Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-1243.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of information are 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; (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 respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Workplace Helpline Call Record Form and Followup Survey (OMB No. 0930-0232)—Extension

Workplace Helpline is a toll-free, telephone consulting service which provides information, guidance and assistance to employers, community-based prevention organizations and labor offices on how to deal with alcohol and drug abuse problems in the workplace. The Helpline was required by Presidential Executive Order 12564 and has been operating since 1987. It is located in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), where it is managed out of the Division of Workplace Programs.

Callers access the Helpline service through one of its Workplace Prevention Specialists (WPS) who may spend from several to up to 30 minutes with a caller, providing guidance on how to develop a comprehensive workplace prevention program (written policy, employee assistance program services, employee education, supervisor training, and drug testing) or components thereof.

When a call is received, the WPS uses a Call Record Form to record information about the call, including the name of the company or organization, the address, phone number, and the number of employees. Each caller is advised that their responses are completely voluntary, and that full and complete consultation will be provided by the WPS whether or not the caller agrees to answer any question. To determine if the caller is representing an employer or other organization that is seeking assistance in dealing with substance abuse in the workplace, each caller is asked for his/her position in the company/organization and the basis for the call. In the course of the call, the WPS will try to identify the following information: basis or reason for the call (i.e., crisis, compliance with State or Federal requirements, or just wants to implement a prevention program or initiative); nature of assistance requested; number of employees and whether the business has multiple locations; and the industry represented by the caller (e.g., mining, construction, etc.). Finally, a note is made on the Call Record Form about what specific type(s) of technical assistance was given.

Callers to the Helpline may not, for a variety of reasons, contact the Helpline to describe any successes or failures they are having in implementing any prevention initiatives discussed with the Helpline staff. In addition, CSAP wants to know if the Helpline service is working as intended. Accordingly, the Helpline staff contacts a sample of callers to discuss the caller's progress in taking action based on the Helpline consultation, and whether or not they were satisfied with the Helpline service. Callers are told the reasons for the call and that their responses to questions are completely voluntary. If the caller is willing to participate, they are asked about the actions, if any, they took as a result of the consultation with the Helpline and if there were any obstacles to taking the desired action, such as resistance from employees and lack of time. The callers are also asked several questions to help determine if the consultation was useful and if the Helpline staff was helpful, and whether or not they would refer others to the Helpline. The annual average burden associated with the Helpline Call Record and Followup Survey are summarized below.

Send comments to Summer King, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 7-1044, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20850. Written comments should be received by December 20, 2004.