05-5688. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Proposed Projects

Title: Children's Justice Act Program (CJA).

OMB No.: 0980-0196.

Description: The Program Instruction, prepared in response to the enactment of the Children's Justice Act (CJA), as set forth in Title II of Pub. L. 108-36, child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 2003, provides direction to the States and the territories to accomplish the purposes of assisting States in developing, establishing and operating programs designed to improve: (1) The handling of child abuse and neglect cases, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child victim; (2) the handling of cases of suspected child abuse or neglect-related fatalities; (3) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation; and (4) the handling of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are victims of abuse and neglect. This Program Instruction contains information collection requirements that are found in Pub. L. 108-36 at Sections 107(b) and 107(d), and pursuant to receiving a grant award. The information being collected is required by statute to be submitted pursuant to receiving a grant award. The information submitted will be used by the agency to ensure compliance with the statute; to monitor, evaluate and measure grantee achievements in addressing the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect; and to report to Congress.

Respondents: State Governments.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
Application	52	1	40	2,080
Annual Report	52	1	20	1,080

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,120.

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 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: March 16, 2005.

Bob Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.