2018-22751. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Public Comment Request; Independent Living Services Program Performance Report (0985-0043)

AGENCY:

Administration for Community Living, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed collection of information listed above. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish a 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 proposed Extension with Changes of a Currently Approved Collection (ICR Rev) solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the Independent Living Services (ILS) program under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 701, et seq.

DATES:

Comments on the information collection request must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. (EST) or postmarked by December 18, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the information collection request to: Peter Nye at [e-mail]. Submit written comments on the collection of information to Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201, Attention: Peter Nye.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter Nye, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201, [phone] or [e-mail].

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 requests 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, ACL is publishing a notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.

With respect to the following collection of information, ACL invites comments on our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including:

(1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of ACL's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) the accuracy of ACL's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine burden estimates;

(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.

In the context of ACL, IL programs are supported through funding authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (The Act). Title VII, chapter 1 of the Act states the current purpose of the program is to “promote a philosophy of independent living including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.”

The ILS program provides financial assistance, through formula grants, to states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and outlying areas for providing, expanding, and improving the provision of IL services. The Designated State Entity (DSE) is the agency that, on behalf of the state, receives, accounts for, and disburses funds received under Subchapter B of the Act. Funds are also made available for the provisions of training and technical assistance to SILCs.

The Act of 1973 requires three IL program reports: (1) State Plan for Independent Living, (2) ILS PPR, and (3) Centers for Independent Living PPR. The ILS PPR and CIL PPR were previously combined into one submission. However, for the purposes of this data collection, the ILS PPR and CIL PPR are being submitted separately because they are separate collections of different information from different parties. Separating these PRA processes reduces confusion and increases the Independent Living Administration's ability to identify issues specific to DSEs and SILCs. This request is for the ILS PPR, which is submitted annually by the Statewide Independent Living Council and DSE in every state that receives Subchapter B funds. The ILS PPRs are used by ACL to assess grantees' compliance with title VII of the Act, with 45 CFR part 1329 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and with applicable provisions of the HHS Regulations at 45 CFR part 75. The ILS PPR serves as the primary basis for ACL's monitoring activities in fulfillment of its responsibilities under sections 706 and 722 of the Act. The PPR is also used by ACL to design CIL and SILC training and technical assistance programs authorized by section 721 of the Act.

The current version of the ILS PPR that ILA is requesting an extension for was approved by OMB, but will expire on December 31, 2018. ILA plans to publish a revised ILS program data collection instrument and instructions prior to the expiration of the extension request.

The proposed data collection tools may be found on the ACL website for review at https://www.acl.gov/​about-acl/​public-input.

Estimated Program Burden

ACL estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: Fifty-six jurisdictions—specifically, the fifty states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas—will each complete ILS PPRs annually, and it will take an estimated 35 hours per jurisdiction per ILS PPR. The 56 jurisdictions combined will take an estimated 1,960 hours per year to complete ILS PPRs. This burden estimate is based on what DSEs and SILCs have told ILA about how long filling out ILS PPRs took in previous reporting years.

Respondent/data collection activity	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Hours per response	Annual burden hours
SILCs and DSEs	56	1 (for each SILC and DSE combined)	35	1,960
Total	56	1	35	1,960

Dated: October 9, 2018.

Mary Lazare,

Principal Deputy Administrator.