2013-07956. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Food Programs Reporting System

AGENCY:

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for the electronic submission of programmatic and financial data through the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS). The data is currently collected on approved Office of Management and Budget (OMB) forms.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before June 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

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, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions that were used; (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 those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Maeve Myers, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 706, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov,, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Maeve Myers at 703-305-2158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 

Title: Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS).

OMB Number: 0584-NEW.

Expiration Date: Not Yet Determined.

Type of Request: New collection.

Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is the Federal agency responsible for managing the domestic nutrition assistance programs. Its mission is to increase food security and reduce hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence. The domestic nutrition assistance programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Currently, the nutrition assistance programs managed by FNS touch the lives of 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year.

Federal nutrition assistance programs operate as partnerships between FNS, State, Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and local organizations that interact directly with program participants. States and ITOs voluntarily enter into agreements with the Federal Government to operate programs according to Federal standards in exchange for program funds that cover all benefit costs and a significant portion of administrative expenses. Under these agreements, FNS is responsible for implementing statutory requirements that set national program standards for eligibility and benefits, providing Federal funding to States, ITOs, and local partners and monitoring and evaluating program structures and policies to make sure they are properly implemented and effective in meeting program missions. States, ITOs and local organizations are responsible for delivering benefits efficiently, effectively and in a manner consistent with national requirements. States and ITOs may operate all or some of the 15 different domestic nutrition assistance programs.

FNS is consolidating certain programmatic and financial data reporting requirements that are currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget, under the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS), an electronic reporting system. The purpose is to give States and ITO agencies one portal for the various reporting required for the programs that the States and ITOs operate. The data collected is used for a variety of purposes: mainly program evaluation, planning, audits, funding, research, regulatory compliance and general statistics.

Affected Public: State and Tribal Government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,095.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.5.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 18,047.

Estimated Time per Response: 4.8 hours. The average estimated time of response varies from .2-98 hours depending on respondent group and type of program report; therefore, FNS provided an estimate.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 86,811 hours.

Dated: March 27, 2013.

Audrey Rowe,

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.