83 FR 40517 - Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 158 (August 15, 2018)

Statement of Organizations, Functions, and Delegations of Authority The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has realigned the Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR). OHSEPR will be a direct report to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs. ACF will transfer the U.S. Repatriation Program from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to OHSEPR. The OHSEPR mission statement has been revised to include the Repatriation Program and responsibility for business continuity planning. It renames the Division of Disaster Case Management to the Division of Response and Recovery Operations and the Division of Emergency Planning, Policy and Operations to the Division of Emergency Policy and Planning. Lastly, it changes the reporting relationship of the Office of Communications from a direct report to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs to a direct report to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40517-40519]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17575]


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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.

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SUMMARY: Statement of Organizations, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority
    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has realigned 
the Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response 
(OHSEPR). OHSEPR will be a direct report to the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for External Affairs. ACF will transfer the U.S. Repatriation 
Program from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to OHSEPR. The 
OHSEPR mission statement has been revised to include the Repatriation 
Program and responsibility for business continuity planning. It renames 
the Division of Disaster Case Management to the Division of Response 
and Recovery Operations and the Division of Emergency Planning, Policy 
and Operations to the Division of Emergency Policy and Planning. 
Lastly, it changes the reporting relationship of the Office of 
Communications from a direct report to the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for External Affairs to a direct report to the Assistant Secretary for 
Children and Families.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Meier, Acting Director for 
OHSEPR, (202) 401-9306, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201.
    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 KA, Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary as 
last amended in 80 FR 63555-63558, October 20, 2015; Chapter KW, Office 
of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response as last amended 
in 80 FR 63555-63558, October 20, 2015; Chapter KN, Office of 
Communications as last amended in 80 FR 63555-63558, October 20, 2015, 
and most recently in 81 FR 49223-49224, July 27, 2016; and Chapter KR, 
Office of Refugee Resettlement as last amended in 82 FR 6588-6590, 
January 19, 2017.
    I. Under Chapter KW, Office of Human Services Emergency 
Preparedness and Response, delete KW in its entirety and replace with:

    KW.00 MISSION. The Office of Human Services Emergency 
Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) promotes resilience of vulnerable 
individuals, children, families, and communities impacted by 
disasters and public health emergencies. OHSEPR provides human 
services expertise to ACF grantees, partners, and stakeholders 
during preparedness, response, and recovery operations for emergency 
and disaster events. Working closely with ACF Program Offices and 
the Office of Regional Operations (ORO), OHSEPR coordinates ACF's 
planning, policy, and operations for emergency and disaster 
preparedness, response, and recovery. OHSEPR supports fulfillment of 
disaster human services within the integrated response and recovery 
operations of the HHS. OHSEPR administers the Human Services 
Immediate Disaster Case Management Program and the U.S. Repatriation 
Program. OHSEPR manages the ACF Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP), 
which directs how ACF's mission essential functions are performed 
during a wide range of disruptions or emergencies.
    KW.10 ORGANIZATION. OHSEPR is headed by a Director, who reports 
to the Assistant Secretary through the Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
External Affairs (DASEA), and consists of:

Office of the Director (KW1)
Division of Response and Recovery Operations (KW2)
Division of Emergency Policy and Planning (KW3)

    KW.20 FUNCTIONS. A. The Office of the Director is responsible 
for the administrative oversight and strategic direction of all 
OHSEPR programs, projects, and activities. The Director implements 
the strategic vision of the DASEA, manages budgetary and legal 
matters affecting OHSEPR, administers human resources and program 
evaluation functions, and ensures 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 and business continuity operations. The 
Deputy Director assists the Director in an alter-ego capacity to 
carry out the responsibilities and oversight of the

[[Page 40518]]

OHSEPR. The Director works in close coordination with the DASEA and 
the Assistant Secretary due to the highly visible nature of 
emergency preparedness and response.
    The Administrative Team provides administrative, financial 
management, budget, and contract officer representative 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 Response and Recovery Operations is responsible 
for administration of ACF human services response and recovery 
operations for disasters and public health emergencies and the 
repatriation of U.S. citizens. This division works closely with the 
Division of Emergency Policy and Planning to maintain capabilities 
and ensure readiness for response and recovery operations to future 
events. Deployable capabilities include the Human Services Immediate 
Disaster Case Management (IDCM) Program, the Emergency Repatriation 
Program, and the deployment of ACF human services subject matter 
experts and staffing assets during response and recovery events.
    The Human Services IDCM Program assists 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
Individual Assistance is approved. This Division maintains the 
capacity to deploy IDCM teams upon activation by the FEMA. The 
Division administers the electronic case record management system to 
provide IDCM services in accordance with data management laws and 
regulations. This Division works closely with FEMA and the HHS 
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
    The Repatriation Program receives and assists citizens and their 
dependents returning to the United States through the repatriation 
process. During an emergency repatriation, initiated by the 
Department of State, this Division activates state government 
capability through pre-established agreements to provide temporary 
services necessary for the health and welfare of eligible 
repatriated individuals in the form of a service loan. Temporary 
services include, but are not limited to transportation, shelter, 
medical care, and other goods and services. (HHS Repatriation 
Program is authorized under Section 1113 of the Social Security Act 
and Public Law 86-571, 24 U.S.C. 321-329, and other applicable 
regulations and executive orders.) This Division maintains the 
capacity to deploy repatriation teams to support state government 
operations at points of entry. This Division works closely with the 
Department of State and HHS ASPR to carry out program operations and 
to respond during events when state capability has been exceeded.
    This Division manages capabilities for other operations, 
including ACF's Watch Desk and threat analysis, situational 
awareness reporting, and deployment and management of requested 
human services subject matter experts and response and recovery 
staffing assets. It also coordinates ACF support for federal 
emergency missions and liaises with federal interagency and other 
partners in response and recovery.
    C. Division of Emergency Policy and Planning is responsible for 
administering OHSEPR's policy and planning activities to support 
readiness of operations, and to promote preparedness and resilience 
for children, families, and communities prior to disasters, public 
health emergencies, and emergency repatriations. This Division 
carries out ``steady state'' activities to ensure readiness of 
deployable and non-deployable assets and programs, including the 
development of plans, guides, procedures, training, exercises, 
mutual agreements, and staffing assets. This Division actively 
promotes ACF's deployable capabilities, including IDCM and the 
Repatriation Program, and emergency preparedness and community 
resilience to ACF grantees and human services providers, and ensures 
human service impacts from disasters are addressed in HHS-wide and 
government-wide emergency planning and policymaking. This Division 
works closely with ACF programs, Office of Regional Operations, 
grantees and stakeholders, HHS operating divisions, federal human 
service programs, and state and local human service programs.
    This Division analyzes, forecasts, and maintains volunteer 
employee staffing assets; administers training and exercises for the 
deployment of volunteer staff in various types of situations; and 
ensures necessary follow-up contact with volunteer staff after 
deployment to ensure their well-being and adjustment. This Division 
works closely with ACF Program Offices, the Office of Regional 
Operations, and the HHS Employee Assistance Program.
    The Division is responsible for coordinating the development and 
currency of ACF COOPs as required by the Presidential Policy 
Directive 40 (PPD-40), National Continuity Policy, and as directed 
by the Administrator of FEMA. This Division ensures the COOP meets 
established continuity program and planning requirements for 
executive departments and agencies, and contains defined elements 
outlined in established frameworks, requirements, and processes. 
These required elements include delineation of essential functions; 
succession to office and delegations of authority; safekeeping of 
and access to essential records; continuity locations; continuity 
communications; human resources planning; devolution of essential 
functions; reconstitution; and program validation through testing, 
training, and exercises.

    II. 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. 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 DASEA provides executive leadership and direction to the 
Office of Regional Operations and the OHSEPR. 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.

    III. Under Chapter KN, Office of Communications, delete KN.10 
Organization and replace with the following:

    KN.10 ORGANIZATION. The Office of Communications is headed by a 
Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Children and 
Families. 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)

    IV. Under Chapter KN, Office of Communications, delete KN.20 
functions, paragraph A and replace with the following:

    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 an advisor to the Assistant 
Secretary for Children and Families 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.

    V. Continuation of Policy. Except as inconsistent with this 
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with 
respect to organizational components affected by this notice

[[Page 40519]]

within ACF heretofore issued and in effect on this date of this 
reorganization are continued in full force and effect.
    VI. Delegation 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 
redelegations, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    VII. 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: August 8, 2018.
Steven Wagner,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 2018-17575 Filed 8-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4184-34-P