2010-11840. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, e-mail [e-mail] or call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer at [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) The proposed collection of information for the proper performance of the functions of the agency; (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.

HRSA Telehealth Outcome Measures (OMB No. 0915-0311)—Extension

In order to help carry out its mission, the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) created a set of performance measures that grantees can use to evaluate the effectiveness of their services programs and monitor their progress through the use of performance reporting data. As required by the Government Performance and Review Act of 1993 (GPRA), all federal agencies must develop strategic plans describing their overall goal and objectives. The Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) has worked with its grantees to develop performance measures to be used to evaluate and monitor the progress of the grantees. Grantee goals are to: Improve access to needed services; reduce rural practitioner isolation; improve health system productivity and efficiency; and improve patient outcomes. In each of these categories, specific indicators were designed to be reported through a performance monitoring Web site.

The Program Assessment Response Tool (PART) is the instrument created for use by Federal agencies. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) uses the PART to assess Federal programs. The PART is a series of diagnostic questions used to assess and evaluate programs across a set of performance-related criteria, including program design and purpose, strategic planning, program management, and results. PART results are used to inform the budget process and improve program management. OAT's Telehealth Network Grant Program has been undergoing a PART assessment this year. Thus, in addition to responding to the GPRA initiative, OAT now has the added responsibility of responding to the PART assessment of its Telehealth Network Grant Program. The proposed performance measures will provide performance data that will address the PART assessment, monitor progress, and evaluate program effectiveness.

The estimates of burden are as follows:

Form	Number of respondents	Average number of responses per respondent	Total responses	Hours per response	Total burden hours
Performance Measurement Tool	667	2	1,334	7	9,338

E-mail comments to [e-mail] or mail the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 10-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: May 12, 2010.

Sahira Rafiullah,

Director, Division of Policy and Information Coordination.