[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 62 (Thursday, April 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15731-15732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8080]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), 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(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 requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its 
request for approval of a new information collection from organizations 
that conduct literacy and tutoring activities under the sponsorship of 
Corporation grants. This information will be used by the Corporation to 
evaluate the nature and effectiveness of the programs. Copies of the 
proposed information collection request may be obtained by contacting 
the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, 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;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose 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, e.g., 
permitting electronic submissions of responses.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section by June 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Corporation for National and Community 
Service, Attn: Susan Labin, Office of Evaluation, 1201 New York Avenue, 
N.W., 9th floor, Washington, D.C. 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Labin, (202) 606-5000, ext. 160.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    One of the six major legislative ``findings'' of the Corporation 
for National Service is that ``Americans * * * become better citizens 
through service to the United States.'' Of the eight legislative 
purposes of the agency, educational development and civic 
responsibility are benefits that are intended to accrue to those who 
serve (42 U.S.C. 12501.(a)(b)). These purposes are reflected in the 
Corporation's vision statement which is expanding the sense of 
community and creating an active

[[Page 15732]]

citizenship where Americans feel greater responsibility toward others. 
Similarly the mission statement of the agency speaks directly to the 
benefits of service:

    ``In doing so [engaging in service], the Corporation will foster 
civic responsibility, strengthen the ties that bind us together as a 
people, and provide educational opportunity for those who make a 
substantial commitment to service.''

    Thus, a central purpose of the agency and its programs is to foster 
citizenship and development for those who serve. This study will look 
at the effects of service on the members who serve in the three 
Americorps programs: State/National, Volunteers in Service to America 
(VISTA), and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Approximately 
40,000 citizens serve in Americorps each year.

Current Action

    The objectives of this study are to: describe the outcomes that are 
associated with serving and document changes in those outcomes over 
time; identify factors explaining variation in outcomes at different 
stages of time; and, to the degree possible, specify the causal 
influences of national service on its members. Outcome domains will 
include attitudes and behaviors for civic engagement, education, 
employment, and life skills.
    To meet these objectives, the study will select a nationally 
representative sample of incoming AmeriCorps members from a sufficient 
number of programs to generalize overall population. It will collect 
data from a self-report survey measuring the above life outcomes for 
AmeriCorps members, as well as individual background characteristics. 
This will require baseline data at entry to the program as well as 
repeated measurements over a several years time period. In order to 
address the issue of causality, or the direct influence that service 
had on the outcomes, the study will include a comparison group for each 
of the three programs. The program's populations and service activities 
are very diverse and require separate sampling plans and separate 
comparison groups. In addition, the study will incorporate a smaller 
retrospective study of former AmeriCorps members carried out in 
combination with the main longitudinal study. In this way, information 
from previous members on outcomes over the past several years will be 
available sooner than the larger longitudinal study of new members.
    The Corporation seeks approval of the survey that will be filled be 
responded to by the AmeriCorps members.
    Type of Review: New approval.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Longitudinal Study of Member Outcomes.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Current and former Americorps members.
    Total Respondents: Approximately 6,950.
    Frequency: One time.
    Average Time Per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,213 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
    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: March 29, 1999.
Thomas L. Bryant,
Acting General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 99-8080 Filed 3-31-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-U