[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35378-35379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14357]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    This notice amends Part K of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as 
follows: Chapter KC, the Administration on Developmental Disabilities 
(ADD) (65 FR 18337-38), as last amended April 7, 2000. This notice 
incorporates the provisions governing election assistance for 
individuals with disabilities in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 
2002, Pub. L. 107-252, 116 Stat 1666 (2002). The authority to 
administer HAVA was delegated to the Assistant Secretary, ACF by the 
Secretary on February 9, 2004, and subsequently redelegated to the 
Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities by the 
Assistant Secretary, ACF on April 2, 2004. In addition, the notice 
establishes the Office of Programs and the Office of Operations, 
eliminates the Deputy Commissioner position, and moves the 
Administration and Planning Staff and their functions to the newly 
established Office of Operations.
    This Chapter is amended as follows:

1. Chapter KC, Administration on Developmental Disabilities

    A. Delete KC.00 Mission in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KC.00 Mission. The Administration on Developmental Disabilities 
advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families, on matters relating to individuals with developmental 
disabilities and their families. ADD serves as the focal point in the 
Department to support and encourage the provision of quality services 
to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. ADD 
assists states, through the design and implementation of a 
comprehensive and continuing state plan, in increasing the 
independence, productivity and community inclusion of individuals with 
developmental disabilities. These state plans make optimal use of 
existing federal and state resources for the provision of services and 
supports to these individuals and their families to achieve these 
outcomes. ADD works with the states to ensure that the rights of all 
individuals with developmental disabilities are protected.
    ADD administers two formula grant programs, the State Developmental 
Disabilities Councils and the Protection and Advocacy Systems, and two 
discretionary grant programs, University Affiliated Programs and 
Projects of National Significance, including Family Support. These 
programs support the provision of services to individuals with 
developmental disabilities and their families. In concert with other 
components of ACF as well as other public, private, and voluntary 
sector partners, ADD develops and implements research, demonstration 
and evaluation strategies for discretionary funding of activities 
designed to improve and enrich the lives of individuals with 
developmental disabilities. In addition, ADD serves as a resource in 
the development of policies and programs to reduce or eliminate 
barriers experienced by individuals with developmental disabilities 
through the identification of promising practices and dissemination of 
information. ADD supports and encourages programs or services, which 
prevent developmental disabilities and manages initiatives involving 
the private and voluntary sectors that benefit individuals with 
developmental and other disabilities and their families.
    ADD is responsible for administering three grant programs under the 
voter accessibility provisions of HAVA. Two are formula grants, one to 
states and local governments and one to protection and advocacy 
systems, and the other is a discretionary grant for training and 
technical assistance.
    B. Delete KC.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:
    KC.10 Organization. The Administration on Developmental 
Disabilities is headed by a Commissioner who reports directly to the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The Administration on 
Developmental Disabilities consists of:
     Office of the Commissioner (KCA).
     Office of Programs (KCB).
     Office of Operations (KCC).
    C. Delete KC.20 Functions, paragraph A in its entirety and replace 
with the following:
    KC.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Commissioner (OC) serves as 
the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families, the Secretary, and other elements of the Department for 
individuals with developmental disabilities. The Office provides 
executive direction and management strategy to ADD's components and 
establishes goals and objectives for ADD programs.
    In coordination with the ACF Office of Public Affairs, the Office 
of the Commissioner develops a strategy for increasing public awareness 
of the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and 
programs designed to address them.
    D. Delete KC 20 Functions, paragraph B in its entirety and replace 
with the following:
    B. Office of Programs is responsible for the coordination, 
management, and evaluation of the State Developmental Disabilities 
Councils Program and the Protection and Advocacy Grants Program, 
including the development of procedures and performance standards that 
ensure compliance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and 
Bill of Rights (DD) Act and improve the outcomes of Developmental 
Disabilities Councils and Protection and Advocacy Systems in increasing 
the independence, productivity and community inclusion of persons with 
developmental disabilities.
    The Office administers two formula grants under HAVA that improves 
accessibility to individuals with disabilities, including the blind and 
visually impaired, to polling places, including the path of travel, 
entrances, exits and voting facilities. The Office also administers a 
training and technical assistance grant under HAVA that supports 
training, demonstration, and evaluation of the use of new voting 
systems and technologies by individuals with disabilities.
    The Office conducts routine and special analyses of state plans 
under the Basic State Grants Program, including an examination of 
priority area activities, to assure consistent application of ADD 
program goals and objectives. The Office conducts reviews of programs 
to ensure compliance with the DD Act to improve program outcomes; and 
identify and disseminate information regarding excellence in advancing 
the independence, productivity and community inclusion of people with 
developmental disabilities.
    The Office initiates, executes, and supports the development of 
interagency, intergovernmental, and public-private sector agreements, 
committees, task forces, commissions, or joint funding efforts as 
appropriate.
    The Office provides program and administrative guidance to regional 
offices on matters related to the implementation of the DD Act; and

[[Page 35379]]

ensures timely and effective communication with the regional offices 
regarding program compliance, policy clarification, and the approval of 
required state plans and reports.
    E. Delete KC 20 Functions, paragraph C in its entirety and replace 
with the following:
    C. Office of Operations plans, coordinates and controls ADD policy, 
planning, and management activities which include the development of 
legislative proposals, regulations and policy issuances for ADD. The 
Office manages the formulation and execution of the program and 
operating budgets; provides administrative, personnel and information 
systems support services; serves as the ADD Executive Secretariat 
controlling the flow of correspondence; and coordinates with 
appropriate ACF components in implementing administrative requirements 
and procedures. The Office also coordinates interagency collaboration, 
program outreach, and convener functions.
    The Office manages the discretionary grants and contracts mandated 
by the DD Act, and provide program development services. The Office 
originates cross-cutting research, demonstration and evaluation 
initiatives with other components of ADD, ACF, HHS, and other 
government agencies; and manages discretionary grants and contracts and 
assists in monitoring and evaluating discretionary grants at the 
national level.
    The Office plans for and implements experimental program services 
based on advice from state and local organizations on program needs. 
The Office formulates and prepares annual demonstration and evaluation 
plans, coordinates and administers the University Affiliated Programs 
(UAP's) activities, and develops quality assurance criteria for the UAP 
Program.
    The Office develops and initiates guidelines, policy issuances and 
actions with team participation by other components of ADD, ACF, HHS, 
and other government agencies to fulfill the mission and goals of the 
DD Act. The Office ensures the dissemination of project results and 
information produced by ADD grantees.
    The Office coordinates national program trends with other ACF 
programs and HHS agencies; and studies, reviews and analyzes other 
federal programs providing services applicable to persons with 
developmental disabilities for the purpose of integrating and 
coordinating program efforts.

    Dated: June 16, 2004.
Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-14357 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P