LIHEAP IM 2010-8 Staffing Changes in the Division of Energy Assistance
| Transmittal No. LIHEAP-IM-2010-8 |
Date: May 11, 2010
|
|
TO:
|
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) GRANTEES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES |
|
SUBJECT:
|
Staffing Changes in the Division of Energy Assistance |
|
RELATED REFERENCES: |
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law (P.L.) 97-35), as amended. |
|
PURPOSE: |
To inform LIHEAP grantees about administrative changes in the Division of Energy Assistance and revised staff contact information. |
|
Content:
|
The Division of Energy Assistance (DEA) is pleased to announce the following personnel changes affecting the management of the LIHEAP program Charlotte Abney has assumed supervisory duties as chief of the Energy Policy and Evaluation Branch. Charlotte brings a wealth of knowledge to the LIHEAP program. She has served in a number of leadership roles and her expertise is regularly sought and relied upon. During her career in HHS, Charlotte worked in financial management, grants administration, policy, and program planning and implementation. She served on a former HHS Secretary’s Initiative to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and President Clinton’s Presidential Taskforce for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities. She participated in the HHS Woman’s Management Training Initiative, where she attended a year long supervisory training course and participated in developmental assignments in the Office of Legislation and Policy and the Office of Personnel Management. Charlotte feels the highlight of her career occurred when the National Energy Assistance Directors Association recognized her for her commitment to the LIHEAP program and the people it serves. The Energy Policy and Evaluation Branch (EPEB) develops guidelines and policies to be followed by LIHEAP grantees (States, Territories, and Tribes and Tribal Organizations). The Branch develops and recommends policy positions on legislative and budgetary issues and develops implementing regulations on LIHEAP issues enacted in legislation. The Branch identifies and develops research and evaluation priorities, and assesses the impact of research and evaluation findings and statistical data in terms of program impact and direction. The Branch also develops, collects, analyzes, and disseminates statistical information on LIHEAP grantee programs, eligible and recipient home energy consumption and expenditures, fuel usage, housing and demographic characteristics, and State median income estimates. The Branch calculates grantee allotments, updates an allocation formula annually, conducts annual surveys, prepares an annual report to Congress from the Secretary, and works on efforts to improve program performance through identified measures, goals and outcomes. Lauren Christopher has assumed supervisory duties as chief of the Energy Program Operations Branch. Lauren has been a valuable asset to the LIHEAP program since joining DEA in 2006. Her knowledge and skills have allowed her to take on a number of leadership responsibilities in the time she has been here, most notably working with States on the performance measures workgroups. She brings with her more than ten years of public sector service at both the Federal and local levels, including as a grants policy specialist for ACF and a graduate of the HHS Emerging Leaders Program. Lauren also holds an M.P.P. and is a licensed attorney. The Energy Program Operations Branch (EPOB) reviews annual applications and amendments, conducts annual on-site compliance reviews of state and tribal programs, provides the ACF financial management office with grantee information necessary to issue grants and resolve audit issues; and cooperates with EPEB staff on the investigation of complaints. The Branch provides assistance to LIHEAP grantees in developing energy program policies and operational procedures; evaluates the Grantees' compliance with their policies and operations and with federal statutory and regulatory requirements; and provides support in developing and implementing program improvements. The Branch also assists grantees and other public and private organizations by providing training and technical assistance in areas related to home energy. Attachment 1 provides a revised organizational chart for the Division managers and staff. Attachment 2 provides DEA telephone and email contact information. Thank you for your cooperation and support for Charlotte and Lauren as they transition into their new LIHEAP responsibilities. ATTACHMENTS: (1) Organizational Chart for the Division of Energy Assistance (2) Division of Energy Assistance Staff Contact Information
/s/ |