E6-351. 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 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 the Office of Management and Budget (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 [phone].

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: Voluntary Partner Surveys in the Health Resources and Services Administration—(OMB No. 0915-0212—Extension

In response to Executive Order 12862, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) conducts voluntary customer surveys of its “partners” to assess strengths and weaknesses in program services. An extension of a generic approval is being requested from OMB to conduct these customer or partner satisfaction surveys. HRSA partners are typically State or local governments, health care facilities, health care consortia, health care providers, and researchers.

Partner surveys to be conducted by HRSA might include, for example, brief surveys of grantees to determine satisfaction with a technical assistance contractor, or in-class evaluation forms completed by providers who receive training from HRSA grantees, to measure satisfaction with the training experience. Results of these surveys will be used to plan and redirect resources and efforts as needed to improve service. Focus groups may also be used to potential method to obtain input on services and training. Focus groups, in-class evaluation forms, mail surveys, and telephone surveys are expected to be the preferred methodologies.

The estimated response burden is as follows:

Instrument	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Hours per response	Total hour burden
In-class evaluations	40,000	1	.05	2,000
Surveys	12,000	1	.25	3,000
Focus groups	50	1	1.5	75
Total	52,050	1	.10	5,075

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 10-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: January 9, 2006.

Tina M. Cheatham,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.