determination and investigation of environmental 
antecedents and solutions to disease problems.
    International Emergency and Refugee Health Branch (CN94). (1) 
Coordinates, supervises, and monitors, as appropriate, CDC responses to 
international complex humanitarian emergencies as requested by other 
U.S. government agencies, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental 
organizations; (2) provides direct technical assistance to emergency-
affected populations in the field, focusing on rapid health and 
nutrition assessments, public health surveillance, epidemic 
investigations, communicable disease prevention and control, and 
program evaluation; (3) develops and implements operational research 
projects aimed at developing more effective public health and nutrition 
interventions in emergency-affected populations; (4) plans, implements, 
and evaluates training courses and workshops to help strengthen CDC 
technical capacity in emergency public health of CDC, as well as that 
of other U.S. government agencies, international and private voluntary 
organizations, and schools of public health; (5) develops technical 
guidelines on public health issues associated with international 
complex humanitarian emergencies; and (6) serves as a WHO collaborating 
center and provides technical liaison with other international, 
bilateral, and non-governmental relief organizations involved with 
international complex humanitarian emergencies.
    Vessel Sanitation Branch (CN95). (1) Conducts comprehensive 
sanitation inspections on vessels that have a foreign itinerary, call 
on U.S. ports, and carry 13 or more passengers; (2) ensures and 
coordinates epidemiologic investigations of diarrheal disease outbreaks 
occurring aboard vessels within the Branch's jurisdiction; (3) conducts 
ongoing surveillance of diarrheal diseases reported on vessels under 
the Branch's jurisdiction; (4) plans, implements, and evaluates 
sanitation training courses and workshops to help strengthen the 
technical capacity of shipboard management personnel; (5) reviews plans 
for vessel renovations and new vessel construction, and conducts 
construction inspections; (6) disseminates information on vessel 
sanitation inspections and other related information to the traveling 
public; and (7) provides direct technical assistance to cruise lines, 
other U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and others on the 
development and maintenance of vessel sanitation standards and 
policies.
    Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CN96). (1) Establishes goals and 
objectives for a national lead poisoning prevention program for CDC, 
with emphasis on childhood lead poisoning prevention; (2) works with 
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, and other Federal agencies to develop 
and implement an integrated national program to eliminate childhood 
lead poisoning; (3) provides consultation and assistance to Federal 
agencies, State and community health agencies, and others, in planning, 
developing, and evaluating childhood lead poisoning prevention 
programs; (4) develops, conducts, and evaluates epidemiologic research 
on childhood lead poisoning, its causes, geographic distribution, 
trends and risk factors; (5) assists State and local government 
agencies as well as the international community, by providing 
epidemiologic assistance for special studies and investigations; (6) 
develops and maintains a system for the collection and dissemination of 
information on program issues, research findings and health 
communications related to program activities; (7) develops and helps 
implement, in concert with other Federal agencies, national 
organizations, and other appropriate groups, a training agenda for 
health professionals and workers in childhood lead poisoning prevention 
activities; (8) serves as the lead agency for coordinating efforts 
designed to achieve national program objectives and performance 
standards related to the prevention of childhood lead poisoning; (9) 
coordinates Branch activities through the Division with other 
components of CDC, other Federal, State, and local government agencies; 
and other public and private organizations, as appropriate; and (10) 
provides support to the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning 
Prevention in planning meetings, staffing members, drafting policy 
statements, and developing an agenda of issues to be addressed by the 
Committee.

    Dated: December 16, 2003.
William H. Gimson,
Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC).
[FR Doc. 03-31906 Filed 12-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-18-M