2018-02238. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Title: National and Tribal Evaluation of the 2nd Generation of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants.

OMB NO.: 0970-0462.

Description: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing data collection activities as part of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) to serve TANF and Other Low Income Individuals. ACF has developed a multi-pronged research and evaluation approach for the HPOG Program to better understand and assess the activities conducted and their results. Two rounds of HPOG grants have been awarded—the first in 2010 (HPOG 1.0) and the second in 2015 (HPOG 2.0). There are federal evaluations associated with each round of grants. HPOG grants provide funding to government agencies, community-based organizations, post-secondary educational institutions, and tribal-affiliated organizations to provide education and training services to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals, including tribal members. Under HPOG 2.0, ACF provided grants to five tribal-affiliated organizations and 27 non-tribal entities.

OMB previously approved data collection under OMB Control Number 0970-0462 for: the HPOG 2.0 National and Tribal Evaluation (Approved August 2015); and the National Evaluation impact study; the National Evaluation descriptive study; and the Tribal Evaluation (All approved June 2017). The proposed data collection activities described in this Federal Register Notice will provide data for the impact and cost benefit studies of the 27 non-tribal grantees participating in the National Evaluation of HPOG 2.0.

National Evaluation: The National Evaluation pertains only to the 27 non-tribal grantees that received HPOG 2.0 funding. The design for the National Evaluation features an implementation study, a systems change analysis, and cost benefit analysis. In addition, the National Evaluation is using an experimental design to measure and analyze key participant outcomes including completion of education and training, receipt of certificates and/or degrees, earnings, and employment in a healthcare career. The impact evaluation will assess the outcomes for study participants that were offered HPOG 2.0 training, financial assistance, and support services, compared to what their outcomes would have been if they had not been offered HPOG 2.0 services. This Notice provides the opportunity to comment on a proposed new information collection activity for the HPOG 2.0 National Evaluation's impact study—the HPOG 2.0 Impact Evaluation first follow-up survey, referred to as the Short-Term Follow-up Survey. The first follow-up survey of both treatment and control group members will be administered approximately 15 months after baseline data collection and random assignment. The survey will collect data about key outcomes of interest, including participants' tenure and experience in HPOG programming; certifications and educational achievements; job placement; and receipt of benefits. These are the key outcomes of interest for which data are not otherwise available through existing data sources. Previously approved collection activities under 0970-0462 will continue under this new request for the National Evaluation of the non-tribal grantees.

In subsequent requests for clearance, we will submit (1) additional data collection instruments to support the descriptive study of the 27 non-tribal grantees participating in the HPOG 2.0 National Evaluation, including grantee interview guides and participant interview guides; and (2) the second follow-up survey—the Intermediate Follow-up Survey—for the HPOG 2.0 National Evaluation impact study. The second follow-up survey is for collecting data from both treatment and control group members at the 27 non-tribal grantees, approximately 36 months after baseline data collection and random assignment. This submission will also include data collection necessary for the National Evaluation's cost benefit analysis.

Respondents: For the National Evaluation impact study: HPOG 2.0 study participants at the 27 non-tribal grantees.

Annual Burden Estimates

[This information collection request is for 3 years]

Instrument	Total number of respondents	Annual number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Annual burden hours
1. National Evaluation 15-Month Follow-up Survey	10,400	3,467	1	1	3,467

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,467.

Additional Information: Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: OPRE Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection. Email 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, Email: [e-mail], Attn: Desk Officer for the Administration for Children and Families.

Mary Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.