[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 134 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36568-36572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17276]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Proposed Collection of Job Corps Health Questionnaire Comment
Request
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(2)(A)]. This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Job Corps is soliciting comments concerning the proposed
revision of the Health Questionnaire, Form ETA 6-53, a copy of which is
attached to this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee section below on or before September 9, 1996. The Department
of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collection; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
ADDRESSEE: Charles R. Hayman, MD, National Medical Director, Job Corps,
Room N4507, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, 202-219-
5556, ext. 122 (this is not a toll-free number), 202-219-5183 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Job Corps program is described in its enabling legislation
under Public Law 97-300, Job Training Partnership Act. Section 423(4)
states the health eligibility criteria and Section 424 of the Act
outlines the screening and selection process for entry into Job Corps.
The Department of Labor's regulation at 20 CFR 638.400 (K, L, M)
further details the recruitment and screening of applicants, with
specific guidance regarding health screening.
Young people wishing to enroll in Job Corps must first be screened
to determine their suitability for the program. This initial screening
of applicants is carried out by screening agencies, including State
employment services, contracted to recruit young people for Job Corps.
Screening ensures that applicants meet all admissions criteria as
defined in Performance Requirements Handbook (PRH) Chapter 1, Outreach
and Screening, July 1995.
Nonmedical personnel in the screening agencies (admissions
counselors) conduct the screening interview and complete all required
application forms included in PRH-1 and its appendices. From 1980
through 1986, the Job Corps Health Questionnaire (ETA 6-53) was
administered during the screening interview only to those applicants
whose medical eligibility was in doubt (as determined by positive
response to questions 25 a, b, or c on the Job Corps Data Sheet, ETA 6-
52).
A survey of Regional Directors for Job Corps and their staffs in
1982 and 1984 affirmed that the limited use of the Health Questionnaire
in effect since 1980 had a significant adverse effect on the program.
All regions responding recommended use of the Health Questionnaire
during the initial screening interview for all applicants. It was noted
that given the guidance and structure of the Health Questionnaire,
screeners would ask more questions about applicants' health problems
than the four general questions on the Data Sheet, and that responses
to these questions would be very likely to uncover health problems
(especially mental health problems). In 1987, initial use of the Health
Questionnaire for all applicants was reinstituted.
II. Current Actions
The application folders of all applicants for the Job Corps showing
questionable medical or behavioral status are transferred to the
appropriate Regional Office for review. Regional Office personnel give
any records showing potential health problems to the regional nurse
consultant.
The nurse consultant reviews the applicant's medical history as
contained in the Health Questionnaire. If necessary the consultant
supplements' information from the applicant's health care providers to
determine whether the individual has health problems that might prevent
him or her from benefiting from the Job Corps program or that might
unduly tax a center's health care budget.
In Regions II and IV, screening has been delegated to selected
staff of each center. Center staff review all applications and make the
decision to accept. The Regional Office staff and consultants are
called upon for technical assistance as needed and for review and final
decision on all applications provisionally rejected by the center.
Persons having significant physical disabilities are accepted into
designated centers for the mobility impaired, vision or hearing
impaired, or learning disabled. (Applicants with conditions requiring
extensive treatment are not accepted).
While most health screening at the Regional level is done by the
nurse consultant through review of the applicant's health record, in
some instances the nurse will request the assistance of the regional
medical, dental or mental health consultant to ensure that the
evaluation of the applicant's suitability for Job Corps is correct.
In the case of an applicant with an acceptable health condition
requiring special attention, the nurse consultant will advise the Job
Corps Regional Director concerning appropriate center placement. For
all accepted applicants, the Regional Office sends the Health
Questionnaire and all other health information sealed in the student's
Health Record Envelope to the center of assignment.
In general, the Regional Directors feel that Job Corps deals with a
population
[[Page 36569]]
of youth that requires them to be quite specific in the screening
process. Applicants are perceived as having great difficulty
understanding general questions regarding their health history and
status. They also do not routinely volunteer necessary information
regarding their health unless asked the more detailed questions
included on the Health Questionnaire.
Additionally, Regional Directors feel that many admissions
counselors do not have the necessary skills to perform an in-depth
health interview without the structure provided by the Health
Questionnaire.
Regional Directors cite the following specific benefits of using
the Health Questionnaire for all applicants:
Identifies health problems that may prohibit an applicant
from successfully completing a Job Corps program.
Identifies applicants whose physical or mental health
problems may result in harm to themselves or others following
enrollment.
Identifies health problems that Job Corps is not prepared
to handle due to lack of health care resources or due to excessive
costs.
Assists in assignment of an applicant with a health
problem to a center equipped to provide both health care and vocational
training appropriate to the applicant's needs.
Experience throughout the Job Corps indicates that the Health
Questionnaire is an excellent guide in identifying current and
potential applicant health problems. Its use results in considerable
savings of time, by both regional health consultants and center health
staff, and of money, by reducing high medical program costs and early
medical terminations.
In addition, ETA uses the Report of Medical Examination, SF 88 and
Report of Medical History, SF 93 when medical examinations of the Job
Corps enrollees are conducted.
Burden Cost: Total cost to respondent (Job Corps applicant/student)
is 0.
Date: June 5, 1996.
Signing Official: Mary H. Silva, National Director, Job Corps.
Description of Revisions to Existing Collection: Job Corps entities
(Regional Offices, centers, screening agencies) were asked to comment
on the existing questionnaire. Twenty-five responses were received and
analyzed. As a result, the proposed revision (attached) has been
developed as being easier to administer, and bringing forth more
specific information readily usable by regional health consultants and
center health staff.
Type of Review: Revision.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
Title: Job Corps Health Questionnaire.
OMB Number: 1205-0033.
Agency Number: ETA 6-53.
Record Keeping: Records are maintained for 3 years.
Affected Public: Individual or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not for profit institutions, Federal Government, State or Local
or Tribal Government.
Total Respondents: 103,000 annually.
Frequency: Once per applicant.
Total Responses: 1.
Average Time Per Response: 12 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 20,600.
Total Burden Cost: $6,500.
Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and
Budget approval of the information collection requirements; they will
also become a matter of public record.
Dated: July 1, 1996.
Signing Official:
Mary H. Silva,
National Director, Job Corps.
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Job Corps Health Questionnaire, ETA 6-53
1. Purpose. To obtain a health history on each applicant to
determine health eligibility of the applicant to enter Job Corps.
2. Originator. Job Corps admissions counselor.
3. Frequency. Once for each student at time of application.
4. Distribution. This is a 2-page form. If there are ``yes''
answers to one or more questions on the form, you must obtain relevant
physician/institution reports and forward the applicant's folder,
including the ETA 6-53, to the Job Corps Regional Office for review.
The center of assignment receives the original ETA 6-53 if the region
approves the application. A copy is retained by the Regional Office.
5. General Instructions. Information is placed on the form as given
by the applicant during the health interview. This information is
confidential and must be so maintained by the admissions counselor. The
admissions counselor must:
a. Ensure that the health questionnaire is fully understood by the
applicant and that all entries are completed and appropriately written
or checked.
b. Score the health questionnaire.
c. Obtain additional information or arrange for a new health
examination or evaluation for the applicant when requested by the
regional health consultant.
6. Detailed Instructions.
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Item Comments
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1............................... Self Explanatory.
2............................... Self Explanatory.
3............................... Self Explanatory.
4............................... Self Explanatory.
5............................... Accept weight given by applicant;
however, raise questions if there is
a great difference (25 or more
pounds) between given weight and the
admission counselor's estimate based
on observation. Note large variations
under Item 11.
6............................... Self Explanatory.
7,8............................. Ask questions as stated and check
``NO'' or ``YES.''
a. Attach copy of insurance or
Medicaid card if appropriate.
b. If possible, obtain the medical
diagnosis of the condition rather
than the applicant's description of
symptons.
c. Establish appropriate dates for the
onset of the condition and date it
ceased, if appropriate.
d. Obtain information for each
condition. Explain how often the
problem occurs (e.g., heart
condition--cannot walk up stairs
without getting short of breath). Be
sure to specify whether the applicant
still has the condition.
e. For question 8i, list all allergies
(such as to foods, dust, penicillin)
and include what type of allergic
response the applicant has (e.g.,
hives, sneezing, headaches).
f. Obtain information about all
hospital stays even if several were
for the same condition. List only
dates that applicant was in the
hospital. Do not include emergency
room visits.
10 The admissions counselor will score
the questionnaire as follows:
a. If answers to all items in
questions 8 and 9 are ``NO,'' score
as category ``A.''
b. If there are any ``YES'' answers,
or if the admissions counselor
observes peculiarity of behavior, or
if the applicant admits pregnancy,
score as category ``B.''
11 Use this section to record:
a. Any comments provided by the
applicant for questions 8 and 9. If
the applicant is not sure whether he/
she had one of the conditions
mentioned in questions 8 or 9,
include whatever information the
applicant provides.
If the applicant is reluctant to give
additional information, the
admissions counselor must not
pressure the applicant. Indicate in
this section that the applicant
declined to comment.
b. Observations made by the admissions
counselor regarding the physical
limitations or the emotional state of
the applicant. Observe whether the
applicant has obvious physical
disabilities (e.g., walks with a
limp) or peculiarity in behavior
(e.g., stares or twitches).
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[FR Doc. 96-17276 Filed 7-10-96; 8:45 am]
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