[Federal Register: September 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 169)] [Notices] [Page 47847-47848] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr01se99-123] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the [[Page 47848]] Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1891. Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Proposed Project: Guidance and Forms for the Title V Application/ Annual Report, OMB No. 0915-0172: Extension The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) proposes to revise the Guidance and Forms for the Application and Annual Report for the Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant Program. The guidance is used annually by the 50 States and 9 jurisdictions in making application for Block Grants under Title V of the Social Security Act, and in preparing the required annual report. The proposed revisions follow and build on extensive modifications made to the guidance and forms in 1997. The proposed revisions are of two types: (1) editorial and technical revisions based on the experiences of the States and jurisdictions in using the guidance and forms in 1998 and 1999; and, (2) the addition of a standard set of measures to be used in conducting the formal needs assessment required by Title V every five years. This needs assessment will be required of each State and jurisdiction in FY 2000. The addition of the core set of measures for use in conducting the formal needs assessment follows discussions with State Maternal and Child Health Directors over the last two years. The changes incorporated in the 1997 revisions have been reflected in major changes in the Title V program, with much more emphasis on accountability and performance measurement as part of the performance partnership concept on which those changes were built. The inclusion now of standard measures for all States and jurisdictions to use in conducting the five-year needs assessment is a natural progression in the development of the Federal-State partnership process. Following approval of the 1997 revisions, HRSA developed and instituted an automated electronic data collection and reporting system, the Title V Electronic Reporting Package (Title V ERP). The ERP has greatly reduced the burden on the States and jurisdictions, because it provides for automatic calculations of ratios, rates, and percentages, carries data over from year-to year, and assures that data used in multiple tables are entered only once. The ERP also provides for text entry, and facilitates the orderly printing of tables, text, and required appendices. As a result, even with the additional data that were incorporated, the expectation is that there will be a 33% reduction in the annual burden from previous levels. The estimated response burden is as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Responses per Burden hours Total burden Type of form respondents respondent per response hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Application and Annual Report, with needs assessment*: States...................................... 50 1 450 22500 Jurisdictions............................... 9 1 240 2160 Application and Annual Report, without needs assessment*: States...................................... 50 1 330 16500 Jurisdictions............................... 9 1 133 1197 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * The Application and Annual Report, with needs assessment, will be submitted in FY 2000. The Application and Annual Report, without needs assessment, will be submitted in FY 2001 and FY 2002. The average burden for the next three years is 20,018 hours. The HRSA revision plan calls for draft versions of the new guidance to be sent to all Maternal and Child Health Directors in September, 1999. Copies will also be available to all other interested parties who request one from: Peter C. Van Dyck, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Administrator for Maternal and Child Health, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Room 18-05, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. His phone number is (301) 443-2170. Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Dated: August 26, 1999. Jane Harrison, Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination. [FR Doc. 99-22802 Filed 8-31-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-15-U