2015-20135. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request

AGENCY:

Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, HRSA seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR.

DATES:

Comments on this Information Collection Request must be received no later than October 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments to [e-mail] or mail the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 10-29, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, email [e-mail] or call the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the information request collection title for reference.

Information Collection Request Title: National Health Service Corps Scholar/Students to Service Travel Worksheet.

OMB No. 0915-0278—Extension.

Abstract: Clinicians participating in the HRSA National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program and the Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program use the online Travel Request Worksheet to receive travel funds from the federal government to visit eligible NHSC sites to which they may be assigned in accordance with the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), section 331(c)(1).

The travel approval process is initiated when a NHSC scholar or S2S participant notifies the NHSC of an impending interview at one or more NHSC-approved practice sites. The Travel Request Worksheet is also used to initiate the relocation process after an NHSC scholar or S2S participant has successfully been matched to an approved practice site in accordance with the PHSA, section 331(c)(3). Upon receipt of the Travel Request Worksheet, the NHSC will review and approve or disapprove the request and promptly notify the scholar or S2S participant, and the NHSC logistics contractor regarding travel arrangements and authorization of the funding for the site visit or relocation.

Need and Proposed Use of the Information: This information will facilitate NHSC scholar and S2S clinicians' receipt of federal travel funds that are used to visit high-need NHSC sites. The Travel Request Worksheet is also used to initiate the relocation process after a NHSC scholar or S2S participant has successfully been matched to an approved practice site. This information will be used by the NHSC in order to make travel arrangements for NHSC scholar and S2S clinicians to potential practice sites and to assist them in relocation arrangements once clinicians have secured employment at one of these sites.

Likely Respondents: Clinicians participating in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and the Students to Service Loan Repayment Program.

Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide the information requested. This includes the time needed to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for this Information Collection Request are summarized in the table below.

Total Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Total responses	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden hours
Travel Request Worksheet	250	2	500	.0667	33
Total	250	2	500	.0667	33

HRSA specifically requests comments on (1) the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden, (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

Jackie Painter,

Director, Division of the Executive Secretariat.