Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129.

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; (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.

Proposed Project: Performance Standards for Special Projects of Regional or National Significance (SPRANS), and Community Integrated Service Systems (CISS) Projects—(NEW)

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) proposes to modify reporting requirements for SPRANS projects, CISS projects, and other grant programs administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) to include national performance measures being developed in accordance with the requirements of the “Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993” (Pub. L. 103-62).

This act requires the establishment of measurable goals for Federal programs that can be reported as part of the budgetary process, thus linking funding decisions with performance. Performance measures for States have already been established under the block grant provisions of Title V. Performance measures for other MCHB-funded grant programs are currently being finalized, and will be sent to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.

There are approximately 30 proposed new performance measures, however, some measures are specific to certain types of programs, and will not apply to all grantees. Furthermore, the measures are expected to be based primarily on existing data.

The estimated response burden is as follows:

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.