Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; AmeriCorps VISTA Criminal History Acknowledgement Form

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Corporation for National and Community Service (operating as AmeriCorps) is proposing a new information collection for AmeriCorps VISTA sponsors and certain categories of candidates for VISTA service.

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 197 (Wednesday, October 14, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 14, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65183-65184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21002]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and 
Approval; AmeriCorps VISTA Criminal History Acknowledgement Form

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

[[Page 65184]]


ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Corporation for National and Community Service (operating as 
AmeriCorps) is proposing a new information collection for AmeriCorps 
VISTA sponsors and certain categories of candidates for VISTA service.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by November 13, 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: Elizabeth Southall, Acting Director 
VISTA Member Service Unit, AmeriCorps, 202-606-3835, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e085938f959488818c8ca0818d859289838f929093ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9efbedf1ebeaf6fff2f2defff3fbecf7fdf1eceeedb0f9f1e8">[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 was published in the 
Federal Register on July 15, 2026, at 91 FR 43364. The comment period 
ended September 14, 2026. Three comments were received in response to 
that notice. One comment asked whether candidates are provided an 
opportunity to dispute inaccurate court records, clarify probation 
terms, or appeal a supervisor's negative Part C recommendation before 
being formally disqualified from AmeriCorps VISTA service. No change to 
the information collection is needed to address this comment because 
when the candidate receives their background check results directly 
from ``Checkr'', they can dispute a finding through that system if they 
believe information on their background check is inaccurate, 
incomplete, or belongs to someone else. Additionally, the CHAF form 
provides a mechanism for candidates to address any discrepancies and 
provide clarification, encouraging dialogue between the candidate and 
Partner organization to engage in a transparent interactive process in 
which any discrepancies can be discussed, documented and elevated to 
VISTA if necessary. Another comment expressed concern that the form 
requires local non-profit or municipal site supervisors who are not 
trained in criminal record evaluations to justify acceptance or 
rejection based on a candidate's criminal history. In fact, the form 
does not require local site supervisors to make legal determinations 
regarding a candidate's criminal history. The criminal history 
information has already been processed through the criminal system. 
Site supervisors provide site-specific information and a recommendation 
concerning whether a candidate is suitable for service at that 
particular site; they do not make the final determination regarding the 
candidate's eligibility or suitability for VISTA service. AmeriCorps 
VISTA retains final decision-making authority consistent with the 
applicable statutory and program requirements as outlined in the 
Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA), the National and Community 
Service Act of 1990, as amended. The third comment expressed concern 
regarding exposure of sensitive information to local host sites. 
AmeriCorps VISTA partners are required to comply with AmeriCorps and 
applicable federal regulations governing the handling of sensitive 
information.
    Title of Collection: AmeriCorps VISTA Criminal History 
Acknowledgment Form.
    OMB Control Number: 3045-NEW.
    Type of Review: New.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses and Organizations, State, 
Local or Tribal Governments; Individuals and Households.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 240.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 120.
    Abstract: The AmeriCorps VISTA Criminal History Acknowledgment Form 
(CHAF) is part of a new process that increases sponsor autonomy in 
AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer (member) selection and standardizes data 
collection for more efficient workflow and prompt adjudication of 
criminal history issues. The CHAF must be completed by VISTA sponsors 
when a candidate for VISTA service either fails to report their 
criminal history on their application or is noted to have a criminal 
history involving certain violent or serious offenses. In the latter 
case, a VISTA candidate reports the offense, its date, the final court 
judgment, and the legal status of each offense in Part A of the CHAF. 
In Part B, they accept the AmeriCorps VISTA conditions for serving with 
a criminal history special consideration.
    On Part C of the form, the VISTA sponsor or site supervisor 
provides a recommendation to accept or reject the candidate based on 
the disclosed criminal history. They must include an explanation of why 
they consider the candidate to be (or not be) a good fit for their 
program in light of the disclosed criminal history and, if they 
recommend acceptance, what measures they will have in place to support 
a successful service term for the candidate and appropriate 
supervision.
    Part D is a personal narrative that applicants who have noted a 
criminal history involving violence must complete.

Brendan Murphy,
Acting Director, AmeriCorps VISTA.
[FR Doc. 2026-21002 Filed 10-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P


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