[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85643-85645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28706]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Refugee Resettlement


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has 
realigned the Office of Refugee Resettlement. It renames the Division 
of Influx Planning and Logistics to the Division of Planning and 
Logistics. It also creates one new division, which is the Division of 
Office Operations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heidi Stirrup, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201; (202) 401-4556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 KR, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, as last amended by 80 FR 33269-33270, June 11, 2015.
    I. Under Chapter KR, Office of Refugee Resettlement, delete KR.10 
Organization in its entirety and replace with the following:
    KR.10 Organization. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is 
headed by a Director, who reports directly to the Assistant Secretary 
for Children and Families. ORR is organized, as follows:

Office of the Director (KRA)
Division of Policy and Procedures (KRA1)
Division of Strategic Planning, Budget and Data Analysis (KRA2)
Division of Office Operations (KRA3)
Refugee Programs (KRB)
Division of Refugee Assistance (KRB1)
Division of Refugee Services (KRB2)
Division of Refugee Health (KRB3)
Unaccompanied Alien Children's Programs (KRC)
Division of Unaccompanied Alien Children's Operations (KRC1)
Division of Planning and Logistics (KRC2)
Division of Health for Unaccompanied Alien (KRC3)

    II. Under Chapter KR, Office of Refugee Resettlement, deletes KR.20 
Functions in its entirety and replaces it with the following:
    KR.20 Function.
    A. The Office of the Director is directly responsible to the 
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families for carrying out ORR's 
mission and providing guidance and general supervision to the 
components of ORR. The ORR Director provides direction in the 
development of program policy and budget and in the formulation of 
salaries and expense budgets. Program oversight is carried out by the 
Deputy Director for Unaccompanied Children's Program and the Deputy 
Director for Refugee Programs.
    The ORR Director coordinates with the lead refugee and entrant 
program offices of other federal departments; provides leadership in 
representing refugee and entrant programs, policies and administration 
to a variety of governmental entities and other public and private 
interests; and acts as the coordinator of the total refugee and entrant 
resettlement effort for ACF and the Department. The ORR Director 
oversees the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children, grants 
specific consent for those who wish to invoke the jurisdiction of a 
state court for a dependency order to seek Special Immigrant Juvenile 
status, and makes placement determinations for those eligible for the 
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program. The Office of the Director 
develops regulations, legislative proposals, and routine 
interpretations of policy, implementing strategic initiatives and 
management priorities, and oversees communications for the office, 
including responses to media requests, congressional inquiries, and 
stakeholder engagements. Within the Office of the Director, the Public 
Affairs (PA) team provides leadership on tactical message development, 
relationship management, and content engagement planning for all ORR 
Divisions. ORR has a unique set of communication requirements demanding 
timely and strategic planning for engagement with the media, 
stakeholders, Congress, and its care provider network of grantee 
organizations.
    ORR's PA team prioritizes the day-to-day strategic communication 
assignments to accommodate moderate to heavy workloads, shifting 
demands, emergency situations, and other operational needs. The Team 
provides strategic advice and recommendations to operational divisions, 
as well as senior officials on media relations activities, particularly 
message development and strategy for high-profile issues and complex 
communication challenges.
    The Director of the Division of Policy and Procedures assesses and 
evaluates ORR programs and their legal authorities and proactively 
recommends policy development, regulation updates and changes, 
legislative proposals, and operational and management actions to comply 
with statutory parameters as they relate to each of the program areas. 
The Division advises the ORR Director, deputies, division directors, 
and staff on a wide range of significant and sensitive policy-related 
matters and strategies for attaining ORR policy objectives. The 
Division identifies major emerging policy issues, develops policy 
options and strategies, and implements policy initiatives, including 
the drafting of policies, guidance, and regulations. The Division 
consults with the ORR operating divisions in the creation and clearance 
of procedures, consistent with established regulations, policies and 
guidance, and implements training on policies and procedures for ORR 
staff. The Division of Policy and Procedures develops clearance and 
informational memoranda, briefing materials and summary statements for 
ORR, ACF, and the Department's leadership on complex and sensitive ORR 
matters. The Division collaborates with the ORR operating divisions and 
regional staff to clarify and enhance existing policies and guidance, 
particularly in areas where the work of two or more divisions overlap. 
The Director of the Division of Policy and Procedures serves as the ORR 
point of contact for other ACF and HHS offices related to legal and 
evaluation issues, such as the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the 
Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget, the U.S. Government 
Accountability Office, and the Office of the Inspector General. The 
Division represents ORR on interagency working groups and collaborates 
with both government and private sector leaders on ORR policy-related 
issues and developments.
    The Director of the Division of Strategic Planning, Budget and Data 
Analysis leads ORR in the development, tracking and implementation of 
strategic goals, and performs budget, data analysis and compliance 
functions for the office. The Division prepares annual budget estimates 
and related materials and performs allocation and tracking of

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funds for all programs. The Division performs analysis on the changing 
needs of the populations served by ORR programs, provides leadership to 
identify data needs and sources, and formulates data and reporting 
requirements. The Division also leads the office in the development of 
strategic goals and objectives and ensures that policies and 
operational and management activities are designed to achieve ORR, ACF, 
and Departmental goals.
    This notice creates a new Division for Office Operations (DOO). The 
Director of DOO, in collaboration and coordination with ACF, provides 
advice and assistance to ORR managers in their personnel management 
activities, including recruitment, selection, position management, 
performance management, designated performance and incentive awards and 
employee assistance programs, and other services. DOO provides 
management, direction, and oversight of the following personnel 
administrative services: The exercise of appointing authority, position 
classification, awards authorization, performance management 
evaluation, personnel action processing and record keeping, merit 
promotion, special hiring, and placement programs. DOO serves as 
liaison between ACF, the Department, Staffing, Recruitment and 
Operations Center, and the Office of Personnel Management. It provides 
technical advice and assistance on personnel policy, regulations, and 
laws. DOO formulates and interprets policies pertaining to existing 
personnel administration and management matters, and formulates and 
interprets new human resource programs and strategies.
    DOO administers the ACF Ethics program, the Personnel Security 
program, and the Drug Testing program in coordination with the 
Department's Office of Government Ethics, OGC, and the Office of 
Security and Drug Testing. The Office implements ACF travel policies 
and procedures consistent with federal requirements. The Office 
provides technical assistance and oversight, coordinates ORR use of the 
Travel Management System, manages employee participation in the Travel 
Charge Card program, and coordinates Travel Management Center services 
for ORR. It purchases and tracks common use supplies, stationery, and 
publications. The Division develops and implements policies and 
procedures for the Personal Property Management program, including 
managing the Personal Property Inventory, and other personal property 
activities. DOO performs the duties and responsibilities of managing 
Freedom of Information Act, SWIFT, Case Files, and Records Management. 
Creating DOO and consolidating teams will enhance mission and service 
delivery. DOO will centralize and better coordinate team's efforts, 
reduce administrative costs, and make it easier for managers to run 
programs to meet the comprehensive needs of their workforce.
    B. The Refugee Programs are responsible for carrying out programs 
that provide assistance to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian 
entrants, and certain Amerasians and victims of severe forms of 
trafficking in persons. In addition, Refugee Programs supports services 
to survivors of torture. The Deputy Director reports directly to the 
Director of ORR.
    The Refugee Programs consist of the Division of Refugee Assistance, 
the Division of Refugee Services, the Division of Refugee Health, and 
the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program.
    The Director of the Division of Refugee Assistance represents ORR 
in coordinating services and capacity for refugees in a manner that 
helps refugees become employed and economically self-sufficient soon 
after their arrival in the United States. The Division monitors and 
provides technical assistance to the state-administered domestic 
assistance programs and Wilson/Fish projects. The Division works 
closely with each state in designing a resettlement program specific to 
the needs of incoming populations. The Division develops guidance and 
procedures for their implementation; manages special initiatives to 
increase refugee self-sufficiency such as through state funded 
discretionary grants or pilot programs. The Division also assists 
public and private agencies on data reporting and the resolution of 
reporting problems. The Division develops and supports the flow of 
information on refugee profiles and community resources in support of 
effective placement at the state and local level. The Division works 
closely with the Department of State to ensure effective and seamless 
orientation from overseas to local resettlement community. The Division 
manages the effective allocation of formula social services and 
targeted assistance in support of newly arriving populations and 
secondary resettlement. The Division tracks all state costs related to 
refugee assistance.
    The Director of the Division of Refugee Services manages effective 
refugee resettlement through the programmatic implementation of grants, 
contracts, and special initiatives, such as the Match Grant Program. 
The Division oversees and monitors most ORR discretionary grants, 
recommends grantee allocation, coordinates with the grants management 
office to review the financial expenditures under discretionary grant 
programs, provides data in support of apportionment requests, and 
provides technical assistance on discretionary grants operations. The 
Division coordinates and provides liaison with the Department and other 
federal agencies on discretionary grant operational issues and other 
activities, as specified by the Director or required by Congressional 
mandate. The Division works to promote economic independence among 
refugees through social services, educational services, and intensive 
case management and community development initiatives.
    The Director of the Division of Refugee Health provides direction 
for assuring that refugees are provided medical assistance and mental 
health services through the state-administered program and alternative 
privately administered programs. The Division ensures the quality of 
medical screening and initial medical treatment of refugees through its 
administration of grant programs, technical assistance and interagency 
agreements in support of comprehensive medical and mental health 
services. The Division also supports mental health services to victims 
of torture. The Division works closely with State Refugee Health 
Coordinators in the planning and provision of medical and mental health 
services to meet the individual needs of incoming populations. The 
Division monitors programs and tracks all state costs related to 
refugee medical assistance and screening.
    Under the purview of the Deputy Director, the Unaccompanied Refugee 
Minors (URM) team provides oversight of foster care placement and 
services to unaccompanied refugee children and other special 
populations of youth in the United States. URM program services focus 
on the safety, education, well-being, and self-sufficiency of youth in 
care. The Team coordinates placement for eligible youth referred to the 
URM program and provides monitoring and oversight to the state-
administered URM programs working closely with states to ensure 
sufficient capacity to serve all URM-eligible populations. The Team 
develops guidance and procedures for the administration and 
implementation of the URM program, and provides technical assistance on 
a variety of administrative, case, programmatic, financial, and policy 
matters. The Team

[[Page 85645]]

also manages all data collected on youth served in the URM program.
    C. The Unaccompanied Alien Children's Programs is directly 
responsible in providing care and services to unaccompanied alien 
children who are referred to ORR for care pending immigration status, 
or identified as victims of trafficking. The Unaccompanied Alien 
Children's Program consists of the Division of Unaccompanied Alien 
Children's Operations, the Division of Planning and Logistics, and the 
Division of Unaccompanied Alien Children's Health. The Program 
maintains statistical information and data on each child and any 
actions concerning the child while the child is under the Director's 
care. The Unaccompanied Alien Children's Programs includes compliance 
teams who conducts oversight of allegations of abuse, monitoring and 
inspections of facilities, and placement locations in which 
unaccompanied alien children reside. Unaccompanied Alien Children 
Program staff ensures that services are administered in a manner that 
supports child welfare standards of care and services and complete 
regular monitoring of service provision. The Deputy Director reports 
directly to the Director of ORR.
    The Director of the Division of Unaccompanied Alien Children's 
Operations implements intake and placement decisions for all 
unaccompanied alien children. The Division supports specialized care 
through grants and contracts. The Division ensures consideration of the 
child's best interest in care and custody decisions. The Division 
coordinates all decisions related to sponsor reunification, background 
checks, home assessments, follow-up services, medical assessment and 
treatment, and repatriation. The Division administers the pro bono 
legal services and child advocate programs, and compiles a state-by-
state list of professionals or entities qualified to provide the 
children with a guardian and attorney representational services. The 
Division also supports grants for services provided to children after 
their release from ORR care.
    The Director leads the Division of Planning and Logistics and 
oversees the development of a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure 
that the Unaccompanied Alien Children Programs is able to anticipate 
and meet capacity needs. The Planning and Logistic Division will lead a 
continuous improvement plan. The Division prepares plans for temporary 
increases in shelter capacity and staffing, as well as temporary 
changes in ORR staffing to support continued Unaccompanied Children 
Program operations. The Division leads coordination with other federal 
agencies and work with other Unaccompanied Alien Children's divisions 
to support influx response. If ORR experiences an influx in referrals 
of unaccompanied children, the team leads influx response operations 
and logistics.
    The Director of the Division of Unaccompanied Alien Children's 
Health oversees the provision of health and medical services to 
unaccompanied children in ORR care. The Division reviews and approves 
orders for complex medical procedures and reviews test results for 
certain medical ailments. The Division also ensures reporting of public 
health information to the appropriate public health authorities.
    III. Continuation of Policy. Except as inconsistent with this 
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with 
respect to organizational components affected by this notice within 
ACF, heretofore issued and in effect on this date of this 
reorganization are continued in full force and effect.
    IV. Delegation of Authority. All delegations and re-delegations of 
authority made to officials and employees of affected organizational 
components will continue in them or their successors pending further 
re-delegations, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    V. 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.
    Delegation of Authority. Directives or orders by the Assistant 
Secretary of the Administration of Children and Families, 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.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101.)

    Dated: December 1, 2020.
Megan E. Steel,
Office of the Executive Secretariat, Administration for Children and 
Families.
[FR Doc. 2020-28706 Filed 12-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-45-P