Notice2023-14733
Replacement of 2015 Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
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Published
July 12, 2023
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services Department
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44374-44377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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:
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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
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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.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 (<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/110/public/175">https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/110/public/175</a>), 121 Stat. 2524, 5 U.S.C.
552(k) (<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/552">https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/552</a>). 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
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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 (<a href="http://HHS.gov">HHS.gov</a>) and associated social media; internal
communications, the Department's priority websites and several cross-
federal topic websites, such as <a href="http://FoodSafety.gov">FoodSafety.gov</a>, <a href="http://StopBullying.gov">StopBullying.gov</a>,
<a href="http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov">betobaccofree.hhs.gov</a> 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
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