Notice2021-21282
Submission for OMB Review; Services Provided to Unaccompanied Children (0970-0553)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 30, 2021
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentChildren and Families Administration
Abstract
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is inviting public comments on revisions to an approved information collection. The request consists of several forms that allow the Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program to provide services to UC as required by statute and ORR policy.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54202-54205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21282]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Submission for OMB Review; Services Provided to Unaccompanied
Children (0970-0553)
AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and
Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for
Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), is inviting public comments on revisions to an approved
information collection. The request consists of several forms that
allow the Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program to provide services to UC
as required by statute and ORR policy.
DATES: Comments due within 30 days of publication. OMB must make a
decision about 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.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description: ORR received several comments on this information
collection in response to the Federal Register Notice published on
February 25, 2021, (86 FR 11537) and has provided responses to those
comments in its final submission to OMB. UC Path is critical to program
operations, and it is important that rollout of the new system not be
delayed. Therefore, the below description details what will be included
in the initial launch of the UC Path case management system and
revisions based on public comments will be made after initial launch.
ORR plans to conduct a deliberative review of commenters' suggestions
and concerns and submit a request for revisions to this information
collection request in January 2022. The upcoming information collection
request will also include revisions based on feedback from UC Path
system users (i.e., ORR grantee, contractor, and federal staff).
A. ORR revised 11 instruments currently approved under OMB #0970-
0553 and plans to add 11 new instruments to this collection. All
instruments will be incorporated into ORR's new case management system,
UC Path. In addition, ORR plans to remove one currently approved
instrument from this collection. Finally, ORR plans to replace the term
``unaccompanied alien child (UAC)'' with ``unaccompanied children
(UC)'' throughout the instruments in this collection.
1. Sponsor Assessment (Form S-5): This instrument is used by case
managers to document their assessment of the suitability of a potential
sponsor to provide for the safety and well-being of a UC. ORR
reformatted and reorganized the instrument and reworded some of the
fields. In addition, ORR made the following revisions:
[cir] In the ``Sponsor Basic Information'' section, added the field
``Relationship to UC.''
[cir] In the ``Family Relationships'' section, added the field
``Home Address'' and removed the field ``Are you married to your
partner?''
[cir] In the ``Household Composition'' section, removed the field
``Valid Identity Document Received.''
[cir] In the ``Previous Sponsorship'' section, removed the field
``How many children did you sponsor?'' and added the following fields:
``What contact do you still have with the child?,'' What is the child's
current legal status?,'' and ``HHM/AACG Name.''
[cir] In the ``Proof of Identity'' section, removed the following
fields: ``Sponsor's identity is verified,'' ``Household member's
identity is verified,'' ``Adult Caregiver's identity is verified,'' and
``Additional information on identity.''
[cir] In the ``Proof of Immigration Status or U.S. Citizenship''
section, added the following fields: ``Proof of Immigration Document
Type,'' ``Expiration Date,'' ``Date Documents Issued,'' and ``Verified
by Government Agency or Consulate.''
[cir] In the ``Proof of Address'' section, added the field
``Alternate Phone'' and removed the following fields: ``Work Phone,''
``Fax,'' ``Describe the area/neighborhood where you reside,'' ``Do you
receive your mail at a different address?,'' ``If yes, what is the
address that you use to receive mail?,'' and ``Resided at Address
Within Past 5 Years.''
[cir] In the ``Proof of Financial Stability'' section, added the
following fields: ``List Proof of Financial Stability documents
provided,'' ``Proof of Financial Stability Document Type,'' and ``Date
Document Issued.''
[cir] In the ``Care Plan'' section, added the fields ``Are you
aware of any mental health conditions of the UC which will need
treatment?'' and ``Explain how you
[[Page 54203]]
plan to supervise and ensure the safety of the UC'' and removed eight
other fields.
[cir] Removed the ``Safety Plan'' section.
[cir] In the ``Supervision Plan'' section, removed the fields
``SSN/A No.'' and ``Explain how you plan to supervise the minor.''
[cir] In the ``Alternate Adult Caregiver Plan'' section, removed
the field ``SSN/A No.''
[cir] In the ``Self-Disclosed Criminal History'' section, added the
fields ``Conviction'' and ``List any child abuse and neglect history''
and removed six other fields.
[cir] In the ``Sponsor's Knowledge of UC Journey and Apprehension''
section, added the field ``If there is a debt still owed for the UC's
journey, please explain.''
[cir] In the ``Human Trafficking'' section, added the fields ``If
you have travelled back to your country of origin since your arrival in
the U.S., please explain.'' and ``Were you ever restricted from
quitting or leaving the work?'' and removed 16 other fields.
2. Home Study Assessment (formerly titled Home Study Report) (Form
S-6): This instrument is used by home study providers to document their
assessment of a potential sponsor after performing a home site visit.
ORR reformatted and reorganized the instrument and reworded some of the
fields. In addition, ORR made the following revisions:
[cir] In the ``UC Background'' section, removed the question
related to the UC's understanding of certain U.S. laws. Questions about
how sponsor disciplines children and whether UC would feel safe living
with sponsor were replaced with a single question asking if the UC has
any concerns about living with sponsor.
[cir] In the ``Sponsor's Motivation and Relationship to UC''
section, replaced the question on the location of the sponsor's family
members in the U.S. and their relationship to the UC with a question
asking if the sponsor has a family support system in the U.S. and
whether they can provide assistance.
[cir] In the ``Household Members'' section, removed fields related
to background checks because this information is documented by case
managers elsewhere in UC Path.
[cir] In the ``Summary'' section, removed the risk factors and
protective factors table.
3. Adult Contact Profile (formerly titled New Sponsor) (Form S-7):
The purpose of this instrument has been expanded; it now acts as a hub
where users can access all records related to a sponsor, adult
household member, or alternate adult caregiver. The average burden
minutes per response was increased from 20 to 45 minutes. In addition,
ORR made the following revisions:
[cir] Replaced the ``UC Basic Information'' section with the
``Associated UCs'' table.
[cir] Removed the following fields: ``SSN,'' ``Country of
Residency,'' ``Query ID,'' ``Does anyone in the Household have a
Serious Contagious Disease?,'' and ``Do any of the Occupants Have
Criminal Convictions or Charges, Other Than Minor Traffic Violations?''
[cir] Added the following fields: ``AKA,'' ``Current Age,''
``Primary Language Spoken,'' ``Other Spoken Languages,'' ``Additional
Cultural Information,'' and ``Legacy Address.''
[cir] Replaced the fields related to address and address flags with
the ``Address History'' section.
[cir] Moved the information from the ``Affidavits of Support''
table to the Sponsor Assessment.
4. Initial Intakes Assessment (Form S-8): This instrument is used
by care providers to screen UC for trafficking or other safety
concerns, special needs, danger to self and others, medical conditions,
and mental health concerns. ORR reformatted and reorganized the
instrument and reworded some of the fields. The average burden minutes
per response was increased from 15 to 20 minutes. In addition, ORR made
the following revisions:
[cir] In the ``Information'' section, removed the field ``Date of
departure from home country'' and added the following fields: ``City of
Birth,'' ``Neighborhood of Birth,'' ``Religious Affiliation,'' ``Other
Languages Spoken,'' ``Who did UC live with before placement?''
[cir] Replaced the ``Family Information'' section with the ``Family
and Friends'' and ``Adult Contact Relationships'' sections.
[cir] Added new ``Significant Information'' section, containing six
fields.
[cir] In the ``Medical'' section, replaced or reworded most fields
and expanded the fields related to allergies into multiple fields.
[cir] Added a new ``Medication Overview'' section, containing three
fields.
[cir] Revised the available fields in the ``Observable or Reported
Medical Concerns'' section.
[cir] Reduced the number of fields in the ``Mental Health'' section
to three.
5. Assessment for Risk (Form S-9): This instrument is an assessment
administered by care providers to reduce the risk that a child or youth
is sexually abused or abuses someone else while in ORR custody. ORR
reformatted and reorganized the instrument and reworded some of the
fields. In addition, ORR added several fields related to the UC's
sexual history and two fields on mental and physical disability and
illness. The average burden minutes per response was increased from 30
to 45 minutes.
6. UC Assessment (Form S-11): This instrument is an in-depth
assessment used by care providers to document information about the UC
that is used to inform provision of services (e.g., case management,
legal, education, medical, mental health, home studies), screen for
trafficking or other safety concerns, and identify special needs. ORR
reformatted and reorganized the instrument and reworded some of the
fields. The average burden minutes per response was increased from 45
minutes to 2 hours. In addition, ORR made the following revisions:
[cir] Added a new ``Age-determination or Identity Concern''
section, containing 11 fields.
[cir] In the ``Additional UC Information'' section, added the
following fields: ``City of Birth,'' ``Who did UC live with before
placement?,'' ``Neighborhood of Birth,'' and ``Other additional
information.''
[cir] In the ``Family and Friends'' section, removed ``Has family
in Country of Origin?,'' ``Has Family in the US?'' fields; replaced
``Family in Country of Origin'' and ``Family and Friends in the U.S.''
tables with a ``Family and Friends'' table; and added ``Separated from
Parents/Legal Guardian?'' and ``Migrant Protection Protocol case?''
fields.
[cir] Removed the ``Medical History'' and ``Medication Table'' from
the ``Medical'' section and added the field ``Health care needs are
being addressed?''
[cir] Moved fields in the ``Legal'' section to the UC Profile and
UC Legal Information instruments found in other ORR information
collections.
[cir] Removed all fields from the ``Criminal'' section and replaced
them with two new fields and an area to provide details on any criminal
charges (nine fields).
[cir] Removed the ``Mental Health/Behavior'' section because that
information is available in the mental health area of UC Path.
[cir] In the ``Sponsor Information'' section, replaced the table
with the ``Adult Contact Relationship'' table and added a section that
displays ``Previous Sponsor Applications.''
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[cir] Added a ``Documents'' section in which documents directly
related to case management may be uploaded.
[cir] In the ``Certification'' section, created separate areas for
both the clinician and case manager to certify that all required
sections of the instruments are complete and accurate and added
``Translator Name'' and ``Language'' fields.
7. UC Case Review (Form S-12): This instrument is used by care
providers to document new information obtained after completion of the
UC Assessment. ORR reformatted and reorganized the instrument and
reworded some of the fields. The average burden minutes per response
was increased from 30 minutes to 2 hours. In addition, ORR made the
following revisions:
[cir] Added a new ``Age-determination or Identity Concern''
section, containing 11 fields.
[cir] Created a new ``Additional UC Information'' section and added
the following fields: ``UC Case Review Type,'' ``Who did UC live with
before placement?,'' ``City of Birth,'' ``Religious Affiliation,''
``Neighborhood of Birth,'' ``Separated from Parents/Legal Guardian?,''
and ``Parent Separation Case Updates.''
[cir] In the ``Medical'' section, added a new ``Health care needs
are being addressed?'' field and a table of ``Existing Mental Health
Diagnoses'' that is auto-populated from information entered into the
mental health area of UC Path.
[cir] Removed the ``Medical History'' and ``Medication Table'' from
the ``Medical'' section.
[cir] In the ``Mental Health'' section, removed the fields under
``Psychological Evaluation'' and added the following fields: ``Date
Completed,'' ``Date of Evaluation,'' and ``Evaluator.''
[cir] Added a new ``Case Plan'' section, containing seven fields.
[cir] Moved fields in the ``Legal'' section to the UC Profile and
UC Legal Information instruments found in other ORR information
collections.
[cir] In the ``Sponsor Information'' section, replaced the table
with the ``Adult Contact Relationships'' table and added a section that
displays ``Previous Sponsor Applications.''
[cir] Added a new ``Criminal'' section (two fields) and an area to
provide details on any criminal charges (nine fields).
[cir] Added a ``Documents'' section in which documents directly
related to case management may be uploaded.
[cir] Removed the ``Recommendations'' and ``Care Plan'' sections.
[cir] In the ``Certification'' section, created separate areas for
both the clinician and case manager to certify that all required
sections of the instruments are complete and accurate and added
``Translator Name'' and ``Language'' fields.
8. Individual Service Plan (Form S-13): This instrument is used by
care providers to document all services provided to the UC. ORR revised
the formatting and reworded some of the fields. In addition, ORR added
the following fields: ``Contract Number,'' ``Individual Service Plan,''
``Entity Name,'' ``Notes,'' ``List Team Members who Contributed to
ISP,'' ``Translator Name,'' and ``Language.'' In addition, ORR added an
area where documents directly related to the service plan may be
uploaded. The average burden minutes per response was increased from 15
to 20 minutes.
9. Long Term Foster Care Travel Request (Form S-14): This
instrument is used by long term foster care providers to request ORR
approval for a UC to travel with their foster family outside of the
local community. ORR revised the formatting and reworded some of the
fields. In addition, ORR added the following fields: ``Status,''
``Transportation Notes,'' ``Policy #,'' ``Remand for Further
Information,'' and ``ORR Decision.'' The average burden minutes per
response was increased from 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Child Advocate Recommendation and Appointment (Form S-15): This
instrument is used by care providers and other stakeholders to
recommend appointment of a child advocate for a UC. The child advocate
contractor then enters whether a child advocate is available and ORR
approves the appointment. ORR reformatted and reorganized the
instrument and reworded some of the fields. No changes were made to the
content.
11. 30 Day Restrictive Placement Case Review (formerly titled
Summary Notes: Thirty Day Restrictive Placement Case Review) (Form S-
16): This instrument is used by care providers to document their 30-day
review for UC placed in a restrictive setting. ORR revised the
formatting and added the following fields: ``Out-of-Network RTC
Provider,'' ``Case Manager Name,'' ``Case Coordinator Name,'' ``FFS
Name,'' ``Name and Title,'' and ``Date.''
12. Admission (Form S-18): This instrument is used by ORR grantee
case managers and clinicians to document the UC's initial needs,
functioning, and history. Other instruments are also accessible from
within the Admission instrument, such as transfer requests, travel
requests, and various child assessments. This is a new instrument that
ORR plans to add to this collection.
13. Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Referral (Form S-19):
This instrument is used by ORR grantee case managers to refer a UC for
a home study and/or post-release services. This is a new instrument
that ORR plans to add to this collection.
14. UC Authorized/Restricted Call List and Call Log (Form S-20):
This instrument is used by case managers to create a list of authorized
and restricted contacts to ensure safe communication for the UC and
document the details of phone calls made by a UC. This is a new
instrument that ORR plans to add to this collection.
15. Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Primary Provider
Entity (Form S-21A): This instrument is used by grantee HS/PRS
providers to add identifying information about their organization into
the UC Path system. Each organization only needs to be created once.
Field values may be updated as often as needed. This is a new
instrument that ORR plans to add to this collection.
16. Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Subcontractor Entity
(Form S-21B): Entity record. Each organization only needs to be created
once. Field values may be updated as often as needed. This is a new
instrument that ORR plans to add to this collection.
17. Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Primary Provider
Profile (Form S-21C): This instrument is used by HS/PRS providers to
add identifying information about caseworkers employed by their
organization. Each organization only needs to be created once. Field
values may be updated as often as needed. This is a new instrument that
ORR plans to add to this collection.
18. Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Subcontractor Profile
(Form S-21D): This instrument is used by HS/PRS providers to add
identifying information about caseworkers employed their sub-grantee
organizations. Each organization only needs to be created once. Field
values may be updated as often as needed. This is a new instrument that
ORR plans to add to this collection.
19. Post-Release Service (PRS) Event (Form S-22): This instrument
is used by post-release service caseworkers to document referrals made
and services provided at critical junctures of service provision, such
as 14-day, 6-month, 12-month, and closure. The instrument contains
auto-populated sponsor information and areas to document information
about the HS/PRS provider, reason for referral, the minor's placement
and safety status, and services areas addressed. This is a new
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instrument that ORR plans to add to this collection.
20. Case Manager Call Log and Case Notes (Form S-23): This
instrument is used by case managers to log any contact (in-person,
phone, video, social media, or mail) they make in relation to the UC's
case, including any related notes. This is a new instrument that ORR
plans to add to this collection.
21. Sponsor Application (Form S-24): This instrument is used by
care providers to document certain information and milestones in the
sponsor application process. This is a new instrument that ORR plans to
add to this collection. After publication of the 60-day Federal
Register Notice, ORR reorganized the ``Background Checks'' data entry
section of this instrument and removed the following fields: ``Date ARI
Form Uploaded,'' ``Days from Offered to Accepted,'' and ``Days from
Accepted to Occurred.''
22. Ohio Youth Assessment System (OYAS) Reentry Tool: No changes
were made to this instrument.
23. UC Case Status: ORR is discontinuing this instrument.
B. ORR plans to remove the term ``alien'' from the title of this
information collection and revise it to read ``Services Provided to
Unaccompanied Children.''
C. ORR intends to conduct a phased rollout of the UC Path system.
Beginning fall 2021, ORR plans to roll the UC Path system out to a
small group of care provider programs. ORR will gradually expand use of
the system to other programs and expects all care provider programs
will be using UC Path by spring 2022. To ensure continuity of
operations, care provider programs will need the ability to continue
using instruments in the UC Portal system and in other formats (e.g.,
PDF, Excel) while they are waiting to transition over to the UC Path
system. Therefore, ORR proposes continued use of the following
instruments, concurrently with the UC Path versions of the same
instruments, until all care provider programs are using UC Path.
1. Sponsor Assessment (Form S-5)
2. Home Study Report (Form S-6)
3. New Sponsor (Form S-7)
4. Initial Intakes Assessment (Form S-8)
5. Assessment for Risk (Form S-9)
6. UC Assessment (Form S-11)
7. UC Case Review (Form S-12)
8. Individual Service Plan (Form S-13)
9. Long Term Foster Care Travel Request (Form S-14)
Respondents: ORR grantee and contractor staff, UC, sponsors, and
child advocates.
Annual Burden Estimates
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Annual number Average
Annual number of responses burden Annual total
Information collection title of per minutes per burden hours
respondents respondent response
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Sponsor Assessment (Form S-5)................... 216 265 60 57,240
Home Study Assessment (Form S-6)................ 60 81 45 3,645
Adult Contact Profile (Form S-7)................ 216 1324 45 214,488
Initial Intakes Assessment (Form S-8)........... 216 278 20 20,016
Assessment for Risk (Form S-9).................. 216 556 45 90,072
UC Assessment (Form S-11)....................... 216 278 120 120,096
UC Case Review (Form S-12)...................... 216 556 120 240,192
Individual Service Plan (Form S-13)............. 216 694 20 49,968
Long Term Foster Care Travel Request (Form S-14) 30 8 20 80
Child Advocate Recommendation and Appointment 216 5 15 270
(Form S-15)....................................
Thirty Day Restrictive Placement Case Review 15 67 45 754
(Form S-16)....................................
Admission (Form S-18)........................... 216 278 20 20,016
Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) 216 68 20 4,896
Referral (Form S-19)...........................
UC Authorized/Restricted Call List and Call Log 216 6981 5 125,658
(Form S-20)....................................
Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Primary 9 1 5 1
Provider Entity (Form S-21A)...................
Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) 51 1 5 4
Subcontractor Entity (Form S-21B)..............
Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) Primary 9 13 5 10
Provider Profile (Form S-21C)..................
Home Study/Post-Release Service (HS/PRS) 51 13 5 55
Subcontractor Profile (Form S-21D).............
Post-Release Service (PRS) Event (Form S-22).... 60 968 60 58,080
Case Manager Call Log and Case Notes (Form S-23) 216 8426 5 151,668
Sponsor Application (Form S-24)................. 216 265 60 57,240
Ohio Youth Assessment System (OYAS) Reentry Tool 15 101 75 1,894
---------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Annual Burden Hours Total:........ .............. .............. .............. 1,216,343
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Authority: 6 U.S.C. 279; 8 U.S.C. 1232; Flores v. Reno Settlement
Agreement, No. CV85-4544-RJK (C.D. Cal. 1996).
Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-21282 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-45-P
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