[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44331-44333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14700]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Reorganization of the Office of Communications

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: CDC has modified its structure. This notice announces the 
reorganization of the Office of Communications (OC). OC has established 
the Office of Emergency Risk Communications by realigning the Emergency 
Risk Communications Branch formerly of the Center for Preparedness and 
Response, Division of Emergency Operations. Additionally, OC retitled 
and updated mission and functional statements updates to some 
organizational entities.

DATES: This reorganization was approved by the Director of CDC on June 
28, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: D'Artonya Graham, Office of the Chief 
Operating Officer, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS TW-2, Atlanta, GA 30329; 
Telephone 770-488-4401; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 88 FR 9290-9291, dated 
February 13, 2023) is amended to reflect the reorganization of the 
Office of Communications, Immediate Office of the Director, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention. Specifically, the changes are as 
follows:
    I. Under Part C, Section C-B, Organization and Functions, insert 
the following:
    Office of Emergency Risk Communications (CAU17). (1) prepares for 
and coordinates CDC's communication response to public Incident 
Management System (IMS)

[[Page 44332]]

health threats and emergencies, serving as the agency's primary 
communication liaison with Federal (including through Emergency Support 
Function #15, External Affairs), state, tribal, local, and territorial, 
and international partners; (2) identifies, develops, coordinates, and 
monitors strategies for translation and delivery of CDC's emergency 
risk communication messages and information to specific audiences for 
maximum health impact; (3) coordinates and integrates emergency and 
risk communication activities within CDC to respond to public health 
emergencies; (4) co-leads the Joint Information Center (JIC) within an 
IMS during CDC emergency responses; (5) develops emergency risk 
communication recommended practices and curriculum, and supports 
emergency risk communication capacity building through technical 
assistance and training; (6) ensures that CDC's emergency risk 
communication messages are available, timely, accessible, 
understandable, culturally appropriate, and actionable; (7) develops 
and manages channels and partner engagement mechanisms to distribute 
emergency risk communication messages before, during, and after public 
health emergencies; (8) creates and manages systems, procedures, 
processes, and platforms (including CDC's Emergency Preparedness and 
Response internet site) for CDC's emergency communication activities; 
(9) manages and implements protocols to clear public health emergency 
information; (10) conducts research, monitoring, and evaluation to 
assess awareness, knowledge, attitudes, reactions, and behaviors 
related to urgent health threats and refine preparedness, readiness, 
and emergency risk communication strategies and tactics; and (11) 
supports the development, maintenance, and implementation of policies 
related to public health emergency risk communication activities.
    II. Under Part C, Section C-B, Organization and Functions, retitle 
the following organizational units:

 Office of External Engagement (CAU15) to the Office the CDC 
Museum (CAU15)

    III. Under Part C, Section C-B, Organization and Functions, delete 
the mission or functional statements for and replace with the 
following:
    Office of Communications (CAU). The mission of the Office of the 
Communications (OC) is to enhance CDC's communication impact, manage 
the high visibility of the agency and its senior leaders, and guide 
public health messaging through support to programs. The office: (1) 
provides leadership, direction, support, and assistance to CDC's 
Centers, Institute and Offices (CIOs) to implement communication 
strategies; (2) promotes clear, accessible, and inclusive 
communication; (3) conducts and promotes health communication science 
practices to address agency priorities; (4) oversees and manages CDC 
interactions with news media; (5) develops strategy and oversees 
communication response for crisis and agency priorities; (6) 
strategically protects and advances CDC's reputation, credibility and 
interests; (7) coordinates CDC partnerships to advance communication-
related relationships; (8) develops, guides, and implements internal 
and external public affairs strategies and activities; (9) provides 
leadership on all aspects of digital communications; (10) provides 
leadership for emergency and risk communications and CDC's 
communication response to public IMS health threats and emergencies; 
and (11) supports or provides communication services, including but not 
limited to broadcast, multimedia, public information, graphics and 
design elements, translation, printing, and photography.
    Office of the Director (CAU1). (1) manages, directs, and evaluates 
activities of the OC; (2) makes sure CDC communication activities 
comply with HHS-established policies; (3) communicates the value and 
benefits of CDC programs; (4) leads strategic communication activities 
addressing agency-wide priorities; (5) provides strategic communication 
support for CDC's emergency responses and JIC; (6) provides reputation-
management expertise and counsel; (7) provides leadership and guidance 
to communicate decisions made by CDC's leadership in an efficient and 
clear manner; (8) coordinates with CIOs on communication activities; 
(9) serves as the central point of contact for Office of the Director 
executive communication, including enterprise communication, speaking 
engagements, announcements, and speeches; (10) provides communication 
leadership on equity, healthy equity, diversity, inclusion, and 
accessibility initiatives; (11) provides leadership and guidance to 
manage and operate OC's programs, including the areas of fiscal 
management, human capital, travel, and other administrative services; 
(12) develops and tracks annual budget and spend plan to fulfill CDC's 
communication priorities; (13) serves as OC's primary point of contact 
with CDC's Office of Financial Resources on contracts and budget 
matters; (14) ensures communication products authored by CDC staff 
members or published by CDC are released for public use in a timely 
manner, are of the highest quality, and are scientifically sound, 
inclusive, and understandable; (15) provides leadership and strategic 
direction for emergency and risk communication activities; and (16) 
prepares for and coordinates CDC's communication response to IMS health 
threats and emergencies, serving as the agency's primary communication 
liaison with Federal state, tribal, local, and territorial, and 
international partners.
    Office of the CDC Museum (CAU15). (1) manages CDC's scientific 
museum and learning center, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum; and (2) 
implements strategies to educate visitors about the value of public 
health through museum exhibitions, CDC's historical collection, student 
programs, tours, and other engagement strategies.
    Division of Communication Sciences and Services (CAUE). (1) 
promotes the scientific practice of health communication and 
disseminates evidence-based knowledge to practitioners of health 
communication, marketing, and media; (2) provides agency-wide support 
for communication services including photography, translation, 
printing, conference materials, and communication consultation/analysis 
leadership and support; (3) guides CIOs on applying measures of 
effectiveness for public health communication efforts; and (4) leads 
CDC's health literacy improvement work and Plain Writing Act 
implementation.
    Communication Support and Services Branch (CAUEC). (1) provides 
communication consultation and support services (e.g., photography, 
multi-lingual translation, writing, and editing); (2) manages multi-
year, multi-vendor CDC-wide communication contracts for CIOs; (3) 
oversees agency-wide print management program; and (4) coordinates the 
materials for use at public health conferences.
    IV. Under Part C, Section C-B, Organization and Functions, the 
following organizational unit is deleted in its entirety:

 Emergency and Risk Communications Branch (CBCDB) within the 
Division of Emergency Operations (CBCD), Center for Preparedness and 
Response (CBC)

[[Page 44333]]

Delegations of Authority

    All delegations and redelegations of authority made to officials 
and employees of affected organizational components will continue in 
them or their successors pending further redelegation, provided they 
are consistent with this reorganization.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101)

Robin D. Bailey, Jr.,
Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-14700 Filed 7-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P