Notice2022-10620
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Civil Rights and Equity
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
May 18, 2022
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentFederal Emergency Management Agency
Abstract
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will submit the information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice seeks comments concerning FEMA's collection of demographic characteristics of those who apply for the Agency's programs or disaster assistance.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30246-30251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10620]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
[Docket ID: FEMA-2022-0006; OMB No. 1660-NW133]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Civil Rights and Equity
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will submit the
information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and
Budget for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice seeks comments
concerning FEMA's collection of demographic characteristics of those
who apply for the Agency's programs or disaster assistance.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 17, 2022.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection should be made to Director,
Information Management Division, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472,
email address <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d395969e92fe9abdb5bca1beb2a7babcbdfe90bcbfbfb6b0a7babcbda0fe9eb2bdb2b4b6beb6bda793b5b6beb2fdb7bba0fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4107040c006c082f272e332c2035282e2f6c022e2d2d242235282e2f326c0c202f2026242c242f350127242c206f2529326f262e37">[email protected]</span></a> or
Brian Thompson, Supervisory Emergency Management Specialist, Recovery
Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 540-686-3602,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6c2e1e050d0242380403011c1f03025a2c0a09010d4208041f420b031a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7331011a121d5d271b1c1e03001c1d453315161e125d171b005d141c05">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA proposes to collect demographic
information from those who apply for benefits to improve its approach
to ensuring compliance with its civil rights, nondiscrimination and
equity requirements, and obligations as outlined in federal civil
rights laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C.
2000d, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.
[[Page 30247]]
794, and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (the Stafford Act). Such demographic data concerning
individuals who participate in or benefit from the Agency's programs
and activities will increase FEMA's ability to evaluate the
accessibility and distributional equity of their programs and then make
alterations or pivot based upon identified areas of concern, thereby
demonstrating compliance with civil rights laws.
This proposed information collection previously published in the
Federal Register on January 25, 2022, at 87 FR 3836 with a 60-day
public comment period. FEMA received 32 comments from the public.
Certain comments question the utility and relevance of collecting
demographic information from disaster survivors in the context of the
equitable and efficient delivery of FEMA's disaster response.\1\
Further, the comments ask questions about FEMA's current use of data
collected from disasters survivors and how this additional demographic
information impacts data being collected by the agency.
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\1\ Comment 1 (FEMA-2022-0006-0002), Comment 2 (FEMA-2022-0006-
0003, Comment 3 (FEMA-2022-0006-0004), Comment 7 (FEMA-2022-0006-
0008), Comment 8 (FEMA-2022-0006-0009), Comment 14 (FEMA-2022-0006-
0015), Comment 15 (FEMA-2022-0006-0016).
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FEMA Response: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (Stafford Act), Public Law 93-288, as amended, is the
legal basis for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to
provide financial assistance and services to individuals applying for
disaster assistance benefits in the event of a Federally-declared
disaster. Regulations in 44 CFR 206.110--Federal Assistance to
Individuals and Households implements the policy and procedures set
forth in Section 408 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5174, as amended.
This program provides financial assistance and, if necessary, direct
assistance to eligible individuals and households who, as a direct
result of a major disaster or emergency, have uninsured or under-
insured, necessary expenses and serious needs, and are unable to meet
such expenses or needs through other means.
This collection is to ensure that FEMA is equitably reaching all
communities and people who require assistance. Affirmatively, upon the
approval of this generic clearance, FEMA will obtain information about
the demographic characteristics of those who apply for disaster
assistance grants; but FEMA will continue to provide financial
assistance and services only to those eligible individuals and
households who, as a direct result of a major disaster or emergency,
have uninsured or under-insured, necessary expenses and serious needs,
and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means, in
accordance with the law. In addition to informing survivors of their
privacy rights, this collection also notifies applicants that their
response or lack of response to demographic questions will neither
positively nor negatively influence their eligibility for grant
assistance. Each question has a `prefer not to answer' response as well
in case an applicant wishes to not respond to one or more of the
demographic questions.
Among other things, the collection will support FEMA's obligation
to assess its policies and programs and ensure that access to and
participation in the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) are
accomplished in an equitable and impartial manner in accordance with
Section 308(a) of the Stafford Act that requires FEMA disaster
assistance, including ``the distribution of supplies, the processing of
applications, and other relief and assistance activities'' by FEMA and
recipients of FEMA financial assistance, and ``be accomplished in an
equitable and impartial manner, without discrimination on the grounds
of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English
proficiency, or economic status.'' This will ultimately guide more
informed and effective disaster policies that do not exclude or
minimize any demographic or section of a community.
As correctly pointed out by the public in these comments, FEMA has
historically held the responsibility of meeting civil rights
obligations. Its nondiscrimination and equity requirements and
obligations are outlined in federal civil rights laws, such as the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders. The collection of this
information is crucial to FEMA's aim of fulfilling our obligations and
will permit its program grant offices to identify and remove barriers
to application, qualification, and award, and permitting activities
directly affecting disaster survivors to identify and remove barriers
to equity and enhance programmatic accessibility. As correctly pointed
out by the public in these comments, FEMA has historically held the
responsibility of meeting civil rights obligations. Its
nondiscrimination and equity requirements and obligations are outlined
in federal civil rights laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, as well as relevant Executive
Orders. The collection of this information is crucial to FEMA's aim of
fulfilling our obligations and will permit its program grant offices to
identify and remove barriers to application, qualification, and award,
and permitting activities directly affecting disaster survivors to
identify and remove barriers to equity and enhance programmatic
accessibility.
Comment 4 (FEMA-2022-0006-0005): The commenter suggested the ``data
collection on race or disability status that it creates more challenges
for people in those sectors of life; we should ask for an
administrative procedure act to be done so congress can review this. I
would like to know how data collected will be used as this needs to be
outlined before any disclosure.
FEMA Response: FEMA will obtain information about the demographic
characteristics of those who apply for disaster assistance grants in
accordance with the law. FEMA uses and shares information with entities
such as states, tribes, local governments, and other organizations.
FEMA intends to add demographic questions to existing data collections
for grant programs. Questions will be included towards the end of a
grant collection form and Privacy Act language will clearly notify
applicants that their response or lack of response to demographic
questions will not influence their eligibility for grant assistance.
Each question has a `prefer not to answer' response as well in case an
applicant wishes to not respond to one or more of the demographic
questions. Such information is necessary to assess and enforce FEMA's
civil rights obligations; its nondiscrimination and equity requirements
and obligations as outlined in federal civil rights laws, such as the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders. Collection of this information
will also allow grant offices to identify and remove barriers to
application, qualification and award, and permitting activities
directly affecting disaster survivors to identify and remove barriers
to equity and enhance programmatic accessibility.
Comment 5 (FEMA-2022-0006-0006): The fifth comment was not
applicable to this collection.
Comment 6 (FEMA-2022-0006-0007): The sixth comment was not
applicable to this collection.
Comment 9 (FEMA-2022-0006-0010): The commenter suggested that in
[[Page 30248]]
addition to asking about race/ethnicity, gender, education, and marital
status, would strongly encourage the collection of data regarding, Age,
Number of People in the Household (and indicating whether any of the
people in the household are children), Homeownership/Renter Status, and
Disability Status. All of these factors strongly influence pre and post
disaster outcomes, and hence are incredibly important for the agency to
collect. Finally, for the gender question, ``Woman'' or ``Man'' would
be more appropriate than ``Female'' or ``Male''.''
FEMA Response: In accordance with the law, to include the Privacy
Act, FEMA collects all the other data fields suggested except for
gender.
Comment 10 (FEMA-2022-0006-0011): The commenter suggested
separating the Cognitive/Developmental Disabilities/Mental Health
categories into Cognitive/Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health/
Behavioral Health; clarifying on all forms that an individual may
select all disabilities or conditions that may apply; that FEMA include
broad ranges of income among the demographic variables collected; FEMA
may wish to ask about health insurance status.
FEMA Response: FEMA does not intend to separate Cognitive
Developmental Disability from Mental Health/Behavioral Health. FEMA
currently collects data information on whether or not someone has
medical insurance. While FEMA asks about medical insurance, the
instructions inform applicants to select all that apply.
Comment 11 (FEMA-2022-0006-0012): The eleventh comment was not
applicable to this collection.
Comment 12 (FEMA-2022-0006-0013): The commenter suggested we
believe that this data collection is (A) necessary for the proper
performance of the agency, including that the collection and use of
this data will have practical utility; (B) useful and that a few
additional data collection points may be identified and added to this
proposal at minimum expense if incorporated with this proposed change;
(C) this data will enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (D) the collection techniques
identified will minimize the burden of collection.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 13 (FEMA-2022-0006-0014): The commenter suggested that to
fully meet the nondiscrimination requirements of the Stafford Act, FEMA
should also ask for applicants' age in addition to race, ethnicity, and
gender. FEMA should publicly commit to making demographic data, absent
personal identifying information (PII), available via the OpenFEMA data
portal on an ongoing basis. FEMA should also implement a transparent
process for sharing applicant data, including PII data, with qualified
research institutions to ensure the data are utilized to their full
potential and to also ensure the Agency's accountability to the Civil
Rights Act and the Stafford Act. FEMA should work with other federal
agencies, like HUD and the Small Business Administration (SBA), to
further enhance the utilization of these demographic data.
FEMA Response: FEMA is strengthening interagency data-sharing to
support improved modeling and information sharing. FEMA collects the
applicant's age during registration intake. FEMA does not release this
data via OpenFEMA and does not intend to do so.
Comment 16 (FEMA-2022-0006-0017): The commenter appreciates the
value of the data collected for the purpose of determining whether
minority populations are adversely impacted relative to relief provided
by FEMA. Determining the magnitude of the problem and identifying its
source is necessary before change can occur.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 17 (FEMA-2022-0006-0018): The commenter suggested providing
the specific information that FEMA proposes to collect; clarifying how
this information will be used to prevent discrimination and how it will
benefit survivors. Clarify whether the additional questions will be
optional or required for eligibility of FEMA benefits. Survivors have a
wide range of experience and reading/writing/and language
comprehension. Explain how FEMA will ensure that the additional
questions will not be intimidating to/uncomfortable for survivors. If
FEMA chooses to ask about citizenship, explain how it plans to ensure
that this does not deter applicants from applying. Ensure the data
collection process will be trauma informed. FEMA's forms should be
reviewed by a panel of advocates from non-profit agencies who work with
these unserved/underserved populations to include considerations for
cultural competence, language, age, disability, literacy level, housing
status, etc.
FEMA Response: FEMA does not currently collect data about
citizenship of an applicant or household members and is not adding a
citizenship question via this collection. FEMA will obtain information
about the demographic characteristics of those who apply for disaster
assistance grants in accordance with the law, to include Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act. FEMA uses and shares information with entities
such as states, tribes, local governments, and other organizations.
FEMA intends to add demographic questions to existing data collections
for grant programs. Questions will be included towards the end of a
grant collection form and Privacy Act language will clearly notify
applicants that their response or lack of response to demographic
questions will not influence their eligibility for grant assistance.
Each question has a `prefer not to answer' response as well in case an
applicant wishes to not respond to one or more of the demographic
questions. Such information is necessary to assess and enforce FEMA's
civil rights obligations; its nondiscrimination and equity requirements
and obligations as outlined in federal civil rights laws, such as the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders. Collection of this information
will also allow grant offices to identify and remove barriers to
application, qualification and award, and permitting activities
directly affecting disaster survivors to identify and remove barriers
to equity and enhance programmatic accessibility. FEMA forms are
reviewed by appropriate entities within the Agency, DHS, and OMB, to
include the Office of Equal Rights and External Affairs.
Comment 18 (FEMA-2022-0006-0019): The commenter strongly supports
the collection of additional data, including information on race,
ethnicity, Tribal membership, gender, age, income, disability status,
status as a female headed household or not, and status as a renter or
not.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 19 (FEMA-2022-0006-0020): The commenter strongly supports
FEMA collecting demographic information from those who apply for
benefits. Unless FEMA understands applicants' demographics, it will not
be possible to ensure that FEMA benefits are equitably distributed and
helping those who need it most.
[[Page 30249]]
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 20 (FEMA-2022-0006-0021): The commenter implores FEMA to
include a category for individuals of ``Middle Eastern or North
African'' (MENA) descent to identify among the list of racial and
ethnic group categories into which they disaggregate demographic data
collected under this information collection activity.
FEMA Response: FEMA's Individual Assistance program has added
demographic application questions related to the race, ethnicity, and
tribal membership. In the future, FEMA will aim to identify and address
potential access barriers and disparate outcomes based on the
information collected, instead of only collecting data that directly
supported the implementation of the program. FEMA will be adding the
ethnic group question to the data collection for submission to the
Office of Management & Budget (OMB).
Comment 21 (FEMA-2022-0006-0022): The commenter suggested that to
ensure FEMA is fulfilling nondiscriminatory obligations, an opportunity
must be afforded to applicants to disclose specific demographic
information. Publicly available information from FEMA could assist in
ensuring access to justice in a disaster. FEMA has an opportunity to
improve the operational outcomes for vulnerable communities by
implementing inclusive processes. Inclusive demographics, as a metric,
is a quantitative measure that can provide certainty of FEMA's legal
obligations to ensure that disaster assistance is distributed in an
equitable manner without discrimination.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 22 (FEMA-2022-0006-0023): The commenter strongly supports
the additional collection of data by FEMA, particularly as applied to
race, ethnicity, tribal status, and gender identity. The collection of
the proposed data, its application to FEMA emergency response
practices, and its matching with HUD data in support of long-term
recovery and mitigation is one more step toward more equitable and
effective program design and resources application. As this data is
integrated into the recently implemented FEMA and HUD data matching,
both should establish procedures to make this data (with personal
identifying information (PII) redacted) available to the public. We
applaud FEMA's additional data collection, and we hope that this new
data collection will help spur continued improvements in data
transparency.
FEMA Response: FEMA is undertaking an assessment of equity outcomes
of several mitigation, federal insurance, preparedness, and grant
programs. Based on the National Advisory Council (NAC) recommendations
and other inputs, efforts to improve equity outcomes will include:
Engaging with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners by
discussing key elements of the new Building Resilient Infrastructure
and Communities (BRIC) program, providing a grant program and funding
priority overview, preparing underserved applicants to apply for
disaster assistance, and publishing the Mitigation Action Portfolio, a
new resource to introduce stakeholders to the BRIC grant program and
the array of eligible hazard mitigation activities. Furthermore, the
FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Tribal Partner Team is developing
a training plan for internal staff to better understand tribal nations'
government structures, heritage, and culture.
Comment 23 (FEMA-2022-0006-0024): The commenter is pleased to
respond to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) request for
comments on FEMA's proposed collection of demographic characteristics
of those who apply for the Agency's programs or disaster assistance; to
fulfill its Congressional mandate and ensure that federal disaster
relief truly serves the most vulnerable, FEMA must collect the
information necessary to assess its activities; applaud FEMA's efforts
in moving forward to ensure this obligation is met.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 24 (FEMA-2022-0006-0025): The commenter suggested that FEMA
should explicitly seek to assist those who were most vulnerable before
a disaster. We recommend consideration of an approach like Housing and
Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
program, which ensures a majority of its funding goes to primarily
benefit low- and moderate-income households. FEMA must also consider
collecting demographic information in its hazard mitigation programs,
such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient
Infrastructure and Communities programs.
FEMA Response: FEMA and stakeholders are reviewing changes to the
Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the
Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) to capture vulnerabilities,
capability gaps, and target levels of capability for at-risk
communities and ensure equitable funding distribution related to
planning, preparedness, mitigation, and recovery outcomes.
Comment 25 (FEMA-2022-0006-0026): The twenty-fifth comment received
is a duplicate of the twenty-fourth comment.
Comment 26 (FEMA-2022-0006-0027): The commenter suggested that
FEMA's proposal to add the additional demographic questions to the
Individual and Households Program registration will help promote
transparency and analysis towards improving equity in its programs.
FEMA is meeting this equity requirement. Demographic questions should
be added to every form of the application, whether the applicant
applies online through <a href="http://disasterassistance.gov">disasterassistance.gov</a>, via phone through the
FEMA helpline, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center. Because
application barriers are most likely to affect underserved populations,
equity would be furthered by broadening demographic information
collection to include everyone who begins the application for FEMA
benefits, including those who do not ultimately receive a registration
number. Applicants see ``Identification Verification Error'' on their
screen with a vague explanation that FEMA is unable to verify important
information needed to complete the online registration. FEMA could make
demographic information regarding applicants' race, income, gender,
age, and disability-status available via OpenFEMA data sets.
FEMA Response: FEMA is considering policy recommendations that
better align funding distribution to support at-risk communities. These
recommendations include providing for the security and needs of
underserved and historically marginalized communities more effectively;
the assessment will investigate barriers to program participation
including program awareness, ease of application, eligibility, and
qualification requirements, as well as identifying where funding has
not been previously awarded. FEMA is strengthening interagency data-
sharing to support improved modeling and information sharing. FEMA
collects the applicant's age during registration intake. Currently,
FEMA does not release this data via OpenFEMA or research institutions.
[[Page 30250]]
Comment 27 (FEMA-2022-0006-0028): The commenter understands the
need of a FEMA effort to collect demographic information to ensure
compliance with Federal civil rights requirements and the equitable
implementation of emergency management policies and programs; however,
there does need to be further discussion in how such data will be used
post collection and incorporated in grant timelines.
FEMA Response: FEMA is currently developing a comprehensive
approach to advancing equity using the requirements of Executive Order
(E.O.) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal Government, issued on January 20, 2021.
Determining if new or updated policies, regulations, or guidance
documents are necessary to advance equity in agency actions and
programs; reviewing strategies of resource allocation to increase
investment that advance equity in underserved communities; consulting
with members of historically underrepresented and underserved
communities to evaluate opportunities and develop approaches to
advancing equity by increasing coordination, communication, and
engagement with community-based and civil rights organizations;
studying FEMA data collection programs, policies, and infrastructure,
identifying any deficiencies, and working to implement actions that
expand and refine data used to measure equity.
Comment 28 (FEMA-2022-0006-0029): The commenter suggested regarding
the Data Collection that FEMA has not yet said who will have access to
the demographic data, what the data will be used for, and what training
there will be for those handling the data. Private demographic data may
create impenetrable insulation for FEMA decision making, meaning any
time claims of inequity or discrimination are levied against FEMA or
one of FEMA's programs, FEMA could use this data as a shield justifying
its actions.
FEMA Response: FEMA will obtain information about the demographic
characteristics of those who apply for disaster assistance grants in
accordance with the law, to include the Privacy Act. FEMA uses and
shares information with entities such as states, tribes, local
governments, and other organizations. FEMA intends to add demographic
questions to existing data collections for grant programs. Questions
will be included towards the end of a grant collection form and Privacy
Act language will clearly notify applicants that their response or lack
of response to demographic questions will not influence their
eligibility for grant assistance. Each question has a `prefer not to
answer' response as well in case an applicant wishes to not respond to
one or more of the demographic questions. Such information is necessary
to assess and enforce FEMA's civil rights obligations; its
nondiscrimination and equity requirements and obligations as outlined
in federal civil rights laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, as well as relevant Executive
Orders. Collection of this information will also allow grant offices to
identify and remove barriers to application, qualification and award,
and permitting activities directly affecting disaster survivors to
identify and remove barriers to equity and enhance programmatic
accessibility.
Comment 29 (FEMA-2022-0006-0030): The commenter strongly supports
the proposal to collect demographic data, including data on race,
ethnicity, and gender, from applicants for FEMA's Individuals and
Households Program (IHP). Collecting this data is critical to the
agency's ability to comply with its civil rights obligations under
federal law, as well as compliance with Executive Orders 13985, 13990,
and 14008. FEMA is unable to accurately assess its compliance with
civil rights, nondiscrimination, and equity requirements and
obligations without collecting this data. FEMA should collect
additional demographic data in order to fully meet the
nondiscrimination requirements of the Stafford Act and other civil
rights and equity requirements and obligations, and make data publicly
available. FEMA has a legal and ethical obligation to ensure that its
programs are equitable and nondiscriminatory. FEMA's proposed data
collection is necessary and appropriate.
FEMA Response: From FEMA Directive #262-1: Data Sharing to the
maximum extent possible, FEMA will make non-sensitive data available,
in multiple formats, to the public, in order to promote transparency,
and to enhance the whole community's ability to make informed decisions
on prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery
efforts. FEMA Program Offices will publish non-sensitive, non-PII
information online in a manner that promotes analysis and reuse for the
widest possible range of purposes, meaning that the information is
publicly accessible, machine-readable, appropriately described,
complete, and timely.
Comment 30 (FEMA-2022-0006-0031): The commenter applauds FEMA's
efforts to address longstanding equity concerns with the agency's
provision of services and funding. The first step, however, to
addressing these concerns is understanding the nature and extent of the
problem. To that end, we support the agency's decision to begin
collecting demographic data of aid recipients. FEMA has a legal
obligation to administer its programs in an equitable manner. FEMA must
collect data that allows it to accurately track who receives its
funding. In order to meet its obligations under Title VI and other
nondiscrimination statutes, FEMA must collect demographic information.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly working to improve our delivery
of assistance and streamline our processes for disaster applicants and
appreciates your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 31 (FEMA-2022-0006-0032): The commenter suggested FEMA
should regularly collect data and partner with researchers to
investigate and track whether policies, programs, and regulations are
achieving equitable outcomes; recommends that FEMA develop a robust
evaluation plan that includes data collection, identification of equity
benchmarks, and metrics and measures to assist with reporting.
FEMA Response: FEMA's Office of Equal Rights coordinated and hosted
three civil rights summits for external stakeholders. Motivated by
FEMA's core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect, the
civil rights summits sought to engage FEMA and its stakeholders in
collaborative dialogue aimed at identifying actual and perceived biases
impacting equal access to FEMA's programs and services. The goal of the
summits was to start a conversation about equity, equal access, and
implementation with members of the public with first-hand knowledge
about how FEMA can better meet the needs of underserved and
historically marginalized communities before, during, and after
disasters. The summits focused on three areas: Multi-cultural
communities, disability communities, and environmental justice issues
throughout disasters. The sessions included presentations from the main
FEMA program offices that serve survivors and senior level panel
discussions stemming from questions presented by attendees.
Comment 32 (FEMA-2022-0006-0033): The thirty-second comment was not
applicable to this collection.
The purpose of this notice is to notify the public that FEMA will
submit the information collection abstracted below
[[Page 30251]]
to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance.
Collection of Information
Title: Generic Clearance for Civil Rights and Equity.
Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
OMB Number: 1660-NW133.
FEMA Forms: Under the Generic Clearance, each FEMA component will
submit their specific forms for the collection of demographics. FEMA
Form: FF-256-FY-21-100, Generic Clearance Civil Rights and Equity. The
Agency is prepared to add these questions to the Individuals and
Households program registration, FF-104-FY-21-123 (formerly FEMA Form
009-0-1T (English)), Tele-Registration, Disaster Assistance
Registration, FF-104-FY-21-125 (formerly FEMA Form 009-0-1Int
(English)), internet, Disaster Assistance Registration, FF-104-FY-21-
122 (formerly FEMA Form 009-0-1 (English)), Paper Application/Disaster
Assistance Registration. The demographic data will help the Individuals
and Households program improve operational outcomes for vulnerable
communities by using analysis of demographic data against program
outcomes to evaluate whether any disparities in eligibility
determinations appear to impact vulnerable communities. FEMA would then
use this data to determine how to improve service delivery for all
survivors. FEMA expects a burden of no more than 5 minutes per
registration to answer the additional questions, with the entire
estimated annual burden outlined below.
Abstract: The Federal Emergency Management Agency will use the
demographic characteristics collected from applicants and beneficiaries
to assess its civil rights, nondiscrimination and equity requirements,
and obligations as outlined in federal civil rights laws such as the
Civil Rights Act, Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act.
Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 938,800.
Estimated Number of Responses: 938,800.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 78,202.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost: $3,176,565.
Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs: $0.
Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs: $0.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $3,814,696.
Comments
Comments may be submitted as indicated in the ADDRESSES caption
above. Comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data
collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency,
including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b)
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
Millicent Brown Wilson,
Records Management Branch Chief, Office of the Chief Administrative
Officer, Mission Support, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2022-10620 Filed 5-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-24-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 18, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.