[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15737-15739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6364]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (the
Corporation), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to
provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to
comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be
provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial
resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood,
and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly
assessed.
Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its
National Performance Measurement Assessment through a proposed survey
and follow up interview of AmeriCorps State and National grantees and
State Commissions. The purpose of this data collection is for CNCS to
understand the tools and processes grantees and commissions have used
to select, implement and report program performance using pilot
measures developed for programs receiving AmeriCorps grants in 2010 and
2011. CNCS will use the results of this assessment to inform the
ongoing adoption of AmeriCorps grantee measures as well as new
performance measurement efforts within other CNCS programs. Completion
of this information collection is considered completely voluntary and
is not
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required to be considered for or to obtain grant funding support from
any CNCS program.
Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by
contacting the office listed in the addresses section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office
listed in the ADDRESSES section by May 15, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the
information collection activity, by any of the following methods:
(1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community
Service, Strategy Office, Attention Joscelyn Silsby, Research and
Evaluation Specialist, Room 10906A; 1201 New York Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20525.
(2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at
Room 8100 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
(3) By fax to: (202) 202-606-3464, Attention: Joscelyn Silsby,
Research and Evaluation Specialist.
(4) Electronically through www.regulations.gov. Individuals who use
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call 1-800-833-
3722 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joscelyn Silsby, (202) 606-6772, or by
email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested
in comments that:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical
utility;
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;
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are expected to respond, including 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).
Background
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is
seeking timely feedback from State and National AmeriCorps grantees and
State Service Commissions regarding the National Performance Measures
Pilot to help the agency (1) improve guidance materials and technical
assistance regarding performance measurement and (2) effectively use
the measures for internal management and external accountability.
In order to achieve its strategic objectives, CNCS must create
effective services, products, and communications materials for program
partners (sponsors and grantees) pursuant to its goals. Performance
measures are imbedded in objectives under each of the goals of CNCS's
2011-2015 Strategic Plan.
The three-year National Performance Measures Pilot will be
completed in FY 2012; in FY 2013 AmeriCorps will begin to implement a
standard set of national grantee measures. AmeriCorps staff, state
service commissions, and grantees have been preparing for this shift in
performance measurement over the past three years.
When fully implemented, the national performance measures are
intended to (1) focus AmeriCorps-funded programs on producing
measurable outcomes and (2) make it possible to assess and report the
overall impact of performance in key areas outlined in the Serve
America Act. These areas include Disaster Services, Economic
Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and
Veterans and Military Families.
Current Action
This is a new information collection request by the Corporation for
National and Community Service. An online survey and follow-up
interview will be conducted with two categories of respondents: (1)
State service commissions, sponsored by State or Tribal governments,
and (2) nonprofit organizations awarded AmeriCorps grants in 2010 and
2011. Data collection will occur among respondents at the commission or
grantee organization who are responsible for the oversight and
implementation of performance measurement and evaluation activities.
Grantees implementing programs through a state service commission
are referenced in the instruments and sampling plan as ``State
Competitive'' grantees or ``subgrantees.'' Multi-state grantees are
referenced as ``National Direct'' grantees.
Type of Review: New.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: National Performance Measurement Assessment.
OMB Number: New.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: State Service Commissions and Grantees in
AmeriCorps State and National.
Total Respondents: 243.
Frequency: All possible respondents (n=243) will receive and be
asked to complete the online survey. A randomly selected sub-set of 36
respondents will be asked to participate in follow-up interviews.
Average Time per Response: 42 minutes (279 total responses/196.5
total burden hours).
Burden Hours
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Number of Participation Burden
Category of respondent respondents time (min) (hours)
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State Service Commissions--survey.............................. 51 30 25.5
State Service Commissions--follow-up interview................. 12 45 9.0
Grantees--survey............................................... 192 45 144.0
Grantees--follow-up interview.................................. 24 45 18.0
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Totals..................................................... 243 ............... 196.5 hours`
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Estimated Total Burden Hours: 196.5 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $56,716.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
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Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: March 9, 2012.
John Kim,
Acting Chief Strategy Officer, Office of Strategy and Special
Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 2012-6364 Filed 3-15-12; 8:45 am]
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