Agency Information Collection Activities: Employment and Training Performance Measurement, Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

AGENCY:

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection for annual outcome data for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) programs.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before January 25, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted to Moira Johnston, Director, SNAP, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314, via email to moira.johnston@usda.gov, or via fax to 703-305-2515. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov,, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Moira Johnston at 703-305-2515.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions that were used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Title: SNAP E&T Performance Measure, Monitoring, and Reporting Requirements.

Form Number: Not applicable.

OMB Number: 0584-0614.

Expiration Date: 12/31/2022.

Type of Request: Extension, without change, of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Section 16(h)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations at 7 CFR 273.7(c)(17) require State agencies to submit annual outcome reports to monitor the effectiveness of SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs. State agencies must maintain records in order to support data reported in the annual outcome reports. The information collected on the annual outcome report includes: (1) The number and percentage of E&T participants who retain employment 2 quarters and 4 quarters after completing E&T; (2) the median wages for participants with earnings 2 quarters after completion of E&T; (3) the number and percentage of participants that completed a training, education, work experience or on-the-job training component; (4) certain unique characteristics of SNAP E&T participants; and (5) additional reporting requirements for State agencies that pledge to serve all at-risk Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs). State agencies are also required to identify appropriate outcome reporting measures for each proposed component that is intended to serve a threshold number of participants of at least 100 a year. The reporting measures for these components are identified in State agencies' E&T annual plans (OMB Control Number 0584-0083, expiration 8/31/2023) and the outcome data are reported to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in State agencies' annual outcome reports. State agencies are required to submit outcome reports to FNS Regional Offices annually.

Using the information from the annual outcome reports, as well as information contained within States' Employment and Training Plans and quarterly Program Activity Reports (FNS-583) collected through the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS) (OMB Control Number 0584-0594, expiration 07/31/2023), FNS conducts an analysis to identify and resolve technical or programmatic issues with the data as reported by the State agencies. Once data issues are resolved FNS prepares an Outcome Summary Report and a Technical Assistance Report for each State agency that highlights the State's outcome data and identifies areas for improvement. The expectation is that State agencies will use these reports for continuous program improvement. This process is critical to building a more effective E&T operation nationally that will help move more individuals into the workforce. FNS is not seeking to modify the FNS-583 (OMB Control Number 0584-0594, expiration 7/31/2023) data collection through this request.

State agencies use a combination of methods to collect the outcome data, including existing automated data systems, new data collection, sampling methods, and some direct contact with SNAP E&T participants. FNS estimates that the burden associated with these activities averages approximately 231 hours annually per State, or 12,233 hours per year total. The breakdown of the burden hours is itemized in the table below.

Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of respondents is 53 State agencies, including the agencies responsible for SNAP administration in 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: The 53 State agencies are required to submit data on the outcome report annually. State agencies are required to maintain data to support 1 report per year.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 53.

Estimated Time per Response: The estimated time of response, including recordkeeping and reporting is 32.796 hours per response.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,233 hours See the table below for estimated total annual burden for each type of respondent.