[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 11196-11197] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-6026] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed a collection of information. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning information collected under Section 416 Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended, to award grants to States to provide disaster mental health services. Supplementary Information. The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program was established to provide supplemental funding to States for short-term crisis counseling services to eligible victims of Presidentially declared disasters. The information collected is used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine if funds are properly used, if the State' plan of services adequately addresses the mental health needs of the disaster survivors, and if the funds are supplemental to State and local resources as required by the Stafford Act. Information collection requirements are outlined in 44 CFR 206.171 Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training. Collection of Information. Title. Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training. Type of Information Collection. Extension. OMB Number: 3067-0166. Form Numbers. SF 424, SF 269. Abstract. Information collected under the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program will be used by the FEMA to award grants to States to provide crisis counseling services. The information is collected in several forms: applications, quarterly reports, and financial reports. The immediate services application is made by letter which includes a short description of the State or private mental health agency, their existing resources, and a justification for Federal assistance; the geographical area of the disaster where services will be provided; a brief plan of services indicating how the disaster victims and emergency responders mental health needs will be met; and a budget including an identification of the resources the State and local governments will commit, the number of staff and their salaries, the funding levels for different agencies if more than one are involved, and an estimate of the Federal assistance requested. The regular program using SF 424, requires information similar to but more comprehensive than the immediate services application including: an estimate of the number of people affected by the disaster needing crisis counseling assistance; how the estimate was made; the extent of physical, psychological, and social problems observed; the types of mental health problems encountered by the victims and other relevant information; the length of time needed to administer the program and meet the mental health needs of those affected; and a detailed plan of services. The plan of services should include: a time-phased implementation plan and time schedule for the hiring and training of staff and the services to be provided; a description of the types of services that will be offered and the length of time they will be available; a description of the organizational structure of the program; a description of the training program; a description of the facilities to be used; and a detailed budget. Quarterly and final progress reports in narrative form and financial reports using SF 269 are required. Affected Public: State, local or tribal government. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours. 4,896. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hours per Respondents Frequency Responses response Total hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Immediate Services Program: Application........................... 16 1 16 30 480 Final Report.......................... 16 1 16 18 288 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal.......................... 16 1 32 Avg. 24 768 Recordkeeping......................... 16 ............ ............ Avg. 24 384 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................. 16 1 32 ............ 1,152 Regular Services Program: Application............................... 12 1 12 80 960 Program Reports....................... 12 2 24 40 960 Program Final Report.................. 12 1 12 50 600 Final Expenditure Report (SF 269)..... 12 1 12 50 600 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal.......................... 12 5 60 Avg. 52 3,120 Recordkeeping......................... 12 ............ ............ Avg. 52 624 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................. 12 5 60 ............ 3,744 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Cost. $76,228. Comments Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the [[Page 11197]] burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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. Comments should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice. ADDRESSEE: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 311, Washington, DC 20472. Telephone number (202) 646-2625. FAX number (202) 646-3524. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Diana Nordboe at (202) 646- 4026 for additional information. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed collection of information. Dated: March 3, 1997. Reginald Trujillo, Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate. [FR Doc. 97-6026 Filed 3-10-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-01-P