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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1511-1514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00183]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service

Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority; Part G; 
Indian Health Service Headquarters, Office of the Director

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Final notice.

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SUMMARY: Part G of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and 
Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) is hereby amended to reflect a reorganization of the Indian 
Health Service (IHS). The purpose of this reorganization is to revise 
the current approved structure for the IHS, Office of the Director, 
Intergovernmental Affairs functions in Chapter GA (GAA-GAC), as 
provided for herein.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IHS is an Operating Division within the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is under the 
leadership and direction of a Director who is directly responsible to 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The IHS Headquarters is 
reorganizing the following major component: Office of the Director, 
under the Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs.
    Part G of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations 
of Authority was most recently amended at 89 FR 61126, July 30, 2024.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101.

Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity Staff (GA3)

    (1) Administers the Indian Health Service (IHS) equal employment 
opportunity, civil rights, and affirmative action and Alternative 
Dispute Resolution programs, in accordance with applicable laws, 
regulations, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 
policies; (2) plans and oversees the implementation of IHS affirmative 
employment and special emphasis programs in accordance with applicable 
laws, regulations and HHS policies; (3) reviews data and advises IHS 
managers of possible discriminatory trends; (4) ensures immediate 
implementation of required actions on complaints of alleged sexual 
harassment or discrimination; (5) decides on accepting, for 
investigation, or dismissing discrimination complaints and evaluates 
accepted complaints for procedural sufficiency and investigates and 
resolves complaints; (6) evaluates accepted formal complaints of 
discrimination for procedural sufficiency and adjudicates and resolves 
complaints; and (7) develops/administers equal employment opportunity 
education and training programs for IHS managers, supervisors, 
counselors, and employees.

Office of Indian Self-Determination and Self-Governance (GAA)

    (1) Provides leadership and implementation of legislation and 
authorities under Title I and Title V of Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), excluding construction authorities; 
(2) provides oversight and monitoring of Agency compliance with ISDEAA 
policies, administrative procedures and guidelines; (3) advises the IHS 
Director, on activities and issues related to ISDEAA; (4) works in 
partnership with Tribal governments and the Tribal Self-Governance 
Advisory Committee (TSGAC) in the development and recommendations of 
policies, administrative procedures, and guidelines of ISDEAA 
activities for the implementation of the Tribal Self-Governance Program 
(TSGP); (5) provides Agency leadership of national TSGAC meetings for 
Tribal governments on the TSGP; (6) coordinates and provides technical 
assistance Tribal governments and Tribal organizations, as outlined in 
the ISDEAA; (7) coordinates the oversight and monitoring funding 
agreements and annual funding agreements at all levels; (8) serves as 
the principal IHS office for the development of presentations and 
trainings on the ISDEAA; (9) participates in meetings between Tribal 
delegations, Tribal governments, and the IHS Director; (10) develops 
executive management reports, reports to Congress, and conducts data 
analysis on ISDEAA activities; (11) provides ISDEAA leadership, 
assistance, and support to IHS Area offices and program offices, 
including on issues related to Contract Support Costs (CSC); and (12) 
participates in cross-cutting issues and processes including, but not 
limited to, emergency preparedness/security, budget formulation, 
ISDEAA, Tribal shares computations, and resolution of audit findings 
related to Tribal health programs.

Division of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
Programs (GAA1)

    (1) Provides Agency leadership and direction for all Agency 
negotiators on ISDEAA Title I and Title V contracts and compacts and 
annual funding agreements; (2) provides Agency-wide assistance and 
support to Agency negotiators for ISDEAA Title I and Title V 
negotiations; (3) provides policy and procedural guidance to Agency 
negotiators in support of ISDEAA negotiation activities; (4) 
responsible for education and technical assistance, as appropriate, to 
Tribal personnel in the preparation, negotiation, and payment of ISDEAA 
contracts and compacts; (5) performs monitoring and oversight of all 
ISDEAA program activities and funding; (6) conducts performance reviews 
of ISDEAA program activities; (7) develops programmatic responses 
regarding ISDEAA to oversight entities such as Office of Inspector 
General and Government Accountability Office in coordination with the 
IHS Office of Quality; and (8) coordinates and leads internal Agency 
review with the Headquarters leadership team on potential Title I, full 
or partial, Declinations Reassumptions and Title V Final Offer Review 
Group activities.

Division of Tribal Payments (GAA1A)

    (1) Collaborates with the Office of Finance and Accounting (OFA) to 
review and ensure ISDEAA payment documents are in compliance with 
policies and procedures; (2) monitors, tracks and conducts financial 
management activities for ISDEAA payments; (3) develops Agency 
Programs, Services, Functions, and Activities policy, manual 
development and monitoring activities; (4) provides support to OFA and 
Agency negotiators on oversight and monitoring activities of single 
audits of ISDEAA programs to ensure compliance with laws and 
regulations; (5) provides Agency oversight and technical assistance to 
Agency negotiators regarding Tribal payments; (6) coordinates with the 
OFA and leads the management and oversight of financial management 
tools and subsidiary financial systems to make payments to Tribal 
Health Programs; (7) conducts periodic oversight reviews on the Agency 
Tribal payments process; and (8) works closely with the OFA to complete 
payments to Tribes for ISDEAA contracts and compacts.

Training and Technical Assistance Staff (GAA1B)

    (1) Provides leadership in the development, planning and delivery 
of training and technical assistance (T/TA) through engagement with 
Federal, Tribal and Tribal Organization (T/TO) partners; (2) develops 
and manages Agency-wide, standardized training curriculum for ISDEAA; 
(3) conducts

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data monitoring and tracking for all T/TA activities, ensuring accurate 
measure reporting and benchmarking while enhancing management of T/TA 
assets; (4) researches issues and develops learning objectives to 
resolve and foster approaches to ISDEAA related issues; (5) coordinates 
Agency expertise and training resources to address Tribal issues and 
technical support for T/TO's; (6) collaborates with T/TOs to build upon 
existing strengths and knowledge; (7) develop ISDEAA compliance tools 
to conduct periodic program level oversight reviews; and (8) 
coordinates T/TA related information technology investments to develop 
internal T/TA resource database, Agency T/TA resource page, and a 
central T/TA learning management system.

Division of Contract Support Costs (GAA2)

    (1) Provides a uniform and equitable system of determining, 
tracking and reconciling CSC funds for new, expanded and ongoing ISDEAA 
compacts and contracts; (2) provides coordination in the administration 
of CSC activities across the Agency; (3) provides Agency leadership 
guidance in the development and implementation of Agency CSC policies 
and procedures; (4) provides technical assistance and education to 
Federal, and/or T/TO's in the preparation, negotiation, determination, 
payment and reconciliation of CSC funding; (5) provides Agency 
leadership for the IHS/Tribal CSC Advisory Committee activities; (6) in 
coordination through OFA, participates in the budget justification 
process and provides all requirements for CSC funding levels; (7) 
maintains systems to monitor all CSC funds paid to T/TO's; and (8) 
develops executive management reports, reports to Congress and data 
analysis on CSC activities.

Division of Tribal Leasing (GAA3)

    (1) Provides Agency leadership in the administration of section 
105(l) of the ISDEAA, 25 U.S.C. 5324(l), and the implementing 
regulations at 25 CFR part 900, subpart H, also known as ``section 
105(l) leases'' or ``Tribal leases;'' (2) develops 105(l) policies and 
procedures for Agency negotiations, implementation and administration 
for the Agency 105(l) program; (3) responsible for education and 
technical assistance of the 105(l) program T/TO and Agency negotiators 
in the preparation, negotiation, determination, and payments; (4) 
provides oversight of 105(l) program activities and funding; (5) 
develops oversight and monitoring activities for periodic program 
activities and performance reviews of 105(l) program; (6) in 
coordination with OFA, develops budget justification for 105(l) program 
funding requests; (7) communicates with the Department of Interior, 
Bureau of Indian Affairs on 105(l) lease proposals and associated 
Agency policies; (8) in coordination through OFA, participates in the 
budget justification process and provides all requirements for 105(l) 
funding levels; (9) maintains systems to monitor all 105(l) funds paid 
to T/TO's; and (10) develops executive management reports, reports to 
Congress and data analysis on 105(l) activities.

Office of Tribal and Urban Affairs (GAB)

    (1) Provides Agency leadership concerning policy development, 
program management, resource allocation related to Direct Service 
Tribes (DST) Urban Indian Organization (UIO) oversight activities; (2) 
advises the IHS Director and Deputy Director for Intergovernmental 
Affairs on Tribal, Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act and Urban program; (3) serves as the principal Agency liaison with 
T/TO, national, regional and Area Tribal consortiums, UIOs; (4) serves 
as the primary lead for the Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee 
(DSTAC) by coordination of DSTAC meetings to provide a forum for the 
DST leaders to express their concerns and primary issues relating to 
direct health care delivery by the IHS; (5) coordinates and facilitates 
meetings between Tribal delegations and the Office of the Director; (6) 
maintain a central contact information database on Tribal governments; 
(7) works with program offices to obtain information regarding IHS 
Tribal advisory committee activities including quarterly and annual 
meetings and committee representative listings; (8) serves as the IHS 
liaison to the HHS Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC); (9) 
participates in policy development on issues concerning newly federally 
recognized and restored Tribes; (10) maintains a central database of 
contact information for Tribal leaders, health director's health 
programs, etc.; and (11) participates in cross-cutting issues and 
processes including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness/
security, budget formulation, and resolution of audit findings related 
to program activities.

Division of Tribal Coordination (GAB1)

    (1) Provides Agency leadership and coordination for DSTs as 
required by 25 U.S.C. 1663; (2) directs a national program and 
providing leadership and advocacy in the development of health policy, 
program management, budget formulation, resource allocation, and 
delegation support for DSTs; (3) provides service-wide leadership, 
guidance and support for DSTs to include strategic planning and program 
evaluation; (4) ensures maximum flexibility to DST health and related 
support systems for Indian beneficiaries; (5) serves as the focal point 
for consultation and participation between DSTs, T/TO's and the Service 
in the development of Service policy; (6) provides Agency leadership 
and coordination for Tribal advisory group activities including 
membership listings, developing policies and operating procedures and 
coordination; (7) holds biannual consultations with DSTs in appropriate 
locations to gather information and aid in the development of health 
policy; (8) coordinates and conducts Tribal Consultation activities in 
accordance with Presidential Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal 
Consultation, including policy development and serves as central Agency 
point of contact for Tribal Consultation matters; (9) manages and 
coordinates the review and communicating throughout the Agency 
executive orders that affect T/TOs; (10) ensures dissemination of 
annual reports for Tribal advisory committees; and (11) serves as 
central Agency point of contact for Tribal delegations including 
scheduling, planning, coordination, correspondence and tracking of 
issues.

Tribal Resources Staff (GAB1A)

    (1) Administers a national statutorily mandated grant program 
designed to assist Tribal governments and Tribal organizations in 
beginning and/or expanding ISDEAA, Public Law 93-638, Title I and Title 
V, as amended; (2) provides leadership and management of Tribal 
Management Grant (TMG) and the Tribal Self-Governance Grant Program 
(TSGGP) funding; (3) participates in the development of budget 
formulation and justification requests for TMG resources; (4) provides 
leadership communication to T/TOs for TMG funding opportunities; (5) 
conducts program analysis of TMGs; (6) coordinates the review, 
evaluation and eligibility determinations of proposals from Tribal 
governments and Tribal organizations for ISDEAA planning, negotiation 
and management grants and recommendations to the IHS Director; and (7) 
develops executive management reports, reports to Congress and analysis 
on TMG/TSGGP activities.

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Public Engagement Staff (GAB1B)

    (1) Communicates with T/TOs and UIOs regarding relevant Agency 
information on programs and services that impact Tribal communities; 
(2) coordinates the dissemination of information from the Chief Medical 
Officer (CMO) regarding critical health issues that impact Tribal 
communities; (3) coordinates forums for discussion with T/TOs and UIOs 
with subject matter experts to develops a knowledge base of critical 
information for public consumption; (4) develop and leads townhall 
engagements for IHS customers; and (5) works with Public Affairs Staff 
to develop campaign forums for customer engagement.

Division of Urban Indian Affairs (GAB2)

    (1) Advises the IHS Director and Deputy Director for 
Intergovernmental Affairs on activities and issues related to the 
implementation of Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 
codified as amended in 25 U.S.C. 1651-1660i; (2) develops policies, 
administrative procedures, and guidelines for UIO health programs and 
organizations services and activities; (3) shares relevant Agency 
information for UIOs regarding pertinent IHS health policies affecting 
UIOs, in coordination with the IHS, CMO; (4) ensures that confer with 
UIOs occurs to the extent allowed by applicable law; (5) provide 
technical assistance and program support to Urban Indian health 
programs and organizations in managing health programs; (6) provides 
leadership and coordinates with other public and private agencies and 
organizations on program support for Urban Indian health programs and 
organizations; (7) advises the IHS Director on Agency compliance with 
Urban Indian health program policies, administrative procedures, and 
guidelines; (8) coordinates Agency communications with Urban Indian 
health program representatives; (9) participates in cross-cutting UIO 
issues and processes including, but not limited to emergency 
preparedness/security, budget formulation, computations and resolution 
of audit findings as may be needed and appropriate; and (10) 
administers and maintains a national grant program for UIO grant 
activities.

Office of External Affairs (GAC)

    (1) Builds strategic and trusted relationships with Congress, media 
outlets, non-governmental entities, philanthropic, community and faith-
based organizations; (2) advocates and advances Agency priorities with 
external outlets; (3) serve as the hub for external entities to work 
with IHS for the advancement of the Agency's relationship with American 
Indians and Alaska Natives; (4) coordinates activities between the IHS 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (5) serves as liaison for 
legislative affairs activities and coordination throughout the Agency; 
(6) provides executive secretariat support throughout the Agency; and 
(7) provides public affairs leadership and communications.

Veteran Coordination Support Staff (GAC1)

    (1) Coordinates program activities for IHS, Tribes, UIOs, and the 
VA to serve the health care needs of American Indian and Alaska Native 
(AI/AN) Veterans; (2) provides Agency coordination and oversight of the 
IHS/VA memorandum of understanding and operational plan; (3) provides 
support of the VA advisory workgroups and serves as staff support for 
the IHS representative on the VA advisory workgroup; (4) serves as 
Agency liaison for Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and UIOs to enter into 
VA and other partnerships that improve health outcomes for AI/AN 
Veterans; and (5) serves as the central point of contact for the VA, 
Federal agencies, HHS Operating Divisions, and other partners on AI/AN 
Veteran-related matters and to promote health care for AI/AN Veterans.

Strategic Partnerships Staff (GAC2)

    (1) Serves as Agency liaison to enhance communication with local, 
state, and Tribal governments as well as private sector, profit and 
not-for profit groups, and national organizations; (2) facilitates and 
coordinates communication between the IHS and external stakeholders at 
a high level, for Agency to partnerships to advance IHS initiatives; 
(3) serves as a central point of contact for other intergovernmental 
officials and external stakeholders; (4) serves as a liaison between 
IHS and non-governmental entities; (5) develops Agency strategies to 
strengthen intergovernmental and non-governmental relationships; (6) 
researches internal and external stakeholder opportunities for 
engagement to develop partnerships for IHS, Tribal, and Urban (ITU) 
health care; and (7) develops annual reports of outcomes of strategic 
partnership activities.

Legislative Affairs Staff (GAC3)

    (1) Serves as the principal advisor to the IHS Director on all 
legislative and congressional relations matters; (2) advises the IHS 
Director and other IHS officials on the need for changes in legislation 
and manages the development of IHS legislative initiatives; (3) serves 
as the IHS liaison office for congressional and legislative affairs 
with congressional offices, the HHS, the Office of Management and 
Budget, the White House, and other Federal agencies; (4) tracks all 
major legislative proposals in the Congress that would impact Indian 
health; (5) ensures that the IHS Director and appropriate IHS and HHS 
officials are briefed on the potential impact of proposed legislation; 
(6) develops legislative strategy for key policy and legislative 
initiatives; (7) provides technical assistance and advice relative to 
the effect that legislative initiatives/implementation would have on 
the IHS; provides support and collaborates with the OFA relative to IHS 
appropriations efforts; (8) directs the development of IHS briefing 
materials for Congressional hearings, testimony, and bill reports; (9) 
analyzes legislation for necessary action within the IHS; (10) develops 
appropriate legislative implementation plans; and (11) coordinates with 
IHS Headquarters (HQ) and Area Offices as appropriate to provide 
legislative leadership on issues raised from advocacy entities, and 
provides technical support to respond to requests from the public, 
including Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, and Indian 
community organizations regarding IHS legislative issues.

Executive Secretariat Staff (GAC4)

    (1) Manages the processing of executive correspondence and related 
information to the IHS Director from Tribes and Tribal governments, 
Tribal organizations, UIOs, Federal departments and agencies, Congress 
and Congressional staff offices, attorneys, patients, schools, 
universities, employees, grantees, contractors, and the general public; 
(2) reviews and monitors correspondence received by the IHS Director 
and assigns reply or follow-up action to appropriate IHS HQ program 
offices and IHS Area Offices; (3) ensures the quality, responsiveness, 
clarity, and substance of IHS-generated correspondence prepared for the 
IHS Director's signature by coordinating the review of integrity and 
policy issues, and performing standard edits and revisions; (4) reviews 
and coordinates clearance of decision documents for the IHS Director's 
approval to ensure successful operations and policy-making within the 
Agency; (5) assists IHS officials as they prepare documents for the HHS 
Secretary's review, decision, and/or signature; (6) serves as the 
Agency's liaison with the HHS

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Office of the Secretary's Executive Secretariat on IHS program, policy, 
and special matters; (7) performs special writing assignments for the 
IHS Director; (8) maintains official records of the IHS Director's 
correspondence and conducts topic research of files, as needed; (9) 
oversees an electronic document handling system to assist in managing 
the timely processing of internal and external executive 
correspondence; (10) conducts training to promote conformance by IHS HQ 
and Area staff to the IHS Executive Correspondence Guidelines; (11) 
tracks reports required by Congress; and (12) manages the IHS review of 
non-IHS regulatory documents that impact the delivery of health 
services to Indians.

Public Affairs Staff (GAC5)

    (1) Serves as the principal advisor for strategic planning on 
communications, media relations, and public affairs policy formulation 
and implementation; ensures IHS policy is consistent with directives 
from the HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; (2) provides 
leadership and advocacy to establish and implement policy for internal 
and external dissemination of Agency information intended for public 
release or employee and stakeholder information; (3) serves as the 
central office for technical guidance and assistance to IHS staff for 
the development of public affairs and media communication; (4) 
coordinates public affairs activities with other public and private 
sector organizations; (5) coordinates the clearance of IHS public 
relations activities, campaigns, and communications materials; (6) 
represents the IHS in discussions regarding policy and public affairs 
initiatives/implementation; (7) provides technical assistance and 
advice relative to the effect public affairs initiatives/implementation 
would have on the IHS; collaborates with the Division of Regulatory and 
Policy Coordination, for review and response to media requests received 
under the Freedom of Information Act, and ensures the security of IHS 
documents used in such responses that contain sensitive and/or 
confidential information; and (8) serves as the IHS liaison office for 
press and public affairs activities with HHS, IHS Area Offices, media 
and other external organizations and representatives.

P. Benjamin Smith
Deputy Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00183 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4166-14-P
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