Notice2023-14776
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application Package for AmeriCorps Seniors Application Instructions, Progress Reporting, Independent Living and Respite Surveys
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
July 12, 2023
Issuing agencies
Corporation for National and Community Service
Abstract
The Corporation for National and Community Service, operating as AmeriCorps, has submitted a public information collection request (ICR) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44290-44292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14776]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Application Package for AmeriCorps Seniors Application
Instructions, Progress Reporting, Independent Living and Respite
Surveys
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service, operating
as AmeriCorps, has submitted a public
[[Page 44291]]
information collection request (ICR) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office
listed in the ADDRESSES section by August 11, 2023.
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: Copies of this ICR, with applicable
supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling AmeriCorps, Robin
Corindo, at (202) 489-5578 or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a7869657863646e654a696479246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="097b6a667b60676d66496a677a276e667f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in
comments which:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
<bullet> 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;
<bullet> Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> Propose ways to 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.
Comments
A 60-day Notice requesting public comment was published in the
Federal Register on April 27, 2023 at 88 FR 25625. This comment period
ended June 27, 2023. The Notice received 32 public comments, of which
26 were identical. Of the other comments, one was in support and one
was without specific comment. The others detailed how completing the
Progress Report Supplement (PRS) is a burden. AmeriCorps Seniors agrees
that the reporting reporting requirements of the PRS may be burdensome
and is therefore reducing the number of questions it requires within
it. The PRS is the only document with proposed revisions.
Comment: AmeriCorps Seniors grants are awarded for a three-year
period with required annual budget submissions. ASPN questions the
value and additional time needed to update the grant application and
workplan submission annually. With a three-year performance period,
ASPN proposes for a grantee to submit an annual budget application and
an executive summary to update amended community needs and changes
instead of the entire grant application. This change would not only
reduce the time needed of grantee staff, but also regional staff grant
reviewers.
AmeriCorps Response: AmeriCorps is in the process of modernizing
our grant management systems. As part of the modernization effort,
AmeriCorps will propose that grantees submit a simplified budget
application and an update through a simplified amendment process,
rather than an entire grant continuation application.
Comment: While the Progress Report at the end of a grant year is
straightforward, there is confusion as to how much information is
needed in the narrative section. Instructions about the examples of
info that is most helpful in the narrative sections would be welcome.
AmeriCorps Response: In addition to Progress Report Instructions
and training, AmeriCorps provides Appendix A.4--AmeriCorps Seniors
Progress Report Tips in each Program Handbook. This document shares
examples about what information is worth considering for the narrative
sections of the Progress Report. In addition, grantees can also speak
with their Portfolio Manager about the type and extent of information
they should include.
Comment: The Progress Report Supplement has been referred to as
many different things over the years. With current Performance Measure
workplans being very specific as to the special needs served by
volunteers, this complete demographic report is burdensome for both
program and station staff. ASPN has been told that there is no way for
[AmeriCorps] to aggregate the data reported into a national needs
snapshot. As such, ASPN strongly believes that if [AmeriCorps is]
unable to aggregate this data, programs should not be asked to collect
it. The current reporting dates do not take into account grant years;
therefore, programs are reporting on portions of two different grant
years, causing the information to often be incorrect. Demographics of
the volunteers should be rolled into the annual Progress Report. The
PPR-S should be eliminated and would reduce the administrative burden
for both grantees and agency staff.
AmeriCorps Response: AmeriCorps can and does aggregate the
demographic section of the Progress Report Supplement (PRS). We are in
the process of updating our grant management systems so that volunteer
information can be entered directly into the system. AmeriCorps Seniors
anticipates that this will eliminate the need for the PRS and reduce
the administrative burden for grantees and agency staff.
Comment: Independent Living and Respite Surveys: [Senior Companion
Program] (SCP) directors report that national workplans do not require
all the information requested on these surveys. If the workplan does
not request the information, it would be best if those questions were
eliminated from the survey and would possibly result in a better return
on the number of clients completing the surveys. As Senior Companions
serve those with dementia, it is often the caregiver of the client that
completes this survey. In an effort to [lessen] caregiver burden, a
shortened survey could be more easily completed which would then, in
turn, produce a better response rate.
AmeriCorps Response: AmeriCorps Seniors disagrees that, at only 13
questions, this survey is too burdensome. Nevertheless, AmeriCorps
Seniors will review the Independent Living and Respite Survey, and is
interested in the specific questions which SCP Directors propose to be
eliminated.
Title of Collection: Application Package for AmeriCorps Seniors
Applications Instructions, Progress Reporting, Independent Living and
Respite Surveys.
OMB Control Number: 3045-0143. Type of Review: Renewal with change.
Respondents/Affected Public: Organizations and State, Local or
Tribal Governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,250.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 6,250.
Abstract: The AmeriCorps Seniors Grant Application is used by
prospective and existing sponsors of AmeriCorps Seniors projects under
the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (RSVP), AmeriCorps Seniors FGP (FGP),
AmeriCorps Seniors (SCP), and AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Demonstration
Program (SDP). The Project Progress Report and Project Report
Supplement will be used to report progress toward accomplishing work
plan goals and objectives, reporting volunteer and service outputs,
[[Page 44292]]
reporting actual outcomes of self-nominated performance measures,
meeting challenges encountered, describing significant activities, and
requesting technical assistance. The Application Instructions and PPR
and PRS forms in this package conform to AmeriCorps' web-based
electronic grants management system. The SCP Independent Living Survey
and SCP Respite Survey are instruments that collect information from a
sample of Senior Companion clients and caregivers. The purpose of the
surveys is to assess the feasibility of conducting a longitudinal,
quasi-experimental evaluation of the impact of independent living and
respite services on clients' social ties and perceived social support.
The results of the surveys may also be used to inform the feasibility
of using a similar instrument to measure client and caregiver outcomes
for an evaluation of RSVP. AmeriCorps seeks to renew the current
information collection with revisions. The revisions are intended to
capture the socioeconomic status of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. The
information collection will otherwise be used in the same manner as the
existing application. AmeriCorps also seeks to continue using the
current application until the revised application is approved by OMB.
The current application is due to expire on March 31, 2025.
Danielle Melfi,
Chief Program Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-14776 Filed 7-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P
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