[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15578-15579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04430]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Communications 
and Public Engagement Workgroup (CPEW) of the Advisory Committee to the 
Director (ACD), CDC

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within 
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is seeking 
nominations for membership to the Communications and Public Engagement 
Workgroup (CPEW) of the Advisory Committee to the Director, CDC. The 
CPEW workgroup consists of approximately 15 members who are experts in 
the fields associated with communications, including public relations, 
health communication, risk communication, communication research, and 
marketing; community and partner engagement; public health science and 
practice, including implementation; and behavioral science/behavior 
change campaigns.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the CPEW workgroup must be 
received no later than March 28, 2024. Late nominations will not be 
considered for membership.

ADDRESSES: All nominations (cover letters and curriculum vitae) should 
be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line: ``Nomination 
for CDC ACD Communications and Public Engagement Workgroup.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Galatas, MPH, Senior 
Communications Specialist, Office of Communications, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road (MS H21-11), Atlanta, 
GA 30329-4027, Telephone: (404) 639-2064; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The purpose of the ACD, CDC Advisory Committee to the 
Director shall (1) make recommendations to the Director regarding ways 
to prioritize the activities of the agency in alignment with the CDC 
Strategic Plan required under section 305(c); H.R. 2617-1252; (2) 
advise on ways to achieve or improve performance metrics in relation to 
the CDC Strategic Plan, and other relevant metrics, as appropriate; (3) 
provide advice and recommendations on the development of the Strategic 
Plan, and any subsequent updates, as

[[Page 15579]]

appropriate; (4) advise on grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, 
or other transactions, as applicable; (5) provide other advice to the 
Director, as requested, to fulfill duties under sections 301 and 311; 
and (6) appoint subcommittees. The ACD, CDC consists of up to 15 non-
federal members, including the Chair, knowledgeable in areas pertinent 
to the CDC mission, such as health policy, public health, global 
health, preparedness, preventive medicine, the faith-based and 
community-based sector, and allied fields.
    Purpose: The establishment and formation of the ACD, Communications 
and Public Engagement Workgroup (CPEW) is to provide input to the 
Committee on agency-wide activities related to how CDC communicates 
directly and more effectively with the public, with a focus on reaching 
local communities with messages. Effective communication with the 
public includes, but is not limited to: (1) building relationships and 
mechanisms to communicate via trusted messengers, including but not 
limited to, clinicians, faith and community leaders, and health 
department officials at the national, state and local levels; (2) 
improving risk communication practices; (3) delivering more action-
oriented and focused communications to help people protect their health 
(e.g., effective messages and storytelling); (4) tailoring our messages 
and communications methods, as appropriate, to audiences, particularly 
for historically marginalized communities; and (5) increasing 
transparency by stepping up the pace, content and reach of our 
communications (e.g., considering impact of different communications 
channels, such as blogs, TV interviews, emerging platforms).
    The CPEW membership consists of approximately 15 members. It is co-
chaired by two current ACD, CDC Special Government Employees. The CPEW 
co-chairs will present their findings, observations, and work products 
at one or more ACD, CDC meetings for discussion, deliberation, and 
decisions (final recommendations to CDC).
    Nomination Criteria: CPEW members will serve terms ranging from six 
months to one year and be required to attend CPEW meetings 
approximately once per month (virtually or in person), and contribute 
time in between meetings for research, consultation, discussion, and 
writing assignments.
    Nominations are being sought for individuals who have the expertise 
and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of 
the committee's/workgroup's objectives. Nominees will be selected based 
on expertise in the fields of communications, including public 
relations, health communication, risk communication, communication 
research, and marketing; community and partner engagement; public 
health science and practice, including implementation; and behavioral 
science/behavior change campaigns. Federal employees will not be 
considered for membership. Selection of members is based on candidates' 
qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of the CPEW's 
objectives.
    HHS policy stipulates that membership be balanced in terms of 
points of view represented and the workgroup's function. Appointments 
shall be made without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, 
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, disability, 
and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominees must be U.S. 
citizens and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. 
Current participation on federal workgroups or prior experience serving 
on a federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate; 
however, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on 
advisory committees and multiple committee memberships. Interested 
candidates should submit the following items:
     A one-half to one-page cover letter that includes your 
understanding of, and commitment to, the time and work necessary; one 
to two sentences on your background and experience; and one to two 
sentences on the skills/perspective you would bring to the CPEW.
     At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not 
employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
(Candidates may submit letter(s) from current HHS employees if they 
wish, but at least one letter must be submitted by a person not 
employed by an HHS agency (e.g., CDC, NIH, FDA, etc.).
     Current curriculum vitae which highlights the experience 
and work history being sought relevant to the criteria set forth above, 
including complete contact information (telephone numbers, mailing 
address, email address).
    Nominations may be submitted by the candidate him or herself, or by 
the person/organization recommending the candidate.
    The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of 
the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register 
notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee 
management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Kalwant Smagh,
Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief 
Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-04430 Filed 3-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P