2012-24032. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Title: Tracking of the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project (EHSREP) Sample.

OMB No.: 0970-0388.

Description: The Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project (EHSREP) is a longitudinal study originally designed to meet the 1994 requirement for a national evaluation of the Early Head Start program. Child and family assessments were conducted when children were 14 months old, 24 months old, 36 months old, in the spring prior to kindergarten entry, and again in the spring of the sixth year of formal schooling (5th grade for most children). Today, children of the EHSREP are approximately 14-17 years of age (depending on their age at the time of enrollment in the study).

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to track the children/families who participated in the EHSREP until the children reach 18 years of age. The purpose of tracking these participants is to maintain up-to-date contact information for the children/families in the event that ACF determines that a future follow-up to the EHSREP will take place.

Respondents: Participants in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Annual number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total annual burden hours
Tracking Interview	2,533	1	.25	633

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 633.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and 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 Planning, Research and Evaluation, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: OPRE Reports Clearance Officer. Email address: [e-mail]. 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.

Steven M. Hanmer,

Reports Clearance Officer.