2010-1909. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; State Program Report

AGENCY:

Administration on Aging, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to Title III and VII State Program Report.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by March 30, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: [e-mail]. Submit written comments on the collection of information to Administration on Aging, Office of Evaluation, Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Valerie Cook at 202-357-3583.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency request or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, AoA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document. With respect to the following collection of information, AoA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AoA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of AoA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) requires annual program performance reports from States. In compliance with this OAA provision, AoA developed a State Program Report (SPR) in 1996 as part of its National Aging Program Information System (NAPIS). The SPR collects information about how State Agencies on Aging expend their OAA funds as well as funding from other sources for OAA authorized supportive services. The SPR also collects information on the demographic and functional status of the recipients, and is a key source for AoA performance measurement. This collection includes minor revisions of the format from the 2006 approved version. The proposed revised version will be in effect for the FY 2011 reporting year and thereafter, while the current reporting, OMB Approval Number 0985-0008, will be extended to the end of the FY 2010 reporting cycle. The proposed FY 2011 version may be found on the AoA Web site link entitled Draft State Reporting Tool for Review available at http://www.aoa.gov/​AoARoot/​Program_​Results/​OAA_​Performance.aspx#national.

AoA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: 2,600 hours.

Dated: January 25, 2010.

Kathy Greenlee,

Assistant Secretary for Aging.