[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44374-44377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14733]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Replacement of 2015 Statement of Organization, Functions, and 
Delegations of Authority; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public 
Affairs

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides an updated Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority for HHS' Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, replacing the statement as last 
amended in 2015. The statement is republished in full.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chapter AP continues to include three 
sections: AP.11 Mission, AP.10 Organization, and AP.20 Functions. 
ASPA's organizational structure formerly included six offices (A 
through F), three of which included suboffices, and now includes four 
offices (A through D), three of which include suboffices. Specifically, 
the following amendments were made, in addition to minor wording 
changes:
     A new office, titled ``The Office of the Deputy Agency 
Chief FOIA Officer/Privacy Act Implementation Officer,'' has been 
established at paragraph B in sections AP.10 and AP.20, with the FOIA/
Privacy Act Division as its sole division.
     The Office of the Executive Officer/Deputy Chief FOIA 
Officer, which was formerly listed last (i.e., at the end of section 
AP.10 Organization, and at paragraph F in section AP.20 Functions) and 
formerly included the FOIA/Privacy Act Division as one of its three 
divisions, is now retitled ``The Office of the Executive Officer'' and 
located at paragraph C in sections AP.10 and AP.20, and now includes a 
new division, i.e., the Enterprise Data Analytics Division, instead of 
the FOIA/Privacy Act Division.
     The Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
which was formerly listed second in section AP.10 and at paragraph B in 
section AP.20, and formerly included the Strategic

[[Page 44375]]

Planning Division and the Speechwriting Division, is now located at 
paragraph D of sections AP.10 and AP.20 and includes these five 
suboffices: The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public 
Health, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Care, 
the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services, the 
Broadcast Communications Division, and the Digital Communications 
Division.
     The previous organizational structure for The Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, headed by the Assistant 
Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) will be replaced with the new the 
organizational structure listed within this notice.
     The departmental codes used to refer to [each 
organization] have been changed from the previous version to fit the 
current office structure and names.
    Delete Chapter AP in its entirety and replace with the following:

Section AP.00 Mission

    The ASPA serves as the Secretary's principal counsel on public 
affairs, leading efforts across the Department to promote transparency, 
accountability and access to critical public health and human services 
information to the American people. The Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Public Affairs conducts national public affairs programs, 
provides centralized leadership and guidance for public affairs 
activities within HHS' Staff and Operating Divisions and regional 
offices, manages the Department's digital communications and 
administers the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. The Division 
leads the planning, development and implementation of emergency 
incident communications strategies and activities for the Department. 
The ASPA reports directly to the HHS Secretary.

Section AP.10 Organization

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, headed by 
the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) who reports to the 
Secretary, supports public affairs efforts for three primary issue 
areas: Public Health, Human Services, and Health Care. ASPA consists of 
the following organizations:
    A. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs/Agency 
Chief FOIA Officer (AP). The Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Public Affairs (APA)--Provides executive leadership, policy direction, 
and management strategy for the Department's public affairs programs 
and activities. Counsels and acts for the Secretary and the Department 
in carrying out responsibilities under statutes, Presidential 
directives, and Secretarial orders for informing the general public, 
specialized audiences, HHS employees, and other Federal employees about 
the programs, policies, and services of the Department. Establishes and 
enforces policies and practices which produce an accurate, clear, 
efficient, consistent flow of information to the general public and 
other audiences about Departmental programs and activities, and 
management oversight of the Strategic Planning Division and national 
public education communications. Provides advice, counsel and 
information to the Secretary and other HHS policymakers to ensure that 
public affairs impact is considered in the establishment of 
Departmental policies or the conduct of its activities. Serves as the 
principal point of contact with senior White House officials regarding 
communications and press issues. Exercises professional leadership and 
provides functional management of public affairs activities throughout 
the Department to ensure that Secretarial priorities are followed, high 
quality standards are met, and cost-effective, non-duplicative 
communications products are developed which accurately and effectively 
inform its audiences. Serves as Secretarial surrogate throughout the 
public and private sector to both represent the views of the 
Administration and the Secretary, and to inform and educate various 
audiences. Ensures coordination among public affairs components. 
Manages public affairs issues and special activities that cut across 
Operating Division lines.
    Serves as the HHS Agency Chief FOIA Officer (ACFO), pursuant to 
Executive Order 13392 (/executive-order/13392) and the Freedom of 
Information Act, as amended by Public Law 110-175 (https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/110/public/175), 121 Stat. 2524, 5 U.S.C. 
552(k) (https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/552). In this capacity, 
the ASPA/ACFO is responsible for administering information access and 
privacy protection laws and HHS regulations implementing these laws to 
ensure Department wide consistency in information disclosure, 
confidentiality policies, practices and procedures. Such laws include 
the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act, as well as the open 
meetings provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the 
Government in the Sunshine Act and the disclosure provisions of the 
Ethics in Government Act.
    Provides Departmental, strategic, long-term vision and strong 
leadership on public health, health care, and human services 
initiatives. Collaborates with and has the authority to work across HHS 
OpDiv/StaffDivs and White House Press Offices. Leads implementation of 
strategic plans and coordinates earned, digital, and specialty media 
staff across the Department to boost impact, ensuring the right message 
is delivered to the right audience through the right channel. Advises 
the Secretary and Senior Staff on tactics, timing and level of 
investment in accordance with the Department's strategic priorities.
    Provides proactive consultation and advice to HHS Operating 
Divisions and Staff Divisions (OpDiv/StaffDiv), including regional 
staff, regarding the dissemination of information on programs, 
policies, and initiatives; while ensuring the wide dissemination of 
accurate materials to the American public. Participates with the 
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs the Principal Deputy Assistant 
Secretary and other ASPA staff in discussions with staff across the 
Department on cross-cutting issues regarding overall policies, 
planning, issues, concerns and activities and related health care 
programs. Works with OpDiv/StaffDivs to develop a long-term outreach 
strategy, coordinate in-house communications efforts, and ensure 
consistency with plain writing directives. Promotes full and open 
participation in the communications process and develops reports and 
recommendations, ensuring full review and vetting of drafts by 
appropriate staff between and among ASPA's customers and stakeholders 
at all levels. Researches, understands, and translates for a lay 
audience laws, policies, regulations and precedents applicable to 
public health, health care, and human services.
    Oversees the document clearance process and the prioritization of 
rollouts while considering internal and external feedback. Coordinates 
and/or prepares briefings, memos, policy calendars and other 
information material for use by the Secretary, HHS, at Secretarial and 
senior staff briefings, the White House, and for congressional and 
other briefings.
    B. The Office of the Deputy Agency Chief FOIA Officer/Privacy Act 
Implementation Officer (APC). Deputy Agency Chief FOIA Officer/Privacy 
Act Implementation Officer (APC)--serves as the designated Deputy 
Agency Chief Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer (DACFO) and 
Privacy Act Implementation Officer (PA) and is delegated authority to 
execute the provisions of E.O. 13392, Improving Agency Disclosure of 
Information, 70 FR 75373 (Dec. 14, 2005), and the FOIA

[[Page 44376]]

statute at 5 U.S.C. 552(k) and the provisions of the Privacy Act 
statute (5 U.S.C. 552a), as follows: Monitoring FOIA implementation 
throughout the department and keeping the Secretary and the Office of 
the General Counsel (OGC), HHS, and the U.S. Attorney General 
appropriately informed of HHS' performance in implementing FOIA; 
recommending to the Secretary adjustments to departmental practices, 
policies, personnel, and funding necessary to improve HHS 
implementation of FOIA; facilitating public understanding of the 
purposes of the statutory FOIA exemptions; establishing Departmental 
FOIA policies and providing training and technical assistance to the 
department's Operating Divisions (OpDivs); concurring in the delegation 
by an authorized HHS OpDiv FOIA Officer of the officer's authority to 
deny records or determine fees; serving as the review authority for 
appeals from a decision to deny a request for records or a refusal to 
waive fees made by the Director, FOIA/Privacy Act Division, ASPA, as 
well as ensuring consultation with OGC and providing review and 
concurrence on all departmental appeal decisions, including those on 
fees; general responsibility for Department-wide implementation and 
administration of the Privacy Act; including authority to decide 
appeals of refusals to amend or correct Privacy Act records of the 
Office of the Secretary (OS) (note that authority to decide Privacy Act 
amendment appeals can only be re-delegated one level below the ASPA, so 
cannot be further re-delegated; see limitation in September 25, 1987 
delegation to ASPA from the Assistant Secretary for Management and 
Budget, predecessor to the Assistant Secretary for Administration); and 
serving as ASPA's designated senior level official on the HHS Data 
Integrity Board.
    C. The Office of the Executive Officer (APA). Executive Officer 
(APA)--Coordinates ASPA's day-to-day operations, overseeing management 
operations and policy, workforce plans and other human resources 
activities, and general administrative support including information 
technology requirements. Oversees the formulation and execution of 
ASPA's annual budgets and financial operating plans. Ensures that ASPA 
effectively integrates its performance metrics and budget processes, in 
order to support informed decision-making related to funding 
constraints and program requirements and outcomes.
    Supports the development and implementation of management 
strategies, business processes, and standard operating procedures that 
fully support the attainment of ASPA program goals and mission critical 
initiatives.
    C1. Business Operations Division (APA1). Business Operations 
Division (APA1)--Directs ASPA budget formulation, execution and 
financial management; incorporating a results-oriented, program 
quality, and cost effectiveness focus into assessing and managing 
ASPA's resource requirements and developing and executing integrated 
performance-based budgets. Oversees and manages ASPA contracts and 
procurements, physical property, projects, governance, and information 
technology initiatives and requirements. Coordinates travel operations 
support, reporting, and auditing.
    Serves as ASPA's liaison to the Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Financial Resources (ASFR) for budget and finance matters and the 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA) for 
facilities, property accountability, and contract implementation and 
oversight matters. Additionally serves as the ASPA point of contact for 
Departmental financial, and acquisition management initiatives and for 
budget and performance integration inquiries from OMB and Congress.
    C2. Administrative Operations Division (APA2). Administrative 
Operations Division (APA2)--Directs ASPA's human capital planning, 
human resources (HR) performance management, and other departmental HR 
policy and program requirements. Serves as ASPA's internal consultant 
and source of expert technical assistance on organizational development 
and human capital management (e.g., staffing and workforce analysis, 
transition and succession planning, awards and special honors 
programs), and as liaison to the Office of the Secretary (OS) Office of 
Human Resources (OHR) on sensitive personnel issues (e.g., EEO, labor 
and management relations, performance and conduct-based actions). 
Coordinates with OHR concerning all ASPA recruitment and personnel 
actions and manages professional staff development. Administers ASPA's 
Ethics Program and serves as liaison regarding personnel security 
initiatives and requirements.
    C3. Data Analytics Division (APA3). Data Analytics Division 
(APA3)--Responsible for providing enterprise data analytics support to 
portions of the Department and producing a variety of custom analyses 
and reports, including, but not limited to, analytics implementation 
audits, top-task analyses, trend analyses, key performance indicators 
business analytics, and regression analyses with predictive expansion 
for ASPA and OpDiv/StaffDivs. In addition, the Data Analytics Division 
analyzes operational data, web content, engagement, and social media 
data, as well as data sources from external offices made available on a 
per project basis.
    D. The Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (APB). 
The Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public 
Affairs (APB)--Responsible for developing effective strategies to 
publicize Departmental policies, goals and accomplishments, activities 
related to the Department's communications services, public affairs 
policy analysis, and national public education communications, and 
direction and oversight to the ASPA Public Health Portfolio, ASPA 
Health Care Portfolio, ASPA Human Services Portfolio, Online 
Communications, Speechwriting Division, Broadcast Communications 
Division (BCD), and Digital Communications Division (DCD). Provides 
advice and assistance on all public affairs matters, in consultation 
with the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; coordinates with 
ASPA's Public Health, Health Care, and Human Services Portfolios in 
providing prompt response to media and public inquiries, and in helping 
the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs generate a strategic focus 
for stories and other information products that the Department develops 
and wishes to highlight. Manages or coordinates the conduct of high 
priority Departmental media campaigns and information programs. Acts as 
the internal and external liaison, e.g., HHS OpDiv/StaffDivs programs 
and public affairs offices, private sector organizations, other Federal 
agencies, including OMB and the Office of Public Liaison at the White 
House. Initiates, designs and effects outreach programs for all 
organizations, associations and individuals concerned with the broad 
range of policies, programs and issues of the Department. Performs 
special assignments which involve and cut across Department programs 
and activities to achieve broadly defined public affairs management and 
program objectives. Interacts with internal and external organizations, 
groups and individuals to secure and provide information concerning 
matters affecting HHS policy, interests, and initiatives. Represents 
the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in conveying official 
viewpoints and policy considerations of the Department and the 
Administration. Serves as the principal resource with the Department

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for reviewing and editing written materials reflecting the views of the 
Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Chief of Staff. Prepares speeches, 
statements, articles, and related material for the Secretary, Deputy 
Secretary, and Chief of Staff and other top Departmental officials. 
Researches and prepares Op Ed pieces, features, articles, and stories 
for the media.
    D1. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Health 
(APB1). The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Health 
(APB1)--The Public Health portfolio works with the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
Registry, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes for 
Health, Office of Global Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Assistant Secretary for 
Planning and Evaluation/Public Health issues and offices of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health and the Surgeon General on initiatives 
and strategies to promote public health, improve health outcomes and 
national public education communications, prevent disease and outbreak, 
and accelerate scientific discovery.
    D2. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Care 
(APB2). The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Care 
(APB2)--The Healthcare portfolio works to advance a healthcare system 
that delivers high-quality, affordable care to all Americans. The team 
works with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Office of 
the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Health 
Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services, and Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation/Health 
Care issues to improve access, quality, safety, efficiency and 
effectiveness of the nation's healthcare and national public education 
communications.
    D3. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services 
(APB3). The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services 
(APB3)-- The Human Services portfolio helps improve and promote 
national public education communications and Americans of all ages and 
backgrounds live full, productive lives: kids getting a ``Head Start'' 
through early childhood education, families transitioning out of 
poverty to economic independence, teens and adults recovering from 
mental illness and addiction, and seniors participating in communities 
that value their contributions. These and other human service programs 
are carried out by the Administration for Children and Families, 
Administration for Community Living, Indian Health Service, Office for 
Civil Rights, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Center for 
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer and Assistant Secretary for Planning and 
Evaluation/Human Services issues.
    D4. Broadcast Communications Division (APB4). Broadcast 
Communications Division--BCD (APB4)--Collaborates with subject matter 
experts and key stakeholders to create useful and cost effective video 
products that support Departmental goals. Provides a wide range of 
video production, A/V, live streaming, and on-demand services. Operates 
the HHS studio and coordinates activities with other HHS studios as 
required. Under the direction of the ASPA, supports key initiatives for 
the Secretary and all HHS Staff and Operating Divisions by developing 
and implementing media campaigns and special projects. Acts as liaison 
to broadcast organizations. Supports A/V services in the Studio, 
Humphrey Auditorium, Great Hall, and any location that require 
services.
    D5. Digital Communications Division (APB5). Digital Communications 
Division--DCD (APB5)--Leads the development and review of HHS Web 
content, social media, and supporting technologies. Recommends and 
implements digital (including Web) information policy, standards, 
guidance, and tools for the Department. Assesses the content and 
usability of all proposed Department-wide and Office of the Secretary 
(OS)-level websites to ensure they are consistent with Departmental 
policies and goals. Manages the daily operations of the main HHS/OS 
public website (HHS.gov) and associated social media; internal 
communications, the Department's priority websites and several cross-
federal topic websites, such as FoodSafety.gov, StopBullying.gov, 
betobaccofree.hhs.gov Secretary-level web pages; and the HHS intranet. 
Runs the Department's user experience (UE) program, responsible for 
Section 508 (accessibility) compliance across all Departmental digital 
communications platforms, including Web, and national public education 
communications.

Cheryl R. Campbell,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-14733 Filed 7-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-25-P