2015-24293. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Proposed Projects:

Title: Head Start Eligibility Verification.

OMB No.: 0970-0374.

Description: The Office of Head Start (OHS) within the Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services, proposes to renew, with changes, its authority for record keeping requirements associated with Head Start eligibility verification. OHS revised the Head Start Eligibility Verification form to reflect changes in the eligibility final rule published on February 10, 2015 (80 FR 7368). OHS initially developed the form to help programs determine eligibility. However, Head Start programs are not required to use this specific form. Programs may either adopt the form or design a new form to meet the eligibility requirements.

The Office of Head Start published a final rule on eligibility under the authority granted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Head Start Act (Act) at sections 644(c), 645(a)(1)(A), and 645A(c). The final rule clarifies Head Start's eligibility procedures and enrollment requirements, and reinforces Head Start's overall mission to support low-income families and early learning. A program must maintain records as specified in sections 1305.4(d)(2), 1305.4(l), and 1305.4(h) through (j) of the final rule.

Respondents: Head Start and Early Head Start program grant recipients.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instruments	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
§ 1305.4(l) Eligibility determination records (sample form)	1,600	478	.10	76,480
§ 1305.4(d)(2)	20	1	2	40
§ 1305.4(h),(i), and (j)	1,600	1	15	24,000
§ 1305.4(l) Other Record Keeping	1,600	1	15	24,000

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 124,520

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.