Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Corporation for National and Community Service, operating as AmeriCorps, has submitted an information collection request (ICR) for the Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54849-54850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17264]


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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; Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering 
Supplement

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 an information collection request (ICR) 
for the Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering 
Supplement.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by September 24, 2026.

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 contacting Laura 
Schlachter, Ph.D., 202-855-2358, or by email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e6aab5858e8a87858e928394a6878b83948f8589949695c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d716e5e55515c5e5549584f7d5c50584f545e524f4d4e135a524b">[email&#160;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.
    A 60-day Notice requesting public comment on this information 
collection was published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2026 at 91 
FR 27309. The comment period ended July 13, 2026. Two public comments 
were received. Both comments emphasized the utility of the CEV for both 
research and practice, as well as the importance of AmeriCorps' 
continued investment of meaningful time and energy into the analysis 
and reporting of the supplement data. Commenters' primary concerns were 
related to the reduction in the number of questions about formal 
volunteering activity in the CEV relative to the 2017 version of the 
Volunteering supplement.
    The Serve America Act (2009) directs AmeriCorps to collect data 
that captures the broader concept of civic engagement (which includes 
but is not limited to formally volunteering through organizations). 
AmeriCorps' Office of Research and Evaluation recognizes that certain 
stakeholders would value more detailed data on formal volunteering. At 
this time, however, due to a policy Census introduced in 2022 to 
minimize respondent burden, AmeriCorps cannot add questions that would 
increase the length of the CEV. If Census recommendations change and 
resources allow AmeriCorps to add formal volunteering questions 
suggested by commenters in future rounds of data collection, the agency 
would seek a revision to reinstate two questions from the 2017 CEV 
about types of volunteer organizations (Q16b) and activities (Q16c). 
These questions underwent cognitive testing and validation as part of 
the original CEV design process and would generate valuable knowledge

[[Page 54850]]

about formal volunteering. In contrast, other questions suggested by 
commenters have not been validated, would substantially increase 
respondent burden, violate the 2022 Census supplement policy requiring 
CPS supplements to use behavioral measures, and/or are inconsistent 
with National Academy of Sciences recommendations that alternative data 
collections are better suited for attitudinal and outcome measures.
    Title of Collection: Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and 
Volunteering Supplement.
    OMB Control Number: 3045-0139.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 60,000.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 6,670.
    Abstract: AmeriCorps is mandated by the Serve America Act of 2009 
to facilitate the establishment of a Civic Health Assessment in 
partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship. AmeriCorps 
aggregates and presents key indicators of civic health through its 
Volunteering and Civic Life in America (VCLA) research. The agency 
makes reports, tables, and data publicly available on the AmeriCorps 
website. Specialized tables are made available upon request. The survey 
is the only source of nationally representative data on civic 
engagement trends across the United States and over time. Key measures 
include formally volunteering through an organization; informally 
interacting with family, friends, and neighbors; participating in 
associations; charitable giving; learning about and engaging with 
issues of public concern; and interacting with public and private 
institutions. AmeriCorps has partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau 
(Census) to collect data and publish reports on civic engagement trends 
since 2002. This request is a revision because AmeriCorps is seeking 
clearance of rephrased questions to expedite testing in the event that 
Census introduces an internet self-response mode to the CEV before this 
OMB Control Number expires. Census is currently field-testing an 
internet self-response mode for the core CPS module as part of its 
modernization efforts. AmeriCorps is directed by Congress to collect 
data and produce reports on the nation's civic health (Authority: 42 
U.S.C. 12639(a); 13 U.S.C. 8(b), 182; 29 U.S.C. 1.). The currently 
approved information collection is due to expire on August 31, 2026.

Mary Hyde,
Director, Office of Research and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 2026-17264 Filed 8-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P


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