AGENCY:
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are proposing to revise an information collection.
DATES:
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 1, 2021.
ADDRESSES:
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain . Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to: Ms. Evangeline Campbell, Chief, Division of Human Services, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW, MS-3641-MIB, Washington, DC 20240; fax: (202) 208-5113; email: Evangeline.Campbell@bia.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 1076-0131 in the subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
To request additional information about this ICR, contact Ms. Evangeline Campbell by email at Evangeline.Campbell@bia.gov, or by telephone at (202) 513-7621. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published November 24, 2020 (85 FR 75029). No comments were received.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) how might BIA 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, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Abstract: The BIA is seeking to revise the information collection conducted under 25 CFR 23, related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). This revision updates the forms to add instructions, allow Part A and Part B to be separated to facilitate the appropriate Tribal officials filling out each, and revising some of the data fields to improve clarity and include information on child abuse and neglect cases involving human trafficking, for example. The BIA collects information using a consolidated caseload form, which Tribal ICWA program directors complete. The BIA uses the information to determine the extent of service needs in local Indian communities, assess ICWA program effectiveness, and provide date for the annual program budget justification. The aggregated report is not considered confidential. The form must be completed by Federally recognized Tribes that operate child protection programs. Submission of this information by Federally recognized Tribes allows the BIA to consolidate and review selected data on Indian child welfare cases. The data is useful on a local level, to the Tribes and Tribal entities that collect it, for case management purposes. The data are useful on a nationwide basis for planning and budget purposes.
Title of Collection: Indian Child Welfare Quarterly and Annual Report.
OMB Control Number: 1076-0131.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Federally recognized Tribes or Tribal entities that are operating programs for Tribes.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 565 per year, on average.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 2,260 per year, on average.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: Approximately 30 minutes for Part A—ICWA Data; approximately 30 minutes for Part B—Tribal Child Abuse and Neglect Data.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,130 per year on average.
Respondent's Obligation: A response is required to obtain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: Four times per year for the Part A—ICWA Data; if applicable, four times per year for Part B—Tribal Child Abuse Neglect Data.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $0.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).
Elizabeth K. Appel,
Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-08946 Filed 4-28-21; 8:45 am]
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