Proposed Information Collection Activity; Child and Family Services Reviews

AGENCY:

Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting reinstatement of the activities associated with the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR) collection (OMB #0970-0214). Revisions have been made to the forms to clarify instructions and incorporate new guidance. The activities associated with the Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews and Anti-Discrimination Enforcement Corrective Action Plans have been removed from this collection.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing infocollection@acf.hhs.gov. Alternatively, copies can also be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests, emailed or written, should be identified by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: The following activities are associated with the CFSR collection: CFSR Statewide Assessment, CFSR On-site Review, and the CFSR Program Improvement Plan. The collection of information for review of state child and family services programs (45 CFR 1355.33(b), 1355.33(c) and 1355.35(a)) is to determine whether such programs are in substantial conformity with state plan requirements under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act (the Act) and is authorized by section 1123(a) [42 U.S.C. 1320a-2a] of the Act. The CFSR looks at the outcomes related to safety, permanency, and well-being of children served by the child welfare system and at seven systemic factors that support the outcomes. The information collection is needed to monitor state plan requirements under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Act and is required by federal statute. The resultant information will allow ACF to determine if states are in compliance with state plan requirements and are achieving desired outcomes for children and families. If necessary, ACF will require states revise applicable statutes, rules, policies and procedures, and provide proper training to staff, through the development and implementation of program improvement plans. The CFSR reviews not only address conformity with state plan requirements but also assist states in enhancing the capacities to serve children and families. In computing the number of burden hours for this information collection, ACF based the annual burden estimates on ACF's and states' experiences in conducting reviews and developing program improvement plans.

Respondents: State Title IV-E Agencies.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,878.

Comments: The Department specifically requests comments 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) 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. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority: 42 U.S.C 1320a-2a .