2011-22907. Comment Request for Information Collection for YouthBuild (YB) Reporting System, OMB 1205-0464, Extension With Revisions

AGENCY:

Employment and Training Administration.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 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(c)(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 Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data regarding the Youth Build Reporting System (expires April 30, 2014).

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee's section below on or before November 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments to Gregg Weltz Room N-4508, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone number: 202-693-3527 (this is not a toll-free number). Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

This is a request for the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) to extend the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the YouthBuild (YB) program and to add an additional section to an existing form to enable the collection of information on the number of affordable housing units built or renovated by YouthBuild participants. This reporting structure features standardized data collection for program participants and quarterly progress and Management Information System (MIS) report formats. All data collection and reporting is done by YouthBuild grantees.

The quarterly progress reports (ETA-9136) provide a detailed, narrative account of program activities, accomplishments, and progress toward performance outcomes during the quarter. The quarterly performance reports (ETA-9138) include aggregate and participant-level information on demographic characteristics, types of services received, placements, outcomes, and follow-up status. Specifically, these reports collect data on individuals who receive education, occupational skill training, leadership development services, and other services essential to preparing at-risk youth for high-wage, high-demand occupations through YouthBuild programs. There are no changes proposed for ETA-9136 or ETA-9138 in this information collection request package. ETA-9143, however, is being revised in response to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Audit Report No. 18-11-001-03-001, “Recovery Act: ETA Needs to Strengthen Management Controls to Meet YouthBuild Program Objectives,” issued on March 31, 2011. One of the findings was that “ETA has not designed and implemented a process to measure the increase in the supply of affordable homes for low income families.” The OIG recommended that a process be developed to measure the increase in affordable permanent housing units resulting from the program.

ETA-9143 is being revised to add a section, part C, that requests information on the number of houses or apartments that were built or renovated each year and allows ETA to demonstrate on an annual basis the increase in affordable housing units supported by YouthBuild. In addition, Parts A and B of ETA-9143 are being streamlined to make it easier to complete and to eliminate duplicate information.

The accuracy, reliability, and comparability of program reports submitted by grantees using federal funds are fundamental elements of good public administration and are necessary tools for maintaining and demonstrating system integrity. The use of a standard set of data elements, definitions, and specifications at all levels of the workforce system helps improve the quality of performance information that is received by ETA.

II. Review Focus

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 collected; 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 submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

Type of Review: extension with revisions.

Title: YouthBuild (YB) Reporting System.

OMB Number: OMB 1205-0464.

Affected Public: Grantees—Not for profit institutions

Form(s): ETA-9136, ETA-9138 and ETA-9143, Work Site Description.

Form/activity	Total respondents	Frequency	Total annual responses	Average time per response (hours)	Total annual burden hours
Participant Data Collection	6,000 youth participants	Collected by grantees, continual	6,000	1.8	10,800
Quarterly narrative progress report	220 grantees	Quarterly	880	16	14,080
Quarterly performance report. ETA-9138	220 grantees	Quarterly	880	16	14,080
ETA-9143—Work Site Description Parts A and B (Prospective Applicants)	425* prospective applicants	Annual competitions	425	.5	212.50
ETA-9143—Work Site Description Parts A and B (Existing Grantees)	220 grantees	Annually	220	. 5	110
Housing Census ETA-9143, Section 2	220 grantees	annually	220	.5	110
Totals	220 grantees		8,625		39,392.50
* Based on the average number (425 per year) of applications received in ETA's last three YouthBuild competitions.

Total Annual Respondents: 645.

Annual Frequency: annually and quarterly.

Total Annual Responses: 8,625.

Average Time per Response: 4.6.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 39,392.5.

Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: $0.

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 request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: September 1, 2011.

Jane Oates,

Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.