[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 71263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34147]


      
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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 71263]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.L. 
No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
Economic Service's (ERS) intention to request Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection of the study 
entitled ``Re-engineering the Welfare System.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 22, 1999 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact David M. Smallwood, Deputy 
Director for Food Assistance Research, Food and Rural Economics 
Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1800 M Street NW Room 2130, Washington, DC 20036-5831, 202-694-5466.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Study of Re-engineering the Welfare System.
    Type of Request: Approval to collect information on the re-
engineering of the welfare system.
    Abstract: The proposed data collection will provide the Economic 
Research Service with descriptive data regarding the nature and extent 
of States' efforts to `re-engineer'' their State Food Stamp programs as 
a result of enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The study will collect and 
synthesize information describing State re-engineering efforts. 
Categories will include eligibility determination, operating 
procedures, client tracking and accountability systems, organizational 
structures, program monitoring, and changes in the role of the 
caseworker. The information will be collected in three stages. First, 
descriptive information will be collected from the Food Stamp Agencies 
in each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia through a written 
request for existing information regarding current and proposed re-
engineering efforts occurring in the State. Second, follow-up telephone 
interviews will be conducted to clarify the documents provided by 
States and collect additional information, when necessary. Finally, six 
States will be selected for in-depth case studies to examine processes 
and methods used to plan and implement re-engineering efforts. These 
data will be collected for a qualitative analysis of planning and 
implementation issues, as well as descriptions of specific agency 
practices.
    Estimates of Burden: Public reporting burden is estimated to 
average 60 minutes per State to review the initial request for 
materials, collect relevant materials, and mail them to the contractor. 
An additional 45 minutes will be required for telephone interviews to 
clarify materials and request additional information. In addition, in 
the six States selected for case studies, 90 minutes will be required 
for each key informant, on-site interview.
    Respondents: State personnel responsible for overseeing State food 
stamp policy or their designee will respond to the initial request for 
written information. The same person will likely be responsible for 
responding to the follow-up telephone survey. State and local food 
stamp officials, as well as directors of private agencies involved in 
assisting the States re-engineering efforts, will repond to in-person 
interviews.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: One or two State Food Stamp 
Program officials will respond from each of the 50 States and the 
District of Columbia to the initial request for written information and 
the follow-up telephone survey. Two State officials will be interviewed 
in those States where one official does not make policy decisions about 
all aspects of the Food Stamp Program's administration. An estimated 24 
key informants will respond to the on-site interviews.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 125 hours. Copies of 
the information to be collected can be obtained from David M. 
Smallwood, Deputy Director for Food Assistance Research, Food and Rural 
Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1800 M Street NW Room 2130, Washington, DC 20036-5831, 
202-694-5466.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
(d) ways to 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. Comments may be 
sent to David M. Smallwood, Deputy Director for Food Assistance 
Research, Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1800 M Street NW Room 2130, Washington, 
DC 20036-5831 202-694-5466. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: November 30, 1998.
Betsey Kuhn,
Director, Food and Rural Economy Division.
[FR Doc. 98-34147 Filed 12-23-98; 8:45 am]
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