[Federal Register: January 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 17)]
[Notices]               
[Page 4109-4110]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27ja99-65]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

 
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Proposed Project:
Title: Family Preservation and Family Support (FP/FS) Services 
Implementation Study--State Level Data Collection
OMB No.: 0970-0137

    Description: The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA 
93) established title IV-B, subpart 2 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 62-628) to provide funds to states for the development of family 
preservation and family support programs and services. Subpart 2, 
Section 435 of OBRA 93 requires the Secretary of HHS to evaluate the 
effectiveness of programs carried out under the legislation. The 
Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, P.L. 105-89, reauthorizes the 
family preservation and family support programs and services and 
amended Section 431 [42 U.S.C. 639a] to add two new services: Time-
Limited Family Reunification Services and Adoption Promotion and 
Support Services.
    In this second phase of data collection, the five data collection 
instruments, which were used during the previous phase (1996-1999) will 
be used with minor changes to reflect the language and amendments of 
the 1997 reauthorization of the program. Each instrument is geared 
toward obtaining information from individuals/agencies who will have a 
slightly different perspective on the context, planning, and 
implementation of the FP/FS legislation. The data collection 
instruments will seek information on the programs and services funded, 
the goals of the planning process, populations targeted, reform efforts 
initiated, the relationship between family preservation, family support 
and child welfare, staffing and training, and information systems. Data 
collection on states planning and implementation experiences will be 
accomplished through semi-structured interviews with state officials 
and other key stakeholders who are knowledgeable about child welfare.
    Both qualitative and quantitative analyses will be completed to 
highlight the process states employ to implement the legislation 
coordinate with other funding sources, develop new systems, and improve 
service delivery systems. Data analyses also will focus on the impact 
of legislative changes on the state implementation of the program and 
comparisons of state implementation before and after the legislative 
reauthorization. Information obtained from data analyses will provide 
feedback to ACF in the determination of future policy guidance and the 
scope and nature of technical assistance to be provided to states. The 
information will also provide direct feedback to states concerning 
successful implementation strategies.
    Respondents: State, Local or Tribal government and Not-for-Profit 
Institutions.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                   Instrument                        Number of     responses per     hours per     Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent       response          hours
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Traditional Child Welfare Staff.................              40               1             .54           21.60
Program Coordinator.............................              10               1            1.00           10.00
Stakeholders....................................              80               1            1.00           80.00
Family Preservation Staff.......................              10               1             .75            7.50
Family Support Staff............................              10               1            1.00           10.00
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 129.10.
    In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and

[[Page 4110]]

Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the 
information collection described above. Copies of the proposed 
collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded 
by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Information Services, 370 L`Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be 
identified by the title of the information collection.
    The Department specifically requests comments 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) 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. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.

    Dated: January 21, 1999.
Bob Sargis,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-1860 Filed 1-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M