FEDERAL AGENCIES
Welcome to Citizens Interest's Federal Agency resource tab. This page is designed to educate you regarding the activities taking place at each of the federal agencies, including their long-term strategic goals.
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Learning about each agency and their roles and responsibilities, is one of the first steps in becoming a successful advocate. In order to effect change, you must know the appropriate agency, office, or individual(s) to approach.
AGENCIES
The Administration for Children & Families promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities through a range of educational and supportive programs in partnership with states, tribes, and community organizations.
The Administration for Community Living increases access to community support and resources for the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities.
ASPR leads the nation's medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within HHS and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry prevents exposure to toxic substances and the adverse health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of environmental pollution.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services combines the oversight of the Medicare program, the federal portion of the Medicaid program and State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and related quality assurance activities.
The Food and Drug Administration, part of the Public Health Service, ensures that food is safe, pure, and wholesome; human and animal drugs, biological products, and medical devices are safe and effective; and electronic products that emit radiation are safe.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the Public Health Service, provides health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.
The National Institutes of Health, part of the Public Health Service, supports biomedical and behavioral research with the United States and abroad, conducts research in its own laboratories and clinics, trains promising young researchers, and promotes collecting and sharing medical knowledge.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the Public Health Service, improves access and reduces barriers to high quality, effective programs and services for individuals who suffer from or are at risk for addictive and mental disorders, as well as for their families and communities.
SECRETARIES
ASA provides leadership for HHS departmental management, including human resource policy and departmental operations.
ASFR provides advice and guidance to the Secretary on budget, financial management, acquisition policy and support, grants management, and small business programs. It also directs and coordinates these activities throughout the Department.
ASH advises on the nation's public health and oversees HHS' U.S. Public Service (PHS) for the Secretary.
ASL provides advice on legislation and facilitates communication between the Department and Congress.
ASPE advises on policy development and contributes to policy coordination, legislation development, strategic planning, policy research, evaluation, and economic analysis.
ASPA provides centralized leadership and guidance on public affairs for HHS' staff, operating divisions, and regional offices. APSA also administers the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
BOARD
DAB provides impartial review of disputed legal decisions involving HHS.
OFFICES
The Department of Defense (DoD) is concerned directly with the activities and the United States Armed Forces. The DoD provides the military personnel, arms, and civilian support staff needed defend the nation. The DoD provides training, logistics and tactical support to the military in addition to conducting research and development of the tools, equipment, technology, arms and munitions that the warfighter needs. The Department of Defense is the largest employer in the world.
AGENCY
DARPA comprises approximately 220 government employees in six technical offices, including nearly 100 program managers, who together oversee about 250 research and development programs. DARPA works within an innovation ecosystem that includes academic, corporate and governmental partners, with a constant focus on the Nation’s military Services, which work with DARPA to create new strategic opportunities.
OFFICE
Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is the senior official responsible for the acceleration of the DoD’s adoption of data, analytics, and AI to generate decision advantage across, from the boardroom to the battlefield. is building a strong foundation for data, analytic, and AI-enabled capabilities to be developed and fielded at scale. Part of this foundation is ensuring the Department has the necessary people, platforms, and processes needed to continuously provide business leaders and warfighters with agile solutions. The CDAO will perform several critical functions in close coordination with the Services, Joint Staff, CIO, USD (R&E), and other digital leaders:
Lead the Department’s strategy and policy on data, analytics, and AI adoption, as well as govern and oversee efforts across the Department.
Enable the development of digital and AI-enabled solutions across the Department, while also selectively scaling proven solutions for enterprise and joint use cases.
Provide a sophisticated cadre of technical experts that serve as a de facto data and digital response force able to address urgent crises and emerging challenges with state of the art digital solutions.he CDAO’s functions reflect the rising strategic value of information to decision-making and advanced capabilities from the boardroom to the battlefield. The CDAO’s form reflects the leadership the Department needs to accelerate its progress in harnessing information within a rapidly changing technology landscape.
The CDAO achieved full operating capability on 1 June 2022 and is expected to have an immediate impact by providing several concrete deliverables this year.
Review and more tightly integrate the Department’s policy, strategy, and governance of data, analytics, AI, to include an integrated Data, Analytics and AI Strategy as well as maturing a Responsible AI Ecosystem.
Provide the enterprise-level infrastructure and services that enable efforts to advance adoption of data, analytics, and AI, to include an expanded and more accessible enterprise data repository and data catalogue with designated authoritative data sources, common data models for enterprise and joint use cases, as well associated coding and algorithms to serve as a “public good” as Department stakeholders put data on the offensive.
Solve and scale enterprise and joint use cases, including executive analytics to measure progress on implementation of the forthcoming 2022 National Defense Strategy, a common operational picture for Combatant Commanders from the operational to the strategic level as part of the Advancing Data and AI (ADA) initiative, and better tools and analytics to assist the Department’s senior leaders and Combatant Commanders with dynamic campaigning.
SUB-OFFICE
The Defense Digital Service (DDS) is a team of software and data engineers, data scientists, product managers and user research designers, within the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.
CENTER
The Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) is the U.S. Army's force modernization proponent for Cyberspace Operations, Signal/Communications Networks and Information Services, and Electronic Warfare (EW), and is responsible for developing related doctrine, organizational, training, materiel, leadership/education, personnel, and facility solutions. A major aspect of the CCoE's mission is the training, education, and development of world-class, highly skilled Signal, Cyber, and EW professionals supporting operations at the strategic, operational, and tactical level.
TASK FORCE
BOARD
ARB issues agency decisions in cases arising worker protection laws, including whistleblower and public contract laws.
OFFICES
The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) serves to advance the Secretary’s mission by educating policymakers in Washington, throughout state and local governments, and in Tribal Nations about Department of Labor priorities. OCIA assists the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, agency heads, and departmental staff to develop effective programs and strategies to achieve the Department's legislative goals and objectives. OCIA also coordinates with Departmental leadership to educate policymakers about the Department's programs and federal labor issues.
At the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), we protect workers, promote diversity and enforce the law. OFCCP holds those who do business with the federal government (contractors and subcontractors) responsible for complying with the legal requirement to take affirmative action and not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discharging or otherwise discriminating against applicants or employees who inquire about, discuss or disclose their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) conducts audits to review the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and integrity of all DOL programs and operations, including those performed by its contractors and grantees. This work is conducted in order to determine whether: the programs and operations are in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations; DOL resources are efficiently and economically being utilized; and DOL programs achieve their intended results. The OIG also conducts criminal, civil, and administrative investigations into alleged violations of federal laws relating to DOL programs, operations, and personnel. In addition, the OIG conducts criminal investigations to combat the influence of labor racketeering and organized crime in the nation’s labor unions in three areas: employee benefit plans, labor-management relations, and internal union affairs.
The mission of the Civil Rights Center (CRC) is to promote justice and equal opportunity by acting with impartiality and integrity in administering and enforcing various civil rights laws. These laws protect: ndividuals who apply to, participate in, work for, or come into contact with programs and activities that are conducted by or receive financial assistance from DOL, or, under certain circumstances, from other Federal agencies. We carry out this mission by investigating and adjudicating discrimination complaints, conducting compliance reviews, providing technical assistance and training, and developing and publishing civil rights regulations, policies, and guidance. If you think that you are a member of one of the groups that we protect or entities we serve, we encourage you to read on to learn whether and how we can assist you.
The OWCP administers four major disability compensation programs that provide wage replacement benefits, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation and other benefits to certain workers or their dependents who experience work-related injury or occupational disease.
OFFICES
VHA is the nation's largest provider of graduate medical education and a major contributor to medical and scientific research.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a variety of benefits and services to Service members, Veterans, and their families.
To serve veterans and the public by conducting meaningful independent oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs by performing audits, inspections, investigations, and reviews that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ programs and services
Every Member of Congress represents Veterans, survivors and caregivers and has a VA-presence in their district and state. The Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs is the central point in for the Department on all matters involving the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and is the chief liaison on all engagement and interaction with Members of Congress, Committees of jurisdiction, and their offices as well as maintaining responsive and effective communications. With offices located both at the Department’s central office and on Capitol Hill, this webpage is an online tool to share resources with Congressional partners on areas of interest within the Department and ensure accessibility of information to connect with a member of the team.
SECRETARY
Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for all relations between VA and international, state, county, municipal and tribal governments. The primary function of the office is to provide strategic advice, guidance and information about VA to foster and enhance government partnerships. Acts as the liaison between VA and the White House to further the state and local policy. Manages collaboration with Federal, state, county, municipal, tribal, insular and international governments and faith-based leaders. The Executive Director for Intergovernmental Affairs has management oversight of the Office of Tribal Government Relations, the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiative and the Office of State and Local Government Affairs.
PROGRAM
As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, VA is launching a new electronic health record (EHR) system to store and track patient medical information, with full implementation across all VA facilities scheduled for completion by 2028. Through this effort, known as the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program, VA is implementing one of the most advanced EHRs in the country.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) enforces the law of the United States and works to ensure the law is enforced fairly and impartially. The DoJ provides leadership in creating federal policy to limit crime and ensure laws and punishments are just. The DoJ is equivalent to the Interior Ministries in other countries.
OFFICES
The Division's mission is to promote competition in the U.S. economy through enforcement of, improvements to, and education about antitrust laws and principles.
BJA’s mission is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support state, local, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities. BJA works with communities, governments, and nonprofit organizations to reduce crime, recidivism, and unnecessary confinement, and promote a safe and fair criminal justice system.
The Civil Division represents the United States in any civil or criminal matter within its scope of responsibility – protecting the United States Treasury, ensuring that the federal government speaks with one voice in its view of the law, preserving the intent of Congress, and advancing the credibility of the government before the courts.
The Division enforces the laws prohibiting discrimination in education, employment, credit, housing, public accommodations and facilities, voting, and certain federally funded and conducted programs.
The COPS Office is responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.
The Department of Energy focuses on all things nuclear. DOEs concern ranges from enacting rules and regulations production, disposal, and handling of nuclear material to managing the nations nuclear weapons. The DOE also manages more placid energy issues including energy conservation, energy research, and energy production. The Department of Energy even focuses on some non-energy related projects including research for the Hunan Genome Project.
OFFICES
View the state energy office and organization websites to find information on energy policies, programs, and financial incentives.
U.S. leadership in critical and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, quantum, and microelectronics are key to enabling economic prosperity and our national security. These technologies will be a major source of new discoveries and breakthroughs, strengthen our ability to counter national security threats, and increase access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The mission of the Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies is to leverage capabilities and expertise across the Department of Energy and its 17 National Laboratories to sustain and extend U.S. leadership in technology in support of DOE’s energy, science, and security mission. The Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies will focus collective efforts across the Department to: (1) Amplify DOE expertise in critical and emerging technology and leverage these capabilities to solve critical science, energy, and security challenges facing the Nation; (2) Coordinate DOE equities in critical and emerging technologies across diverse program portfolios, including the DOE National Labs, to support and inform policy making; (3) Develop partnerships with industry and academia to advance breakthroughs and accelerate integration of technologies into the U.S. commercial sector.
The Office of Science is the steward of 10 of the 17 DOE laboratories. The DOE laboratories comprise a preeminent federal research system, developing unique, often multidisciplinary, scientific capabilities beyond the scope of academic and industrial institutions, to benefit the Nation’s researchers and national strategic priorities. The Office of Science manages its research portfolio through seven program offices: