[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 58324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28768]



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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 227 / Monday, November 27, 1995 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58324]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service


Collection Requirements Submitted for Public Comment: 7 CFR Part 
246, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and 
Children (WIC)

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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Summary: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's (FCS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection in support of the Special Supplemental Nutrition 
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 26, 1996, to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to: Barbara Hallman, 
Branch Chief, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Consumer 
Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 542, Alexandria, Virginia 
22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Hallman, (703) 305-2730.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: (7 CFR Part 246), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
    OMB Number: 0584-0043.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 1995.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The purpose of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program 
for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is to provide supplemental foods, 
nutrition education, and health care referrals to low income, 
nutritionally at risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, 
infants, and children up to age 5. Currently, WIC operates through 
State health departments in 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto 
Rico, Guam, America Samoa and the Virgin Islands. Additionally, 32 
Indian tribal bands and organizations serve as State agencies.
    This information collection is for the reporting and recordkeeping 
burdens associated with the WIC Program regulations. This request is 
being made to extend the current information collection for an 
additional three years. The information reporting and recordkeeping 
burdens are necessary to ensure appropriate and efficient management of 
the WIC Program.
    State Plans are the principal source of information about how each 
State agency WIC Program operates. Local agency applications and vendor 
agreements are necessary to delineate responsibility, and ensure the 
accountability of State agencies, local agencies, and vendors. 
Certification data provide the basis for determining the eligibility of 
program applicants. Local agency nutrition education plans facilitate 
the provision of quality nutrition education by local agencies and 
allows FCS and the State agency to assess the quality and quantity of 
nutrition education provided to participants. The vendor monitoring 
report enables FCS to evaluate vendor trends and assess State agency 
efforts to control vendor fraud and abuse. Documentation of participant 
and vendor complaints enables FCS and the State agency to identify 
problems at the local agency level. The requirements that the State 
agency: identify the disposition of food instruments; request approval 
for specified costs; justify the carry-over and backspending of funds; 
submit preliminary and final closeout reports; submit financial, 
participation, and food delivery reports to FCS; develop funding 
procedures for local agencies; report the status of participant claims, 
and request waivers for development of alternate cost containment 
systems, ensure the accountability of Federal funds and promote 
efficient program management. The requirement for State agency 
corrective action plans ensures the problem areas of program management 
are rectified. Submission of information to FCS for the biennial report 
to Congress ensures FCS compliance with Federal law. The food delivery 
requirements assist in controlling vendor fraud and abuse and promoting 
the integrity of State agency food delivery systems.
    The information collected is used by FCS to manage, plan, evaluate 
and account for Government resources. The reports and records are 
required to ensure the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .095 hours per response.
    Respondents: The respondents are State and local governments, 
individuals or households, and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,045,927 respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.71.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,151,971 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cato 
Watson, Agency Information Collection Coordinator, Food and Consumer 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302.

    Dated: November 10, 1995.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 95-28768 Filed 11-24-95; 8:45 am]
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