2020-20136. Agency Information Collection Request. 30-Day Public Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of a proposed collection for public comment.

DATES:

Comments on the ICR must be received on or before October 14, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sherrette Funn, [e-mail] or [phone]. When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the document identifier 0990-New-30D and project title for reference.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (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.

Title of the Collection: ASPE Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment.

Type of Collection: Extension.

OMB No. 0990-0421—Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).

Abstract: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is requesting a three-year extension for their generic clearance for purposes of conducting qualitative research. The ICR is for an extension of the approved information collection assigned OMB control number 0990-0421, scheduled to expire on October 31, 2020. ASPE conducts qualitative research to gain a better understanding of emerging health and human services policy issues, develop future intramural and extramural research projects, and to ensure HHS leadership, agencies and offices have recent data and information to inform program and policy decision-making. ASPE is requesting approval for at least four types of qualitative research which include, but are not limited to: (a) Interviews, (b) focus groups, (c) questionnaires, and (d) other qualitative methods.

ASPE's mission is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on policy development in health, disability, human services, data, and science, and provides advice and analysis on economic policy. ASPE leads special initiatives, coordinates many of the Department's evaluation, research and demonstration activities, and manages cross-Department planning activities such as implementation of the Evidence Act, strategic planning, legislative planning, and review of regulations. Integral to this role, ASPE will use this mechanism to conduct qualitative research, evaluation, or assessment, conduct analyses, and understand needs, barriers, or facilitators for HHS-related programs and services.

ASPE is requesting comment on the burden for qualitative research aimed at understanding emerging health and human services policy issues. The goal of developing these activities is to identify emerging issues and research gaps to ensure the successful implementation of HHS programs. The participants may include health and human services experts; national, state, and local health or human services representatives; public health, human services, or healthcare providers; and representatives of other health or human services organizations.

Need and Proposed Use of the Information: ASPE is requesting comment on the burden for qualitative research aimed at understanding emerging health and human services policy issues. The goal of developing these activities is to identify emerging issues and research gaps to ensure the successful implementation of HHS programs. The participants may include health and human services experts; national, state, and local health or human services representatives; public health, human services, or healthcare providers; and representatives of other health or human services organizations. The increase in burden from 747 in 2014 to 1,300 respondents in 2017 reflects an increase in the number of research projects conducted over the estimate in 2014. There is no change in request of burden hours from 2017 to 2020.

The total annual burden hours estimated for this ICR are summarized in the table below.

Estimated Annualized Burden Table

Type of respondent	Form	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
Health or Human Services Policy Stakeholder	Qualitative Research	1,300	1	1	1,300

Sherrette A. Funn,

Office of the Secretary, Paperwork Reduction Act Reports Clearance Officer.