[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 43340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20500]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 10, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 43340]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants and Children (WIC)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is publishing for public comment a 
summary of a proposed information collection. The proposed collection 
is for reinstatement of a previously approved collection for the 
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children 
(WIC).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 12, 1999 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to Barbara Hallman, Chief, Policy and Program Development 
Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition 
Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 542, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) Whether the proposed collection 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, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (d) Ways to minimize the burden on those who are to respond, 
including use of appropriate, automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All comments will be summarized and included in the request for 
Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection. 
All comments will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Hallman, (703) 305-2730.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: (7 CFR Part 246), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
    OMB Number: 0584-0043.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Expired.
    Type of Request: Re-instatement of a previously approved collection 
with changes.
    Abstract: The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, nutrition 
education, and health care referrals to low income, nutritionally at 
risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and 
children up to age 5. Currently, WIC operates through State health 
departments in 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, 
America Samoa and the Virgin Islands. Additionally, 33 Indian tribal 
bands and organizations serve as State agencies.
    This information collection is for the reporting and recordkeeping 
burdens associated with the WIC Program regulations, and is necessary 
to ensure appropriate and efficient management of the Program. This 
request is being made to extend the current information collection for 
an additional three years.
    Based on Program regulations:
     State Plans are the principal source of information about 
how each State agency WIC Program operates.
     Local agency applications and vendor agreements are 
necessary to delineate responsibility, and ensure the accountability of 
State agencies, local agencies, and vendors.
     Certification data provide the basis for determining the 
eligibility of program applicants.
     Local agency nutrition education plans facilitate the 
provision of quality nutrition education and allows FNS and the State 
agency to assess the quality and quantity of nutrition education 
provided to participants.
     The vendor monitoring report enables FNS to evaluate 
vendor trends and assess State agency efforts to control vendor fraud 
and abuse.
     Documentation of participant and vendor complaints enables 
FNS and the State agency to identify problems at the local agency 
level.
    The requirements that the State agency:
     Identify the disposition of food instruments;
     Request approval for specified allowable costs;
     Justify the carry-over and backspending of funds;
     Submit preliminary and final closeout reports;
     Submit financial, participation, and food delivery reports 
to FNS;
     Develop funding procedures for local agencies;
     Report the status of participant claims; and
     Request waivers for development of alternate cost 
containment systems;

ensure the accountability of Federal funds and promote efficient 
program management.
    The requirement for State agency corrective action plans ensures 
the problem areas of program management are rectified. Submission of 
information to FNS for a biennial report entitled ``Study of WIC 
Participant and Program Characteristics,'' provides valuable data on 
the various aspects of program operations. The food delivery 
requirements assist in controlling vendor fraud and abuse and promoting 
the integrity of State agency food delivery systems.
    The information collected is used by FNS to manage, plan, evaluate 
and account for Government resources. The reports and records are 
required to ensure the lawful, proper and judicious use of public 
funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.140 manhours per response.
    Respondents: State and local governments, individuals or 
households, and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,642,797
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.45
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2,607,523 manhours.

    Dated: July 21, 1999.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20500 Filed 8-9-99; 8:45 am]
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