2014-07723. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Title: State Plan for Grants to States for Refugee Resettlement.

OMB No.: 0970-0351.

Description: A State Plan is required by 8 U.S.C. 1522 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) [Title IV, Sec. 412 of the Act] for each State agency requesting Federal funding for refugee resettlement under 8 U.S.C. 524 [Title IV, Sec. 414 of the Act], including Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, Unaccompanied Minor Refugee Program, Refugee Social Services, Cuban/Haitian Entrant Program and Targeted Assistance program funding. The State Plan is a comprehensive narrative description of the nature and scope of a States programs and provides assurances that the programs will be administered in conformity with the specific requirements stipulated in 45 CFR 400.4-400.9. The State Plan must include all applicable State procedures, designations, and certifications for each requirement as well as supporting documentation. The plan assures ORR that the State is capable of administering refugee assistance and coordinating employment and other social services for eligible caseloads in conformity with specific requirements. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has significant impacts on States' administration of Refugee Medical Assistance and requires information to ensure accountability and compliance with regulations. Also, Revised Medical Screening Guidelines for Newly Arriving Refugees policy (State Letter #12-09) requires assurances that medical screening is conducted in compliance with regulations and policies. The increasing complexity of the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program, impacted by changes in federal child welfare legislation as well as state child welfare statutes, regulations and IV-B and IV-E plans, necessitates information and assurances for review of State Plans for URM programs against requirements and mandatory standards under 45 CFR Part 400, subpart H and associated State Letters and ORR guidance. Information and assurances address administrative structure and state oversight, legal responsibility, eligibility, services and case review/planning, and interstate movement.

States must use a pre-print format for required components of State Plans for ORR-funded refugee resettlement services and benefits prepared by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

States must submit by August 15 each year new or amended State Plan for the next Federal fiscal year. For previously approved plan, States must certify no later than October 31 each year that the approved State plan is current and continues in effect.

Respondents: State Agencies, Replacement Designees under 45 CFR 400.301(c), and Wilson-Fish Grantees (State 2 Agencies) administering or supervising the administration of programs under Title IV of the Act.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
Title IV State Plan	50	1	15	750

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 750.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 506(c) (2) (A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above. Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. Email address: [e-mail]. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection.

The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Robert Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.