Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

AGENCY:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice with comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing efforts to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comments on a request for a revision of an approved information collection titled, CDC's Fellowship Management System (OMB Control No. 0920-0765). CDC uses the information collected for processes that aid and enhance the selection of fellowship participants and host sites and to track participant information that helps strengthen the current, emerging, and ever-changing public health workforce.

DATES:

CDC must receive written comments on or before October 22, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2019-0071 by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-D74, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket Number. CDC will post, without change, all relevant comments to Regulations.gov.

Please note: Submit all comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal (regulations.gov) or by U.S. mail to the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, contact Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-D74, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; phone: 404-639-7570; Email: omb@cdc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a proposed data collection as described below.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:

1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. 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 used;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. 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 submissions of responses.

5. Assess information collection costs.

Proposed Project

CDC Fellowship Management System (OMB Control No. 0920-0765, Exp. 01/21/2021)—Revision—Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD), Center for Surveillance, Education, and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

DSEPD requests a three-year Revision to continue the use of the CDC Fellowship Management System (FMS) to collect data under the approved OMB Control No. 0920-0765. CDC uses FMS to collect, process, and manage data from nonfederal applicants seeking training or public health support services through CDC fellowships. FMS is used to electronically submit fellowship applications, fellowship host site proposals, and to maintain fellowship alumni directories online. FMS is a flexible and robust electronic information system that is standardized and tailored for each CDC fellowship, collecting only the minimum amount of information needed. Thus, streamlining data management for CDC and reducing the burden for respondents. FMS is key to CDC's ability to protect the public's health by supporting training opportunities that strengthen the public health workforce.

The proposed Revision will contribute significant enhancements and provide CDC with an efficient, effective, and secure electronic mechanism for collecting, processing, and monitoring fellowship information. The update to the technology platform will make it easier for additional fellowships to choose to use FMS. The increased efficiencies will allow programs to conduct their administrative data collection and monitor fellows' learning outcomes with a reduced burden and minimal development requirements.

The mission of DSEPD is to improve health outcomes through a competent, sustainable, and empowered public health workforce. Professionals in public health, epidemiology, medicine, economics, information science, veterinary medicine, nursing, public policy, and other related professionals seek opportunities, through CDC fellowships, to broaden their knowledge, and skills to improve the science and practice of public health. CDC fellows are assigned to state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies; federal government agencies, including CDC and Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) operational divisions, such as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and to nongovernmental organizations, including academic institutions, tribal organizations, and private public health organizations.

A three-year revision will allow all fellowship applicants, public health agencies that host fellowship participants, and fellowship alumni the continued use of FMS for submission of electronic data. The annual burden table reflects OMB-approved changes since 2017. There is no cost to respondents other than their time. Total Burden Hours requested are 6361. There are no costs to respondents other than their time.