[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 134 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36568-36572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17276]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Collection of Job Corps Health Questionnaire Comment 
Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, 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(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 Job Corps is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
revision of the Health Questionnaire, Form ETA 6-53, a copy of which is 
attached to this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before September 9, 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 collection; 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 submission of responses.

ADDRESSEE: Charles R. Hayman, MD, National Medical Director, Job Corps, 
Room N4507, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, 202-219-
5556, ext. 122 (this is not a toll-free number), 202-219-5183 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Job Corps program is described in its enabling legislation 
under Public Law 97-300, Job Training Partnership Act. Section 423(4) 
states the health eligibility criteria and Section 424 of the Act 
outlines the screening and selection process for entry into Job Corps. 
The Department of Labor's regulation at 20 CFR 638.400 (K, L, M) 
further details the recruitment and screening of applicants, with 
specific guidance regarding health screening.
    Young people wishing to enroll in Job Corps must first be screened 
to determine their suitability for the program. This initial screening 
of applicants is carried out by screening agencies, including State 
employment services, contracted to recruit young people for Job Corps. 
Screening ensures that applicants meet all admissions criteria as 
defined in Performance Requirements Handbook (PRH) Chapter 1, Outreach 
and Screening, July 1995.
    Nonmedical personnel in the screening agencies (admissions 
counselors) conduct the screening interview and complete all required 
application forms included in PRH-1 and its appendices. From 1980 
through 1986, the Job Corps Health Questionnaire (ETA 6-53) was 
administered during the screening interview only to those applicants 
whose medical eligibility was in doubt (as determined by positive 
response to questions 25 a, b, or c on the Job Corps Data Sheet, ETA 6-
52).
    A survey of Regional Directors for Job Corps and their staffs in 
1982 and 1984 affirmed that the limited use of the Health Questionnaire 
in effect since 1980 had a significant adverse effect on the program. 
All regions responding recommended use of the Health Questionnaire 
during the initial screening interview for all applicants. It was noted 
that given the guidance and structure of the Health Questionnaire, 
screeners would ask more questions about applicants' health problems 
than the four general questions on the Data Sheet, and that responses 
to these questions would be very likely to uncover health problems 
(especially mental health problems). In 1987, initial use of the Health 
Questionnaire for all applicants was reinstituted.

II. Current Actions

    The application folders of all applicants for the Job Corps showing 
questionable medical or behavioral status are transferred to the 
appropriate Regional Office for review. Regional Office personnel give 
any records showing potential health problems to the regional nurse 
consultant.
    The nurse consultant reviews the applicant's medical history as 
contained in the Health Questionnaire. If necessary the consultant 
supplements' information from the applicant's health care providers to 
determine whether the individual has health problems that might prevent 
him or her from benefiting from the Job Corps program or that might 
unduly tax a center's health care budget.
    In Regions II and IV, screening has been delegated to selected 
staff of each center. Center staff review all applications and make the 
decision to accept. The Regional Office staff and consultants are 
called upon for technical assistance as needed and for review and final 
decision on all applications provisionally rejected by the center.
    Persons having significant physical disabilities are accepted into 
designated centers for the mobility impaired, vision or hearing 
impaired, or learning disabled. (Applicants with conditions requiring 
extensive treatment are not accepted).
    While most health screening at the Regional level is done by the 
nurse consultant through review of the applicant's health record, in 
some instances the nurse will request the assistance of the regional 
medical, dental or mental health consultant to ensure that the 
evaluation of the applicant's suitability for Job Corps is correct.
    In the case of an applicant with an acceptable health condition 
requiring special attention, the nurse consultant will advise the Job 
Corps Regional Director concerning appropriate center placement. For 
all accepted applicants, the Regional Office sends the Health 
Questionnaire and all other health information sealed in the student's 
Health Record Envelope to the center of assignment.
    In general, the Regional Directors feel that Job Corps deals with a 
population

[[Page 36569]]

of youth that requires them to be quite specific in the screening 
process. Applicants are perceived as having great difficulty 
understanding general questions regarding their health history and 
status. They also do not routinely volunteer necessary information 
regarding their health unless asked the more detailed questions 
included on the Health Questionnaire.
    Additionally, Regional Directors feel that many admissions 
counselors do not have the necessary skills to perform an in-depth 
health interview without the structure provided by the Health 
Questionnaire.
    Regional Directors cite the following specific benefits of using 
the Health Questionnaire for all applicants:
     Identifies health problems that may prohibit an applicant 
from successfully completing a Job Corps program.
     Identifies applicants whose physical or mental health 
problems may result in harm to themselves or others following 
enrollment.
     Identifies health problems that Job Corps is not prepared 
to handle due to lack of health care resources or due to excessive 
costs.
     Assists in assignment of an applicant with a health 
problem to a center equipped to provide both health care and vocational 
training appropriate to the applicant's needs.
    Experience throughout the Job Corps indicates that the Health 
Questionnaire is an excellent guide in identifying current and 
potential applicant health problems. Its use results in considerable 
savings of time, by both regional health consultants and center health 
staff, and of money, by reducing high medical program costs and early 
medical terminations.
    In addition, ETA uses the Report of Medical Examination, SF 88 and 
Report of Medical History, SF 93 when medical examinations of the Job 
Corps enrollees are conducted.
    Burden Cost: Total cost to respondent (Job Corps applicant/student) 
is 0.
    Date: June 5, 1996.
    Signing Official: Mary H. Silva, National Director, Job Corps.
    Description of Revisions to Existing Collection: Job Corps entities 
(Regional Offices, centers, screening agencies) were asked to comment 
on the existing questionnaire. Twenty-five responses were received and 
analyzed. As a result, the proposed revision (attached) has been 
developed as being easier to administer, and bringing forth more 
specific information readily usable by regional health consultants and 
center health staff.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Job Corps Health Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 1205-0033.
    Agency Number: ETA 6-53.
    Record Keeping: Records are maintained for 3 years.
    Affected Public: Individual or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not for profit institutions, Federal Government, State or Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 103,000 annually.
    Frequency: Once per applicant.
    Total Responses: 1.
    Average Time Per Response: 12 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 20,600.
    Total Burden Cost: $6,500.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection requirements; they will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 1, 1996.
    Signing Official:
Mary H. Silva,
National Director, Job Corps.

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Job Corps Health Questionnaire, ETA 6-53

    1. Purpose. To obtain a health history on each applicant to 
determine health eligibility of the applicant to enter Job Corps.
    2. Originator. Job Corps admissions counselor.
    3. Frequency. Once for each student at time of application.
    4. Distribution. This is a 2-page form. If there are ``yes'' 
answers to one or more questions on the form, you must obtain relevant 
physician/institution reports and forward the applicant's folder, 
including the ETA 6-53, to the Job Corps Regional Office for review. 
The center of assignment receives the original ETA 6-53 if the region 
approves the application. A copy is retained by the Regional Office.
    5. General Instructions. Information is placed on the form as given 
by the applicant during the health interview. This information is 
confidential and must be so maintained by the admissions counselor. The 
admissions counselor must:
    a. Ensure that the health questionnaire is fully understood by the 
applicant and that all entries are completed and appropriately written 
or checked.
    b. Score the health questionnaire.
    c. Obtain additional information or arrange for a new health 
examination or evaluation for the applicant when requested by the 
regional health consultant.
    6. Detailed Instructions.

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              Item                               Comments               
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1...............................  Self Explanatory.                     
2...............................  Self Explanatory.                     
3...............................  Self Explanatory.                     
4...............................  Self Explanatory.                     
5...............................  Accept weight given by applicant;     
                                   however, raise questions if there is 
                                   a great difference (25 or more       
                                   pounds) between given weight and the 
                                   admission counselor's estimate based 
                                   on observation. Note large variations
                                   under Item 11.                       
6...............................  Self Explanatory.                     
7,8.............................  Ask questions as stated and check     
                                   ``NO'' or ``YES.''                   
                                  a. Attach copy of insurance or        
                                   Medicaid card if appropriate.        
                                  b. If possible, obtain the medical    
                                   diagnosis of the condition rather    
                                   than the applicant's description of  
                                   symptons.                            
                                  c. Establish appropriate dates for the
                                   onset of the condition and date it   
                                   ceased, if appropriate.              
                                  d. Obtain information for each        
                                   condition. Explain how often the     
                                   problem occurs (e.g., heart          
                                   condition--cannot walk up stairs     
                                   without getting short of breath). Be 
                                   sure to specify whether the applicant
                                   still has the condition.             
                                  e. For question 8i, list all allergies
                                   (such as to foods, dust, penicillin) 
                                   and include what type of allergic    
                                   response the applicant has (e.g.,    
                                   hives, sneezing, headaches).         
                                  f. Obtain information about all       
                                   hospital stays even if several were  
                                   for the same condition. List only    
                                   dates that applicant was in the      
                                   hospital. Do not include emergency   
                                   room visits.                         
10                                The admissions counselor will score   
                                   the questionnaire as follows:        
                                  a. If answers to all items in         
                                   questions 8 and 9 are ``NO,'' score  
                                   as category ``A.''                   
                                  b. If there are any ``YES'' answers,  
                                   or if the admissions counselor       
                                   observes peculiarity of behavior, or 
                                   if the applicant admits pregnancy,   
                                   score as category ``B.''             
11                                Use this section to record:           
                                  a. Any comments provided by the       
                                   applicant for questions 8 and 9. If  
                                   the applicant is not sure whether he/
                                   she had one of the conditions        
                                   mentioned in questions 8 or 9,       
                                   include whatever information the     
                                   applicant provides.                  
                                  If the applicant is reluctant to give 
                                   additional information, the          
                                   admissions counselor must not        
                                   pressure the applicant. Indicate in  
                                   this section that the applicant      
                                   declined to comment.                 
                                  b. Observations made by the admissions
                                   counselor regarding the physical     
                                   limitations or the emotional state of
                                   the applicant. Observe whether the   
                                   applicant has obvious physical       
                                   disabilities (e.g., walks with a     
                                   limp) or peculiarity in behavior     
                                   (e.g., stares or twitches).          
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[FR Doc. 96-17276 Filed 7-10-96; 8:45 am]
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