02-1660. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the “Corporation”), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.

Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its proposed AmeriCorps Attrition Overview Study. Copies of the information collection requests can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and,
• 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 submissions of responses.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section by March 25, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to: Corporation for National and Community Service, Attn. William Ward, Department of Research and Policy Development, 9th Floor, 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Ward, [phone], ext. 375.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

AmeriCorps Attrition Overview Study

I. Background

Each year, the Corporation collects and reports on enrollment, service completion, and attrition of AmeriCorps participants. Attrition rates for participants in all AmeriCorps programs averaged 28 percent for programs years 1994-1998. As a maturing service organization, the Corporation needs to examine the AmeriCorps programs for attrition trends. An analysis of data on attrition will help the Corporation revise strategies of program development, recruitment, training, and supervision in order to reduce the rate of attrition.

II. Current Action

The Corporation seeks to conduct an in-depth study of the attrition patterns of its AmeriCorps*State and National, AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*NCCC programs. This study will entail telephone interviews of approximately 30 minutes in length with 1000 former AmeriCorps members. It will provide indicators of program success, differences among programs in retaining participants, individual characteristics of participants who tend to drop out, and combinations of member and program characteristics that appear to work well or work poorly.

Type of Review: New collection.

Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Title: AmeriCorps Attrition Overview Survey.

OMB Number: None.

Agency Number: None.

Affected Public: Former AmeriCorps members.

Total Respondents: 1,000.

Frequency: One time.

Average Time Per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 500 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: January 17, 2002.

David Reingold,

Director, Department of Research and Policy Development.