Operating Divisions - Text Version
The agencies perform a wide variety of tasks and services, including research, public health, food and drug safety, health insurance, and many others, and extend grants and other funding.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
http://www.acf.hhs.gov
Mission: To promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.
ACF grant programs lead the Nation in strengthening economic independence and productivity and in enhancing quality of life for people across the life span.
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
http://www.hhs.gov/acl
Mission: To promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities and older adults and to help them to live at home with the supports they need while participating in communities that value their contributions.
ACL includes the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Office on Disability and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in a single agency, with enhanced policy and program support for both cross-cutting initiatives and efforts focused on the unique needs of individual groups such as children with developmental disabilities, adults with physical disabilities, or seniors, including seniors with Alzheimer's.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
http://www.ahrq.gov
Mission: To improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.
Information from AHRQ's research helps people make more informed decisions and improves the quality of health care services.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Mission: To serve the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease-related exposures to toxic substances.
ATSDR efforts prevent exposure to such substances, adverse human health effects, and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov
Mission: To promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
CDC strengthens existing public health infrastructure while working with partners throughout the Nation and the world.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
http://www.cms.gov
Mission: To ensure effective, up-to-date healthcare coverage and to promote quality care for beneficiaries.
CMS serves as the primary source of healthcare coverage for seniors and a large population of medically vulnerable individuals, and it acts as a catalyst for improvements in the availability and quality of health care for all Americans.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
http://www.fda.gov
Mission: To rigorously assure the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices, and the safety and security of our Nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
FDA advances the public health by helping to speed innovations and by assisting the public in getting the accurate, science-based information needed on medicines and foods to help prevent disease and improve health.
FDA also has responsibility for regulating the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
http://www.hrsa.gov
Mission: To improve health and achieve health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative programs.
HRSA is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.
Indian Health Service (IHS)
http://www.ihs.gov
Mission: To raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) to the highest level.
IHS provides comprehensive health services for AI/AN people, with opportunity for maximum tribal involvement in developing and managing programs to improve their health status and overall quality of life.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
http://www.nih.gov
Mission: To employ science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.
Through its 27 institutes and centers, NIH supports and conducts research, domestically and abroad, into the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of diseases. It also promotes the acquisition and dissemination of medical knowledge to health professionals and the public.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
http://www.samhsa.gov
Mission: To reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. SAMHSA accomplishes this mission by providing leadership, developing service capacity, communicating with the public, setting standards, and improving practice in communities and in primary and specialty care settings.
Office of the Secretary, Staff Divisions
The primary goal of these divisions is to provide leadership, direction, and policy and management guidance to the Department.
Immediate Office of the Secretary
Office of Health Reform (OHR)
Mission: To provide leadership in establishing policies, priorities, and objectives for the federal government’s comprehensive effort to improve access to health care, the quality of such care, and the sustainability of the healthcare system.
OHR coordinates closely with the White House Office of Health Reform to achieve its mission.
Office of the Deputy Secretary
http://www.hhs.gov/deputysecretary
Mission: To direct operations of the largest civilian department in the Federal Government.
Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA)
http://www.hhs.gov/intergovernmental
Mission: To facilitate communication regarding HHS initiatives as they relate to State, local, tribal, and U.S. territorial governments.
IGA serves the dual role of representing the state, local, tribal, and territorial perspective in the federal policy making process as well as clarifying the federal perspective to these governments.
Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA)
http://www.hhs.gov/asa
Mission: To help bring about improvements and effectiveness that can be achieved by structuring HHS as a united Department, in support of the Secretary's goals.
As the Senior Sustainability Officer, the ASA advises the Secretary on all aspects of administration and human resource management.
Program Support Center (PSC)
http://www.psc.gov
Mission: To provide a full range of support services to HHS and other Federal agencies, allowing them to focus on their core mission.
A component of ASA, the PSC is the provider of choice for quality and value in shared services—administrative operations, occupational health services, information technology support, financial management, and strategic acquisition services—across the Federal Government.
Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR)
http://www.hhs.gov/asfr
Mission: To provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on budget and financial management, and to provide for the direction and coordination of these activities throughout the Department. ASFR provides oversight of the administrative and financial organizations and activities of the Department, including production of the Department’s financial statements and the annual performance plan and report under GPRA.
Office of Recovery Act Coordination (ORAC)
http://www.hhs.gov/asfr/orac
Mission: To ensure HHS meets the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act, or ARRA) pertaining to formula (or mandatory) and discretionary grant funds that come to HHS for distribution.
A component of ASFR, ORAC coordinates and oversees all Recovery Act activities for the Department, including reporting, establishing, and tracking performance outcomes; mitigating risks; and providing information to the public.
Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
http://www.hhs.gov/oash
Mission: To provide senior professional leadership across HHS on cross-cutting public health and science initiatives and on population-based public health and clinical preventive services. ASH serves as the Secretary's primary advisor on matters involving the Nation's public health and oversees the USPHS. OASH comprises core public health offices and the Commissioned Corps, a uniformed service of more than 6,500 health professionals who serve at HHS and other Federal agencies.
Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL)
http://www.hhs.gov/asl
Mission: To advise the Secretary and the Department on congressional legislation and to facilitate communication between the Department and the Congress.
ASL informs the Congress of Departmental priorities, actions, grants, and contracts.
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
http://www.hhs.gov/aspe
Mission: To provide advice and support to the Secretary on the development and analysis of cross-cutting, population-based health and human services policies.
ASPE is responsible for major activities in policy coordination, development of legislation, strategic planning, policy research, program evaluation, and economic analysis.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
http://www.hhs.gov/aspa
Mission: To serve as the Secretary’s principal counsel on public affairs matters and to provide centralized leadership and guidance for public affairs activities within HHS.
ASPA coordinates media relations and public service information campaigns throughout the Department and manages the Freedom of Information process for the Department.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
http://www.hhs.gov/aspr
Mission: To serve as the Secretary’s principal advisory staff on matters related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
ASPR directs the Department’s emergency response activities, and it coordinates interagency activities related to emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population.
Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP)
http://www.hhs.gov/fbci
Mission: To create an environment within HHS that welcomes the participation of faith-based and community-based organizations as valued, essential partners assisting Americans in need. CFBNP leads the Department’s efforts to support partnerships with faith-based and community-based organizations to better serve individuals, families, and communities in need.
Departmental Appeals Board (DAB)
http://www.hhs.gov/dab
Mission: To provide the best possible dispute resolution services for the people who appear before the board, those who rely on the decisions, and the public.
DAB provides prompt, fair, and impartial dispute resolution services to parties in many different kinds of disputes involving components of the Department. DAB encourages the use of mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr
Mission: To promote and ensure that all people have equal access to, and the opportunity to participate in and receive services from all HHS-funded programs without facing unlawful discrimination, and that the privacy and security of their health information is protected. OCR investigates complaints, enforces rights, promulgates regulations, develops policy and provides technical assistance and public education to ensure understanding of and compliance with non-discrimination and health information privacy laws.
Through prevention and elimination of unlawful discrimination and by protecting the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information, OCR helps HHS carry out its overall mission of improving the health and well-being of all people affected by its many programs.
Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
http://www.hhs.gov/ogc
Mission: To advance the Department’s goal of protecting the health of all Americans and of providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
OGC is the legal team for the Department, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary and to the Department’s agencies and divisions.
Office of Global Affairs (OGA)
http://www.globalhealth.gov
Mission: To promote the health of the world’s population by advancing HHS global strategies and partnerships, thus serving the health of the people of the United States.
OGA represents HHS to other governments, other federal departments and agencies, international organizations, and the private sector on international and refugee health issues
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
http://oig.hhs.gov
Mission: To protect the integrity of HHS programs as well as the health and welfare of the beneficiaries of those programs.
By conducting independent and objective audits, evaluations, and investigations, OIG provides timely, useful, and reliable information and advice to Department officials, the Administration, the Congress, and the public.
Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA)
http://www.hhs.gov/omha
Mission: To administer the nationwide hearings and appeals for the Medicare program, and to ensure that the American people have equal access and opportunity to appeal and can exercise their rights for healthcare quality and access.
Under direct delegation from the Secretary, OMHA administers nationwide hearings for the Medicare program. The Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) within OMHA conduct impartial hearings and issue decisions on behalf of the Secretary on claims determination appeals involving Parts A, B, C, and D of Medicare. ALJs also issue decisions on Medicare entitlement and eligibility appeals.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
http://healthit.hhs.gov
Mission: To provide leadership for the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure— to improve the quality and efficiency of health care and the ability of consumers to manage their care and safety.
The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology serves as the Secretary’s principal advisor on the development, application, and use of health information technology in both the public and private healthcare sectors—technology that will reduce medical errors, improve quality, and produce greater value for healthcare expenditures.
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