02-12088. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of information are 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 through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: National Survey of Characteristics and Funding of School Mental Health Services: 2002-2003—New—SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services will sponsor this national study of the mental health services provided in U.S. public schools. A substantial proportion of public schools provide some level of mental health screening, prevention, and treatment services to their students. However, no national-level data are available on these services. The study is designed to document the types of mental health problems encountered in schools, the mental health services provided, the types and of qualifications of staff providing the services, the arrangements for delivery of services, and the funding of those services. The study will examine the prevalence of these mental health resources and their distribution across schools in the nation as they vary by grade level, size, locale, and the student populations served.

The survey will be conducted as a self-administered mail survey (with telephone followup) of a nationally representative sample of 2,000 public elementary, middle and secondary schools. The districts associated with the sampled schools will be asked to answer questions about funding sources, budgets, and issues related to funding. The results of the study will be available in the summer of 2003. Response burden for the survey is summarized in the following table.

Questionnaire	Number of respondents	Responses/ respondent	Burden/ response (hrs.)	Total burden hours
School district	1,200	1	.5	600
School	2,000	1	1.0	2,000
Total	3,200			2,600

Send comments to Nancy Pearce, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 16-105, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: May 8, 2002.

Richard Kopanda,

Executive Officer, SAMHSA.