2023-25133. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Public Comment Request; of the Independent Living Services (ILS) Program Performance Report (PPR) 0985-0043

AGENCY:

Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services.

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 (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 of a Currently Approved Information Collection (IC Ext) solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the Administration on Disabilities' Independent Living Services Program Performance Report.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. (EST) or postmarked by January 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: Peter Nye at [e-mail]. Submit written comments on the collection of information to Administration for Community Living, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attention: Peter Nye.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter Nye, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201, (202) 795–7606 or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA, 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 as and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. The PRA 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 using automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

The Independent Living Services (ILS) program provides financial assistance, through formula grants, to all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and US Virgin Islands for 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 Part B of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act). Funds are also made available for the provision of training and technical assistance to Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs). The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires three IL program reports: (1) State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL); (2) ILS Program Performance Report; and (3) Center for Independent Living (CIL) Program Performance Report.

This request is for the ILS PPR, which is submitted annually by the SILC and DSE in every state, territory, and outlying area that receives Part B funds and in the District of Columbia.

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.

ACL will adhere to best practices for collection of all demographic information in accordance with OMB guidance—including, but not limited to guidance specific to the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) items that support alignment with Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, Executive Order 14075 on Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals, and Executive Order 13988 on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. Understanding these disparities can and should lead to improved service delivery for ACL's programs and populations.

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:

The PPR Instrument and Instructions will be sent to representatives of fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and US Virgin Islands. The approximate burden for completion will be thirty-six hours per respondent, which includes time to review the instructions, read the questions, and complete responses. This results in a total survey burden estimate of 2,016 hours.

Respondent/data collection activity	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Hours per response	Annual burden hours
Survey	56	1	36	2016

Dated: November 8, 2023.

Alison Barkoff,

Principal Deputy Administrator for the Administration for Community Living, performing the duties of the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary for Aging.