[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24453-24454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09813]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Disability Employment Policy
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request; Employment First Leadership State Mentoring
Program Community of Practice Survey; Proposed Information Collection
Request
AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, DOL.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), 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 requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is
soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection of information
for the Employment First Leadership State Mentoring Program Community
of Practice Survey.
A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice.
DATES: Submit comments on or before June 30, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Office of Disability
Employment Policy, Room S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20210, Attention: Serena Lowe; Telephone number: (202)
693-7880; Fax: (202) 693-7888; Email: [email protected].
Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one
method. All submissions received must include the agency name and
collection name identified above for this information collection.
Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the
Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit
their comments electronically via email or to submit them by mail
early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a
matter of public record. They will be summarized and/or included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information
collection request.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serena Lowe, Senior Policy Advisor,
Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Room
S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone
(202) 693-7880 (this is not a toll free number). Copies of this notice
may be obtained in alternative formats (Large print, Braille, Audio
Tape, or Disc) by calling (202) 693-7880 (this is not a toll-free
number). TTY/TTD callers may dial (202) 693-7881 to obtain information
or to request materials in alternative formats.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
ODEP is committed to increasing employment opportunities for youth
and adult with disabilities, with a focus on employment that is truly
integrated and supports individuals moving from poverty to economic
self-sufficiency. In its 12 years of operation, ODEP has influenced the
workforce development system, as well as the disability field with the
introduction of customized employment, flexible workplace approaches,
and universal strategies for workforce development, among other
innovative initiatives. Building on this history of innovation, ODEP
launched an Employment First (EF) technical assistance initiative to
provide States with technical assistance to facilitate the use of
integrated employment. This is accomplished by removing barriers at
State and local levels to the placement of individuals with
disabilities in integrated employment and promoting policy changes to
make integrated
[[Page 24454]]
employment the first option for youth and adults with significant
disabilities.
ODEP launched the Employment First Leadership State Mentoring
Program (EFLSMP) to assist States in developing and implementing EF
policies. Thirty States started to participate in technical assistance
sessions and discussions on a number of topics related to implementing,
assessing, and disseminating information regarding EF policies via an
online Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP sessions started in the
fall of 2012 and will run monthly until the spring of 2014 via the
portal ePolicyWorks.
Promoting and disseminating EF practices and strategies is a
critical step toward addressing the persistent problem of low
participation rates of individuals with disabilities in the workforce
and fulfilling the promise of full integration. As a multitude of
local, State, and Federal agencies are involved in making the adoption
and implementation of EF strategies a success, initiatives to align
policies, regulations, and funding are needed. Technical assistance
provided through the EFLSMP provides participating States with
information on how to restructure funding patterns, support
collaboration, build staff capacity, and ultimately increase
competitive, integrated employment outcomes for individuals with
disabilities. ODEP's EF initiative is innovative in its inclusion of a
variety of State partners, including:
1. Department of Rehabilitation Services;
2. Department of Mental Health;
3. Department Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities;
4. Workforce Development System;
5. Department of Education (Special Education Division); and
6. Medicaid agencies.
This data collection is also designed to gauge the effectiveness of
ODEP's efforts to promote the implementation of EF policies and
practices and determine how well remote training and online forums
facilitate the implementation of EF activities in each participating
state. Findings from this census of participating CoP states also will
provide the DOL with important information for strategic planning,
program replication, and development of disability employment policies,
approaches, and practices.
II. Review Focus
DOL is interested in comments that:
* Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary, and 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 to respond.
Comments submitted in response to this Notice will be summarized
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the ICR; they will also become a matter of public record.
III. Current Actions
Agency: Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment
Policy.
Title: Employment First Leadership State Mentoring Program
Community of Practice Survey.
Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
Total Respondents: 30.
Frequency: Once for each of 6 staff-members of the respondent.
Total Responses: 180.
Average Time per Response: 15-20 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 47.
Total Other Burden Cost: $1,850.
Signed at Washington, DC, April 22, 2014.
Kathleen Martinez,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014-09813 Filed 4-29-14; 8:45 am]
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