2017-00815. Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and (e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to [phone]. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

Understanding the Needs, Challenges, Opportunities, Vision and Emerging Roles in Environmental Health (UNCOVER EH)—New—National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Background and Brief Description

The environmental health (EH) workforce is an essential component of the public health workforce. According to recent health department surveys, EH professionals are employed at approximately 85% of local health departments, 81% of state health departments, and 30% of tribal health departments. Describing and characterizing the EH workforce is essential to identifying gaps in staffing, training, and ultimately ensuring EH professionals are prepared to meet future challenges. Because EH professionals play a crucial role in decreasing illness in our communities and protecting people from traditional and emerging environmental factors that may adversely affect human health, the workforce challenges facing this critical component of the public health system are a concern for public and community health. CDC's goal is to create a strong, sustained, and prepared EH workforce to meet today's challenges and improve the health and safety of all. In order to meet this goal, it is necessary to first describe and characterize the EH workforce to assess their needs, challenges, and opportunities.

This is a one-time information collection designed to thoroughly describe the health department EH workforce on: (1) The current supply of EH professionals; (2) EH workforce demographics and professional roles; (3) gaps in current EH education and competencies and training needs; and (4) critical skills and resources needed to meet the evolving and emerging EH issues and challenges. This information will benefit the government and other entities by providing essential data to inform and support workforce development activities and initiatives and understand areas of practice and where gaps may exist in capacity to address current EH issues and future challenges.

The survey will be offered to the estimated 20,000 EH professionals working within health departments. They will be enumerated and recruited by identifying a point of contact in each state, local, tribal, and territorial health department from whom a roster of EH professionals will be requested. A list of respondents and their business email addresses will be generated and used for recruitment and survey administration. Any contact information collected will be related to the respondents' role in the organization. Participation will be voluntary. We expect approximately 80 percent of the estimated 20,000 EH professionals (16,000 respondents) to respond to the survey.

Data will be collected one time from a census of members of the public health department EH workforce using a web-based survey instrument. The UNCOVER EH Survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete per respondent. There will be no cost to respondents other than their time. The requested time burden is 8,269 hours.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondents	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hrs.)
Health Department EH Administrative Staff	Health Department Roster	3,231	1	5/60
Health Department EH Professionals	UNCOVER EH Survey	16,000	1	30/60

Leroy A. Richardson,

Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.