03-8012. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Periodically, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes abstracts of information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). To request a copy of the clearance requests submitted to OMB for review, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Office on [phone].

The following request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995:

Proposed Project: The Uniform Progress Report (UPR) for HRSA Continuation Training Grants (OMB No. 0915-0061)—Revision

The HRSA Progress Reports for Continuation Training Grants are used for the preparation and submission of continuation applications for Titles VII and VIII health professions and nursing education and training programs. The Uniform Progress Report measures grantee success in meeting (1) the objectives of the grant project and (2) the cross-cutting outcomes developed for the Bureau's education and training programs. Part I of the progress report is designed to collect information to determine whether sufficient progress has been made on the approved project objectives, as grantees must demonstrate satisfactory progress to warrant continuation of funding. Part II collects information on activities specific to a given program. Part III, Comprehensive Performance Management System, collects data on overall project performance related to the Bureau of Health Professions' strategic goals, objectives, outcomes and indicators. Progress will be measured based on the objectives of the grant project and outcome measures and indicators developed by the Bureau to meet requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

To respond to the requirements of GPRA, the Bureau developed goals, outcomes and indicators that provide a framework for collection of outcome data for its Titles VII and VIII programs. An outcome-based performance system is critical for measuring whether program support is meeting national health workforce objectives. At the core of the performance measurement system are found cross-cutting goals with respect to workforce quality, supply, diversity and distribution of the health professions workforce. A demonstration project to assess availability of the data needed to support the indicators was conducted, and data from this project are currently being analyzed.

The grantees were able to obtain and submit progress reports electronically for fiscal year 2001.

The burden estimate is as follows:

Form	Number of respondents	Response per respondent	Total responses	Hours per response	Total burden hours
Progress Report	1,550	1	1,550	21.5	33,325

Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of this notice to: John Morrall, Human Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

Dated: March 27, 2003.

Jane M. Harrison,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.