05-6094. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report and Instructions for Older Americans Act Title VII

AGENCY:

Administration on Aging, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish 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 notice solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report and instructions for Older Americans Act Title VII.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by May 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: [e-mail].

Submit written comments on the collection of information to: Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201. Attention: Sue Wheaton.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sue Wheaton, telephone: [phone]; e-mail: [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 request 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, AoA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document. With respect to the following collection of information, AoA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AoA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of AoA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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.

The reporting system, the National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS), was developed in response to the needs and directives pertaining to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and approved by the Office of Management and Budget for use in FY 1995-96, and extended with slight modifications for use in FY 1997-2001 and again for FY 2002-2006.

This request is to continue the use of the existing information collection, State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report (and Instructions), from Older Americans Act Title VII grantees. Under section 712(c), section 712(h)(1) and section 712(h)(B) of the Older Americans Act, as amended, states are required to provide information on ombudsmen activities to AoA, which AoA is then required to present to Congress. We are currently working with the states and local Ombudsmen on recommendations to revise and update the form and instructions for use beginning in FY 2007.

The reporting form would retain the following elements: A profile of the cases, complainants and complaints by type of facility; action taken on the complaints; a summary of long-term care issues; a detailed profile of the program and its activities, including the number and type of facilities licensed and operating in the state (and the number beds this represents); the staffing and funding of local programs; and an overview of other ombudsman activities (including: Training, technical assistance, consultation to organizations and individuals, resident visitation, community education, etc.)

AoA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: Approximately one and one-half hour per respondent with 52 State Agencies on Aging responding annually.

Dated: March 23, 2005.

Josefina G. Carbonell,

Assistant Secretary for Aging.