[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59224-59225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23602]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Comment Request for Information Collection for the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA) Management Information and Reporting System;
Extension With Revisions
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a
preclearance consultation program to provide the 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 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps 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 requirements on
respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the collection of
data about the WIA Management Information and Reporting System (OMB
Control No. 1205-0420, expiring 12/31/2012). This reporting system
contains the individual record files on the WIA Adult, Dislocated
Worker, Youth, and National Emergency Grant programs, the quarterly and
annual reports on those programs (ETA 9090 and ETA 9091), as well as
the customer satisfaction survey information reported by statutory
measure States.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addresses section below on or before November 26, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Karen Staha, Office of Policy
Development and Research, Room N-5641, Employment and Training
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone number: 202-693-2917 (this is not a
toll-free number). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may
access the telephone number above via TTY by calling the toll-free
Federal Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). Fax:
202-693-2766. Email: [email protected]. A copy of the proposed
information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the
office listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The accuracy, reliability, and comparability of program reports
submitted by states using Federal funds are fundamental elements of
good public administration, and are necessary tools for maintaining and
demonstrating system integrity. The use of a standard set of data
elements, definitions, and specifications at all levels of the
workforce system helps improve the quality of performance information
that is received by the Department. The common performance measures are
an integral part of the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA)
performance accountability system, and ETA will continue to collect
from grantees the data on program activities, participants, and
outcomes that are necessary for program management and to convey full
and accurate information on the performance of workforce programs to
policymakers and stakeholders.
There are three sets of changes that are being requested in the
extension with revisions to the WIA Management Information and
Reporting System. The first are changes to the Workforce Investment Act
Standardized Record Data (WIASRD). The second are changes to the
quarterly reports (ETA 9090), and the third are changes to the annual
report (ETA 9091).
ETA is seeking to make two fundamental changes to the WIASRD. The
first is to collect the information quarterly as opposed to annually.
This quarterly collection was approved under 1205-0474; however, ETA is
seeking to consolidate that collection into this collection as it
contains the annual WIASRD. The aggregate American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act monthly reports and the quarterly WIASRD collections
were approved in 2009 and expired on 1/31/2012. The annual WIASRD
collection will no longer be required as it is identical to the 4th
quarter WIASRD file. Currently, ETA has separate approvals to collect
the quarterly and annual WIASRD files even though the 4th quarter file
is the same data file as the annual WIASRD. The second change to the
WIASRD is the structure of the file. ETA is requesting permission to
modify the WIASRD layout so as to make it completely compatible with
the Workforce Investment Streamlined Reporting (WISPR) System
individual record layout. The modified WIASRD layout will utilize the
exact same variable definitions and data structures as the WISPR
individual record layout rendering full scale WISPR implementation much
more straightforward and less costly, should that occur at some point
in the future. WISPR compatibility also has the advantage of collecting
the veterans information necessary for reporting on priority of service
for veterans, as well as for monitoring the performance of the Gold
Card Initiative, TAP services, and post-9/11 veterans served under WIA.
II. Review Focus
The Department is particularly interested in comments which:
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;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information,
[[Page 59225]]
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 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.
III. Current Actions
Type of Review: Extension with revisions.
Title: WIA Management Information and Reporting System.
OMB Number: 1205-0420.
Affected Public: State governments.
Form(s): ETA-9090 and ETA-9091.
Total Annual Respondents: 53.
Annual Frequency: Quarterly.
Total Annual Responses: 530.
Average Time per Response: 959.5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 508,547.
Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: $0.
Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the ICR;
they will also become a matter of public record.
Dated: Signed in Washington, DC, this 13th day of September
2012.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
[FR Doc. 2012-23602 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
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