DHHS Directive Number II-16

Title:	Delegation of Authority to the Director, Office of Policy and Planning
Effective Date:	January 1, 2002
Authority:	G.S. 143B-10(a)

Purpose

The purpose of this Directive is to delegate, clarify and specifically confirm certain authorities of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to the Director of the Office of Policy and Planning to enable that office to fulfill its named responsibilities. This position shall report to the Secretary through the Deputy Secretary.

The establishment of the Office of Policy and Planning was mandated by the General Assembly to assist the Department of Health and Human Services in providing coordinated policy development and strategic planning for the state's health and human services systems.

Specifically, the General Assembly directs the Office of Policy and Planning to: (1) Coordinate the development of departmental policies, plans, and rules, in consultation with the divisions of the Department; (2) Develop a departmental process for the development and implementation of new policies, plans, and rules; (3) Develop a departmental process for the review of existing policies, plans, and rules to ensure that departmental policies, plans, and rules are relevant; (4) Coordinate and review all departmental policies before dissemination to ensure that all policies are well-coordinated within and across all programs; (5) Implement ongoing strategic planning that integrates budget, personnel, and resources with the mission and operational goals of the Department; and (6) Review, disseminate, monitor and evaluate best practice models.

The Office of Policy and Planning's responsibilities shall include the review of departmental operations and process, and shall make recommendations to the Secretary for any changes in those operations or process deemed appropriate for improving client services and improving efficiency.

Delegation of Authority

As provided in G.S. 143B-10(a), the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services delegates the following functions and responsibilities concerning management and administration to the Director of the Office of Policy and Planning, subject to state and departmental policy:

1. The functions of management, related to the Office of Policy and Planning, as defined in G.S. 143B-10 which include: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, evaluating, reporting, and budgeting.



2. The Office of Policy and Planning, under the direction of the Deputy Secretary or the Deputy's designee, shall have authority to access any information and data from departmental divisions, investigate and research issues, and perform other activities necessary to fulfill the Office's named responsibilities.



3. In accordance with the General Assembly's instructions, the Office of Policy and Planning shall have the authority to direct the divisions, offices, and programs of the Department to conduct periodic reviews of policies, plans, and rules, and shall advise the Secretary when it is determined to be appropriate or necessary to modify, amend, or repeal departmental policies, plans, or rules.



4. The Office of Policy and Planning shall work in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Health and the Assistant Secretary for Long Term Care and Family Services with respect to any issues concerning the Department's health and family services agencies. Any reports or proposals developed by the Office of Policy and Planning impacting the Department's health and family services agencies shall be reviewed with the Assistant Secretary for Health and/or the Assistant Secretary for Long Term Care and Family Services prior to submission to the Secretary.



5. The Director shall be responsible for ensuring that the Division is familiar with and adheres to the Department's Policy and Procedures Manual.

This granting of authority shall not deprive the Secretary from performing, in lieu of the Office of Policy and Planning, any of the acts set forth above. This delegation of authority may be amended or withdrawn by the Secretary at any time and without notice. This granting of authority shall not apply to any actions which by law, state policy, or Governor's Executive Order, may only by executed by the Secretary.

	APPROVED
	__________________________
	Carmen Hooker Odom, Secretary
	Department of Health and Human Services