[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63555-63558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26615]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of reorganization.

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SUMMARY: Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has 
reorganized. The reorganization adds

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the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External 
Affairs, and the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early 
Childhood Development positions to the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary. It also renames the Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early 
Childhood Development position to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Early Childhood Development. It eliminates the Office of the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs. The reorganization 
removes the Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and 
Response from within the Office of the Assistant Secretary and creates 
the Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response as a 
direct report to the Assistant Secretary. It renames the Office of 
Public Affairs to the Office of Communications. Lastly, it changes the 
reporting relationship of the Office of Regional Operations and the 
Office of Communications from the Assistant Secretary to a direct 
report to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs. 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 K, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), as last 
amended in 77 FR 23250--23260, April 18, 2012; Chapter KA, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary, as last amended in 80 FR 33269--33270, June 
11, 2015; Chapter KJ, Office of Regional Operations, as last amended in 
71 FR 59117-59123, October 6, 2006; and Chapter KN, Office of Public 
Affairs, as last amended in 77 FR 61002-61003, October 5, 2012.
    I. Under Chapter K, Administration for Children and Families, 
delete K.00 Mission in its entirety and replace with the following:

    K.00 Mission. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 
provides national leadership and direction to plan, manage, and 
coordinate the nationwide administration of comprehensive and 
supportive programs for vulnerable children and families. The 
Administration oversees and finances a broad range of programs for 
children and families, including Native Americans, persons with 
developmental disabilities, refugees, and legalized aliens, to help 
them develop and grow toward a more independent, self-reliant life. 
These programs, carried out by state, county, city, and tribal 
governments, and public and private local agencies, are designed to 
promote stability, economic security, responsibility, and self-
sufficiency.
    The Administration coordinates development and implementation of 
family-centered strategies, policies, and linkages among its 
programs, and with other federal and state programs serving children 
and families. The Administration's programs assist families in 
financial crisis, emphasizing short-term financial assistance, and 
education, training and employment for the long term. Its programs 
for children and youth focus on those children and youth with 
special problems, including children of low-income families, abused 
and neglected children, those in institutions or requiring adoption 
or foster family services, runaway youth, children with 
disabilities, migrant children, and Native American children. The 
Administration promotes the development of comprehensive and 
integrated community and home-based modes of service delivery where 
possible. The Administration provides national leadership to develop 
and coordinate public and private programs and serves as a focal 
point for states in the provision of financial assistance and 
intervention programs that promote and support permanence for 
children and family stability. The Administration advises the 
Secretary on issues pertaining to children and families, including 
Native Americans, refugees, and legalized aliens.

    II. Under Chapter K, Administration for Children and Families, 
delete K.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the 
following:

    K.10 Organization. The Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF) is a principal operating division of the Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS). The Administration is headed by the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, who reports directly 
to the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary also serves as the 
Director of Child Support Enforcement. In addition to the Assistant 
Secretary, the Administration consists of the Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Administration, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Policy, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood 
Development, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs, 
and Staff and Program Offices. ACF is organized as follows:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families (KA)
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (KB)
Administration for Native Americans (KE)
Office of Child Support Enforcement (KF)
Office of Community Services (KG)
Office of Family Assistance (KH)
Office of Regional Operations (KJ)
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (KM)
Office of Communications (KN)
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration (KP)
Office of Refugee Resettlement (KR)
Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget (KT)
Office of Head Start (KU)
Office of Child Care (KV)
Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (KW)

    III. Under Chapter KA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families, delete KA.20 Functions, Paragraph A in its 
entirety and replace with the following:

    KA.20 Functions. A. Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families is responsible to the Secretary for carrying 
out ACF's mission and provides executive supervision of the major 
components of ACF. These responsibilities include providing 
executive leadership and direction to plan and coordinate ACF 
program activities to ensure their effectiveness; approving 
instructions, policies, publications, and grant awards issued by 
ACF; and representing ACF in relationships with governmental and 
non-governmental organizations. The Principal Deputy Assistant 
Secretary serves as an alter ego to the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families on program matters and acts in the absence of 
the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The Chief of 
Staff advises the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families and 
provides executive leadership and direction to the operations of 
ACF. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs provides 
executive leadership and direction to the Offices of Regional 
Operations and Communications. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Early Childhood Development serves as a key liaison and 
representative to the Department for early childhood development on 
behalf of the Assistant Secretary, ACF, and to other agencies across 
the government on behalf of the Department. The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Policy has responsibility for cross-program 
coordination of ACF initiatives, including efforts to promote 
interoperability and program integration.

    IV. Under Chapter KJ, Office of Regional Operations, delete KJ in 
its entirety and replace with the following:

    KJ.00 Mission. The Office of Regional Operations (ORO) advises 
the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families through the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for External Affairs on all strategic and 
operational activities related to implementation of agency goals and 
priorities at the regional level. ORO oversees the performance of 
the Offices of the Regional Administrators (ORA) on coordination of 
cross-cutting and special emphasis programs and initiatives, 
emergency preparedness, tribal government relations, state, and 
local ACF-related affairs, and administrative functions in Regions 
I-X, Offices of the Regional Administrators (ORA).
    The ORAs are located in the ten HHS Regional Offices: Region I 
(Boston), Region II (New York), Region III (Philadelphia), Region IV 
(Atlanta), Region V (Chicago), Region VI (Dallas), Region VII 
(Kansas City), Region VIII (Denver), Region IX (San Francisco), and 
Region X (Seattle). Each ORA, through the Director, ORO, and in 
coordination with ACF Program Directors, represents ACF to states, 
counties, cities, or towns, territories, and tribal governments, 
grantees, and public and private local organizations. The ORA 
coordinates issues that may have significant regional or national 
impact. The ORA develops plans in conjunction with the

[[Page 63557]]

Program Directors to meet ACF goals and objectives and initiatives 
and participates in regional activities to inform the public about 
ACF programs at the regional level in coordination with the ACF 
Office of Communications. The ORA contributes to the development of 
ACF national policy based on knowledge of services in the region.
    KJ.10 Organization. The Office of Regional Operations (ORO) is 
headed by a Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary through 
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs. The ORO is 
organized as follows:
Office of the Director (KJA)
Regional Operations Staff (KJB)
Office of the Regional Administrators (KJDI-X)
    KJ.20 Functions. A. Office of the Director (KJA): The Office of 
the Director (OD) provides executive leadership and assistance on 
all strategic and operational activities related to implementation 
of the agency's national goals and priorities at the regional level. 
The Director is the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
External Affairs on regional matters involving special emphasis 
programs and initiatives, emergency preparedness, tribal government 
relations, state and local ACF partnership activities, and regional 
administrative functions. The Director represents the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families within HHS and with other 
federal agencies and task forces on regional activities.
    The OD: (1) Oversees the Regional Administrators in 
administering regional activities and implementing cross-cutting 
program initiatives; (2) serves as a focal point for operational and 
long-range planning; and (3) coordinates with the ACF Central Office 
components to ensure that the Regional Administrators can help 
coordinate certain national priorities and initiatives, state and 
local partnership activities, special programs, and emergency 
preparedness and response operations.
    B. Regional Operations Staff (KJB): The Regional Operations 
Staff: (1) Develops and manages liaison processes between ACF 
Regional Offices and the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families; (2) supports the Offices of the Regional Administrators 
(ORA) of each region by implementing and overseeing the management 
systems and procedures for communication and workload that emanate 
from ACF national priorities and initiatives, special emphasis 
programs, emergency preparedness, tribal government relations, and 
state and local ACF partnership activities; (3) monitors and 
evaluates ORA operations and makes plans for the utilization of 
regional resources to accomplish approved objectives; and (4) 
manages administrative and human resources functions, and salaries 
and expenses for the ORA.
    C. Offices of the Regional Administrators (KJDI-X): Each of the 
ORAs is headed by a Regional Administrator who reports to the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for External Affairs through the Director, ORO. 
Each Office: (1) Helps support ACF's key national goals and 
priorities; (2) communicates ACF's regional interests, concerns, and 
relationships within HHS and among other federal agencies and 
focuses on state agency culture change, more effective partnerships, 
and improved customer service; (3) manages special and sensitive 
projects; (4) serves as a focal point for public affairs and 
contacts with the media, public awareness activities, information 
dissemination, and education campaigns in coordination with the ACF 
Office of Communications and in conjunction with the HHS Regional 
Director; (5) assists the ACF Regional Administrator in the 
management of cross-cutting initiatives and activities among the 
regional components; and (6) as appropriate, and in coordination 
with the ACF Central Office components, assists with activities 
relating to developmental disabilities, refugee resettlement, 
economic and community development, tribal and special initiative 
activities.
    The Regional Administrators: (1) Oversee the management of ACF 
regional staff in the ORA; (2) coordinate activities across regional 
programs; (3) ensure that goals and objectives are carried out; and 
(4) alert the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families through 
the Director, ORO, the DAS of External Affairs, and/or Central 
Office ACF Program Directors to problems and issues that may have 
significant regional or national impact.
    As requested by the Director of Regional Operations or Central 
Office ACF Program Directors, the ORA represents ACF at the regional 
level in executive communications within ACF, with the HHS Regional 
Director, other HHS Operating Divisions, other federal agencies, and 
public or private local organizations.
    Within the ORA, an administrative staff: (1) develops regional 
work plans, in coordination with Central Office Program Directors, 
related to the overall ACF strategic plans, and tracks, monitors, 
and reports on regional progress in the attainment of ACF national 
goals and objectives; (2) coordinates routine budget, 
administrative, and human resource functions as required, including 
Executive Secretariat, ACF-controlled space, computer and computer 
peripheral equipment, and health and safety for the ORA; (3) 
coordinates ACF programs during emergencies in the regions, 
including natural disasters, pandemic flu, or other disasters; (4) 
serve as ACF's focal point for Continuity of Operations Program 
planning, implementation, and coordination; (5) coordinates regional 
ACF deployments of human services assessments and action teams 
during state and/or federally declared emergencies and disasters; 
and (6) coordinates resources for regional special emphasis 
activities with the HHS Regional Director's office.

    V. Under Chapter KN, Office of Public Affairs, delete KN in its 
entirety and replace with the following:

    KN.00 Mission. The Office of Communications (OC) develops, 
directs, and coordinates public affairs and communication services 
for ACF. It provides leadership, direction and oversight in 
promoting ACF's public affairs policies, programs, and initiatives. 
OC oversees Freedom of Information Act requests, digital 
communications, and also provides printing and distribution services 
for ACF.
    KN.10 Organization. OC is headed by a Director who reports to 
the Assistant Secretary through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
External Affairs. The Office is organized as follows:
Office of the Director (KNA)
Division of News and Media (KNB)
Division of Digital Information (KNC)
Division of Freedom of Information Act (KND)
    KN.20 Functions. A. The Office of Director provides leadership 
and direction to the Office of Communications in administering its 
responsibilities. The Office provides direction and leadership in 
the areas of public relations policy and internal and external 
communications services. It serves as advisor to the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families through the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for External Affairs in the areas of public affairs; 
provides advice on strategies and approaches to be used to improve 
public understanding of and access to ACF programs and policies; and 
coordinates and serves as ACF liaison with the Assistant Secretary 
for Public Affairs. The Office serves as Regional Liaison on public 
affairs issues.
    B. Division of News and Media develops and implements public 
affairs strategies to achieve ACF program objectives in coordination 
with other ACF components. It coordinates news media relations 
strategy; responds to all media inquiries concerning ACF programs 
and related issues; develops fact sheets, news releases, feature 
articles for magazines and other publications on ACF programs and 
initiatives; and manages preparation and clearance of speeches and 
official statements on ACF programs. It coordinates regional public 
affairs policies and public affairs activities pertaining to ACF 
programs and initiatives.
    C. Division of Digital Information manages the ACF Web site, 
social media accounts, audio-visual, publications, and printing 
management systems for ACF. It manages preparation and clearance of 
all ACF audio-visual product, publications, and graphic designs, 
including planning, budget oversight, and technical support. It 
provides centralized graphics design services to ACF. It reviews 
requests for proposals for contracts and grants that involve 
publications, audio-visual materials and/or public information, and 
education activity. It manages all ACF Web site content, 508 
compliance, and other federal laws and regulations governing digital 
media.
    D. Division of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) implements 
elements of ACF's Open Government Initiative. The FOIA division 
receives requests under the FOIA statue, elicits the requested 
records from program offices, reviews the records and redacts 
accordingly, and provides responses to the requestor.

    VI. Under Chapter KW, Create the Office of Human Services Emergency 
Preparedness and Response:

    KW.00 Mission. The Office of Human Services Emergency 
Preparedness and

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Response (OHSEPR) promotes resilience of vulnerable individuals, 
children, families, and communities impacted by disasters and public 
health emergencies and provides expertise in human services 
preparedness, response, and recovery through policy, planning, 
operations, and partnerships.
    OHSEPR coordinates ACF's work in emergency preparedness, 
response, and recovery planning, policy, and operations, working in 
close partnership with ACF Program Offices and the Immediate Offices 
of the Regional Administrators. OHSEPR supports fulfillment of 
disaster human services within the integrated response and recovery 
operations of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 
OHSEPR administers the Human Services Immediate Disaster Case 
Management Program, which is the FEMA HHS alternate of the Disaster 
Case Management Program.
    KW.10 Organization. OHSEPR is headed by a Director, who reports 
to the Assistant Secretary, and consists of:
Office of the Director (KW1)
Division of Disaster Case Management (KW2)
Division of Emergency Planning, Policy and Operations (KW3)
    KW.20 Functions. A. The OD is responsible for the administrative 
oversight and strategic direction of all OHSEPR programs, projects, 
and activities. The Office of the Director implements the strategic 
vision of the Director, manages budgetary and legal matters 
affecting OHSEPR, administers human resources and program evaluation 
functions, and assures alignment of activities by all OHSEPR 
divisions with the Director's strategy and applicable laws, 
policies, doctrines, and frameworks related to the provision of HHS 
ACF disaster human services.
    The Administrative Team provides administrative and budget 
support to OHSEPR. These responsibilities include, but are not 
limited to: (1) serving as the Executive Secretariat for OHSEPR, 
including managing correspondence, correspondence systems, and 
public requests; (2) coordinating human resources activities; and 
(3) as appropriate, development of internal policies and procedures 
relating to these activities.
    B. Division of Disaster Case Management is responsible for 
administration of the Human Services Disaster Case Management 
Program to assist states, tribes, and territories in establishing 
the capacity to coordinate and provide case management services in 
the event of a presidentially declared disaster for which Individual 
Assistance is approved. This Division develops and maintains the 
capability to deploy Immediate Disaster Case Management (IDCM) teams 
upon activation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 
The Division manages contracts for IDCM staffing assets and 
infrastructure, and for electronic case record to support provision 
of IDCM services to survivors in states and tribes as tasked by 
FEMA.
    C. Division of Emergency Planning, Policy and Operations is 
responsible for administration of ACF human services preparedness, 
response, and recovery for disasters and public health emergencies, 
as well as ``steady state'' capabilities necessary to maintain 
readiness for response or recovery operations to future events. The 
Division manages deployable and non-deployable capabilities for 
operations, including ACF's Watch Desk and threat analysis, 
situational awareness reporting, deployment of requested emergency 
response and recovery staffing assets, coordination of ACF support 
for federal emergency missions, and liaison with federal interagency 
and other partners in response and recovery. This Division is 
responsible for administration of OHSEPR's activities to promote 
emergency preparedness of ACF programs, community resilience to the 
human services impacts of disasters and public health emergencies, 
and participation in HHS-wide and government-wide emergency planning 
and policymaking. The Division manages preparedness activities and 
messaging. The Division coordinates fulfillment of ACF participation 
in Departmental and federal policy workgroups related to disasters, 
tools and guidance intended to promote preparedness of ACF programs 
and community resilience for ACF served populations, and training 
and exercise programs to continually improve ACF's capacity to 
support disaster human services for affected populations.

    VII. Continuation of Policy
    Except as inconsistent with this reorganization, all statements of 
policy and interpretations with respect to organizational components 
affected by this notice within the Administration for Children and 
Families, heretofore issued and in effect on this date of this 
reorganization are continued in full force and effect.
    VIII. Delegation of Authority
    All delegations and re-delegations of authority made to officials 
and employees of affected organizational components will continue in 
them or their successors pending further re-delegations, provided they 
are consistent with this reorganization.
    IX. Funds, Personnel, and Equipment
    Transfer of organizations and functions affected by this 
reorganization shall be accompanied in each instance by direct and 
support funds, positions, personnel, records, equipment, supplies, and 
other resources.
    This reorganization will be effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: September 21, 2015.
Mark H. Greenberg,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 2015-26615 Filed 10-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4184-01-P