[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61621-61622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21249]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Statement 
of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    Part A, Office of the Secretary, Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human

[[Page 61622]]

Services (HHS) is being amended at Chapter AP, ``Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (OASPA),'' as last amended at 58 
FR 52969-02, dated October 13, 1993. The proposed change is to make the 
following changes in the Office of the Assistant Secretary Public 
Affairs (Media): revise the functional statement for the News Division 
(APBI); and establish a new Web Communications Division (APB4). The 
changes are described below:
    I. Under Part A, Chapter AP, Section AP.10 Organization, delete in 
its entirety and replace with the following:
    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, consists of the following 
organization:

<bullet> The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
<bullet> The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public 
Affairs (Policy and Strategy)
    --Communications Services Division
    --Special Outreach Division
<bullet> The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public 
Affairs (Medid)
    --News Division
    --Speech and Editorial Division
    --FOIA/Privacy Act Division
    --Web Communiations Division

    II. Under Section AP.20 Functions, paragraph C.1, ``News 
Division,'' delete in its entirety, and replace with the following:
    C.1 News Division (APB1)--Plans, directs and coordinates the 
issuance of public information from HHS to the press and broadcast 
media.
    Prepares news releases and other news material for the Secretary 
and other top Department officials. Reviews and clears all news 
releases and other news materials prepared by HHS components.
    Identifies news opportunities for the Secretary.
    Makes recommendations concerning press releases on upcoming 
publication of regulations or other actions.
    Identifies likely media questions for news conferences and 
interviews, assists in preparing background briefings for encounters 
with the press.
    Briefs the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Chief of Staff, in 
conjunction with other departmental experts for all media events.
    Responds to press queries, either directly or by steering reporters 
to appropriate public affairs personnel in Operating Division press 
offices. Reviews for approval all media interview requests received by 
HHS components.
    Coordinates press conferences for the Secretary. Acts as a liaison 
for reporters requesting interviews and for newspaper editorial boards 
wishing to meet with the Secretary.
    Monitors major national media, and selected local media when 
appropriate, and distributes articles of interest throughout the day to 
key staff.
    Leads the planning, development and implementation of emergency 
incident communications strategies and activities for the Department.
    III. Under section AP.20 Functions, at the end paragraph C.3, add 
the following new paragraph:
    C.4 Web Communications Division (APB4): Leads the review of HHS Web 
information content, presentation, uses and technologies, and 
recommends and/or implements web-based information policy, guidance and 
tools for the Department, as appropriate.
    Leads the review of the content of all proposed Department-wide and 
OS-level sites to ensure they are consistent with Departmental policies 
and goals.
    Leads the development of Department Internet policy and public 
affairs issues as well as a development of a Department-wide policy on 
the creation and clearance of Web sites.
    Manages daily operations of the main HHS public Web site. Manages 
additional Office of the Secretary-level Web sites, as appropriate.
    Manages daily operations of the HHS intranet, and tools in support 
of HHS Web and intranet sites.

    Dated: October 5, 2005.
Joe W. Ellis,
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 05-21249 Filed 10-24-05; 8:45am]
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