2010-27836. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Proposed Projects

Title: Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System for title IV-B and title IV-E (AFCARS).

OMB No.: 0980-0267.

Description: Section 479 of title IV-E of the Social Security Act (the Act) directs States to establish and implement an adoption and foster care reporting system. Federal regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 sets forth the requirements of section 479 of the Social Security Act for the collection of uniform, reliable information on children who are under the responsibility of the State title IV-B/IV-E agency for placement, care, and adoption. The respondents are child welfare agencies in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The data collected will inform State/Federal policy decisions, program management, and responses to Congressional and Departmental inquiries. Specifically, the data are used for short/long-term budget projections, trend analysis, child and family service reviews, and to target areas for improved technical assistance. The data will provide information about foster care placements, adoptive parents, length of time in care, delays in termination of parental rights and placement for adoption.

Respondents: State Child Welfare Agencies.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
AFCARS	52	2	2,581	268,424
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours				268,424

In compliance with the requirements of Section 506(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 Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail 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.

Dated: October 29, 2010.

Robert Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.