2011-19192. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Title: Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), Title IV-B & IV-E.

OMB No.: 0980-0267.

Description: Section 479 of title IV-E of the Social Security Act (the Act) directs States to establish and implement an adoption and foster care reporting system. Federal regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 sets forth the requirements of section 479 of the Social Security Act for the collection of uniform, reliable information on children who are under the responsibility of the State title IV-B/IV-E agency for placement, care, and adoption. The respondents are child welfare agencies in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The data collected will inform State/Federal policy decisions, program management, and responses to Congressional and Departmental inquiries. Specifically, the data are used for short/long-term budget projections, trend analysis, child and family service reviews, and to target areas for improved technical assistance. The data will provide information about foster care placements, adoptive parents, length of time in care, delays in termination of parental rights and placement for adoption.

Respondents:

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
AFCARS	52	2	2,581	268,424

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 268,424.

Additional Information: Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection. E-mail address: [e-mail].

OMB Comment: OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent directly to the following: Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail], Attn: Desk Officer for the Administration for Children and Families.

Robert Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.