[Federal Register: June 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 121)]
[Notices]
[Page 35378-35379]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn04-82]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of
Authority
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 KC, the Administration on Developmental Disabilities
(ADD) (65 FR 18337-38), as last amended April 7, 2000. This notice
incorporates the provisions governing election assistance for
individuals with disabilities in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of
2002, Pub. L. 107-252, 116 Stat 1666 (2002). The authority to
administer HAVA was delegated to the Assistant Secretary, ACF by the
Secretary on February 9, 2004, and subsequently redelegated to the
Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities by the
Assistant Secretary, ACF on April 2, 2004. In addition, the notice
establishes the Office of Programs and the Office of Operations,
eliminates the Deputy Commissioner position, and moves the
Administration and Planning Staff and their functions to the newly
established Office of Operations.
This Chapter is amended as follows:
1. Chapter KC, Administration on Developmental Disabilities
A. Delete KC.00 Mission in its entirety and replace with the
following:
KC.00 Mission. The Administration on Developmental Disabilities
advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and
Families, on matters relating to individuals with developmental
disabilities and their families. ADD serves as the focal point in the
Department to support and encourage the provision of quality services
to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. ADD
assists states, through the design and implementation of a
comprehensive and continuing state plan, in increasing the
independence, productivity and community inclusion of individuals with
developmental disabilities. These state plans make optimal use of
existing federal and state resources for the provision of services and
supports to these individuals and their families to achieve these
outcomes. ADD works with the states to ensure that the rights of all
individuals with developmental disabilities are protected.
ADD administers two formula grant programs, the State Developmental
Disabilities Councils and the Protection and Advocacy Systems, and two
discretionary grant programs, University Affiliated Programs and
Projects of National Significance, including Family Support. These
programs support the provision of services to individuals with
developmental disabilities and their families. In concert with other
components of ACF as well as other public, private, and voluntary
sector partners, ADD develops and implements research, demonstration
and evaluation strategies for discretionary funding of activities
designed to improve and enrich the lives of individuals with
developmental disabilities. In addition, ADD serves as a resource in
the development of policies and programs to reduce or eliminate
barriers experienced by individuals with developmental disabilities
through the identification of promising practices and dissemination of
information. ADD supports and encourages programs or services, which
prevent developmental disabilities and manages initiatives involving
the private and voluntary sectors that benefit individuals with
developmental and other disabilities and their families.
ADD is responsible for administering three grant programs under the
voter accessibility provisions of HAVA. Two are formula grants, one to
states and local governments and one to protection and advocacy
systems, and the other is a discretionary grant for training and
technical assistance.
B. Delete KC.10 Organization in its entirety and replace with the
following:
KC.10 Organization. The Administration on Developmental
Disabilities is headed by a Commissioner who reports directly to the
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. The Administration on
Developmental Disabilities consists of:
Office of the Commissioner (KCA).
Office of Programs (KCB).
Office of Operations (KCC).
C. Delete KC.20 Functions, paragraph A in its entirety and replace
with the following:
KC.20 Functions. A. The Office of the Commissioner (OC) serves as
the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and
Families, the Secretary, and other elements of the Department for
individuals with developmental disabilities. The Office provides
executive direction and management strategy to ADD's components and
establishes goals and objectives for ADD programs.
In coordination with the ACF Office of Public Affairs, the Office
of the Commissioner develops a strategy for increasing public awareness
of the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and
programs designed to address them.
D. Delete KC 20 Functions, paragraph B in its entirety and replace
with the following:
B. Office of Programs is responsible for the coordination,
management, and evaluation of the State Developmental Disabilities
Councils Program and the Protection and Advocacy Grants Program,
including the development of procedures and performance standards that
ensure compliance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and
Bill of Rights (DD) Act and improve the outcomes of Developmental
Disabilities Councils and Protection and Advocacy Systems in increasing
the independence, productivity and community inclusion of persons with
developmental disabilities.
The Office administers two formula grants under HAVA that improves
accessibility to individuals with disabilities, including the blind and
visually impaired, to polling places, including the path of travel,
entrances, exits and voting facilities. The Office also administers a
training and technical assistance grant under HAVA that supports
training, demonstration, and evaluation of the use of new voting
systems and technologies by individuals with disabilities.
The Office conducts routine and special analyses of state plans
under the Basic State Grants Program, including an examination of
priority area activities, to assure consistent application of ADD
program goals and objectives. The Office conducts reviews of programs
to ensure compliance with the DD Act to improve program outcomes; and
identify and disseminate information regarding excellence in advancing
the independence, productivity and community inclusion of people with
developmental disabilities.
The Office initiates, executes, and supports the development of
interagency, intergovernmental, and public-private sector agreements,
committees, task forces, commissions, or joint funding efforts as
appropriate.
The Office provides program and administrative guidance to regional
offices on matters related to the implementation of the DD Act; and
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ensures timely and effective communication with the regional offices
regarding program compliance, policy clarification, and the approval of
required state plans and reports.
E. Delete KC 20 Functions, paragraph C in its entirety and replace
with the following:
C. Office of Operations plans, coordinates and controls ADD policy,
planning, and management activities which include the development of
legislative proposals, regulations and policy issuances for ADD. The
Office manages the formulation and execution of the program and
operating budgets; provides administrative, personnel and information
systems support services; serves as the ADD Executive Secretariat
controlling the flow of correspondence; and coordinates with
appropriate ACF components in implementing administrative requirements
and procedures. The Office also coordinates interagency collaboration,
program outreach, and convener functions.
The Office manages the discretionary grants and contracts mandated
by the DD Act, and provide program development services. The Office
originates cross-cutting research, demonstration and evaluation
initiatives with other components of ADD, ACF, HHS, and other
government agencies; and manages discretionary grants and contracts and
assists in monitoring and evaluating discretionary grants at the
national level.
The Office plans for and implements experimental program services
based on advice from state and local organizations on program needs.
The Office formulates and prepares annual demonstration and evaluation
plans, coordinates and administers the University Affiliated Programs
(UAP's) activities, and develops quality assurance criteria for the UAP
Program.
The Office develops and initiates guidelines, policy issuances and
actions with team participation by other components of ADD, ACF, HHS,
and other government agencies to fulfill the mission and goals of the
DD Act. The Office ensures the dissemination of project results and
information produced by ADD grantees.
The Office coordinates national program trends with other ACF
programs and HHS agencies; and studies, reviews and analyzes other
federal programs providing services applicable to persons with
developmental disabilities for the purpose of integrating and
coordinating program efforts.
Dated: June 16, 2004.
Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-14357 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P