05-3023. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited 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) ways to enhance 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 the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Recruitment and Retention Assistance Application (OMB No. 0915-0230)—Revision

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC), managed by the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), HRSA, is committed to improving the health of the Nation's underserved by uniting communities in need with caring health professionals and by supporting communities' efforts to build better systems of care.

The Application for NHSC Recruitment and Retention Assistance submitted by sites or clinicians, requests information on the practice site, sponsoring agency, recruitment contact, staffing levels, service users, charges for services, employment policies, and fiscal management capabilities. Assistance in completing the application may be obtained through the appropriate State Primary Care Offices, State Primary Care Associations and NHSC contractors. The information on the application is used for determining eligibility of sites and to verify the need for NHSC providers. Sites must apply once every three years.

Estimates of annualized reporting burden are as follows:

Type of report	Number of respondents	Response per respondents	Hours per response	Total burden hours
Application	2900	1	.5	1450

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 10-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: February 10, 2005.

Tina M. Cheatham,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.