[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 24 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 4290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2341]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Job Search Assistance Demonstration 
Followup Survey; Notice

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
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, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed new collection of the Job Search 
Assistance Demonstration Followup Survey. A copy of the proposed 
information collection request can be obtained by contacting the 
employee listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 5, 1996. 
The Department of Labor 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, 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, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of 
responses.

ADDRESSES: Wayne S. Gordon, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-5922 (this is 
not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Public Law 102-164, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 
1991, authorized USDOL to carry out a demonstration program to 
determine the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing job search 
programs for Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants. The legislation 
specified that eligible claimants were to be offered intensive job 
search services including basic employment services such as 
orientation, testing, a job-search workshop, and an individual 
assessment-counseling interview, and additional services such as 
ongoing contact with program staff, followup assistance, resource 
centers, and job search materials and equipment. The demonstration is 
currently being conducted in the District of Columbia and Florida.
    The legislation authorizing the demonstration requires USDOL to 
submit a final evaluation report that examines the impacts of job 
search services on UI benefit receipt and on UI claimants' labor market 
outcomes--the duration of unemployment, earnings and hours worked. The 
legislation also specified that the evaluation was to estimate the net 
social benefits and costs of the program. The survey of claimants, 
which is the subject of this Federal Register notice, is intended to 
support this legislated evaluation.

II. Current Actions

    The proposed survey will collect information from a sample of UI 
claimants who were offered demonstration services and, for comparison 
purposes, from a sample of claimants who were not offered services. It 
will collect information on the background characteristics of sample 
members, including the characteristics of their pre-UI occupation, 
information on their employment and earnings and job characteristics 
following receipt of UI, and information on job search services 
including their satisfaction with the services.
    The sample for the survey will be collected from the District of 
Columbia and Florida state data systems as will administrative records 
data on UI receipt, job search service receipt, and earnings. 
Information on job characteristics, the timing of employment and 
earnings, and claimants satisfaction with the services they receive are 
unavailable from administrative records, however, and must be collected 
through a survey of claimants.
    The survey will be conducted through a computer-assisted telephone 
interviewing system with automatic call scheduling. This system is 
designed to minimize the burden on respondents by minimizing time on 
the telephone and by providing a mechanism for respondents to schedule 
calls. Participation is voluntary and confidential.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training 
Administration.
    Title: Job Search Assistance Demonstration Followup Survey.
    Agency Number: 1205.
    Affected Public: Unemployment Insurance claimants.
    Total Respondents: 4,500.
    Frequency: One time.
    Total Responses: 4,500.
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,250 hours.
    Estimated Cost to the Federal Government: $240,340.
    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: January 30, 1996.
Mary Ann Wyrsch,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 96-2341 Filed 2-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M