[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 19, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 58894-58895] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-29566] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Proposed Data Collection; Comment Request; Survey of Grantees Providing Services Under Section 401 of JTPA ACTION: 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, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed new collection of a survey of grantees providing services under Section 401 of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before January 21, 1997. 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, 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. ADDRESSEE: Tom NaSell, Office of Policy and Research, ETA/DOL, Room N- 5637, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC, 20210. Voice Phone: (202) 219-8668 (ext. 123); fax (202) 219-5455 (these are not toll free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The U.S. Department of Labor has funded a study of the Indian and Native American Program, Section 401 of JTPA. This study was undertaken with the advice of the Indian and Native American Employment and Training Council to identify the range of service designs and training strategies undertaken by grantees funded under Section 401, the strengths and weaknesses of these or innovative approaches, and steps that DOL and the grantee community could take to improve the overall effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs of Indian [[Page 58895]] and Native American participants and communities. Meanwhile, in support of the President's goals stated in Executive Order 12862, which mandates a concerted effort to obtain customer feedback, the Department of Labor has undertaken a broad effort to determine the services its customers want and to determine their level of satisfaction with existing services. Section 401 grantees have been identified as an important constituency whose opinions about DOL's services and policy guidance should be elicited. To satisfy both of these objectives simultaneously, DOL proposes to conduct a mail survey of Section 401 grantees. This information will be important for improving the overall design and delivery of services to Indian and Native American program participants and for ensuring that DOL's services can be made more responsive to the needs of INA program administrators. II. Current Actions The proposed survey is to be administered by mail for a single time only to the Executive Directors of all grantees receiving funds under Section 401, exclusive of those participating under Public Law 102-477. The survey will cover these general topics: (a) satisfaction with services provided by DOL, and in particular the Division of Indian and Native American Programs, with respect to policy guidance, technical assistance, performance standards, and program administration, and suggestions for improving those services; (b) program organization and overall objectives for the grantees' efforts, including groups targeted for services; (c) services emphasized by the grantees, including training, subsidized employment, and supportive services, and the criteria used to determine which participants should receive which service; (d) community impacts attributed to the program and reasons when individual participants have difficulty achieving their goals; (e) services provided by the grantee with non-Section 401 funds; and (f) coordination with community groups/state agencies. Survey responses will be analyzed in tandem with data collected for grantees from other sources, including the Annual Status Reports (OMB Approval No: 1205- 0308 expiring 5/31/97), which provide a record of participants' characteristics and their outcomes. Type of Review: New. Agency: ETA. Title: Survey of Grantees Providing Services under Section 401 of JTPA. Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions for Tribal Governments. Total Respondents: 177. Freqency: One time. Total Responses: 177. Average Time per Response: 20 minutes. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 59 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): None. 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 request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: November 13, 1996. Gerard F. Fiala, Administrator, Office of Policy and Research. [FR Doc. 96-29566 Filed 11-18-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-30-M