[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15164-15165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6906]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed 
collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration will publish periodic summaries of proposed 
projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the SAMHSA 
Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-7978.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of 
information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: Assessment of Hablemos en Confianza Materials

    New--In the United States, Hispanic/Latinos present a 
disproportionately higher prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, and 
marijuana use than other ethnic groups. In the Spring of 1995, the 
Secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services 
authorized the establishment of the Departmental Working Group on 
Hispanic Issues. Part of the Hispanic Agenda for Action calls for an 
increase in the Department's capacity to reach out and communicate with 
Hispanic/Latino populations using culturally and language appropriate 
techniques. In-depth literature review documented a lack of materials 
focusing on substance abuse prevention targeting Hispanic/Latino 
populations. Based on formative research, the ``Hablemos en Confianza'' 
kit (HEC) was designed specifically to respond to this need for 
culturally and language appropriate materials.
    The HEC kit consists of five booklets addressing various aspects of 
communication between parents/caregivers with children, three 
fotonovelas with open-ended stories of Hispanic/Latino families who are 
learning to discuss and resolve the issue of alcohol and drug use by 
their children, and a poster for youth 13-17 years old. The 
dissemination of the materials was initiated in October, 1999 through 
the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol, and Drug Information (NCADI). 
The information resulting from the proposed survey will be employed by 
SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to assess the 
quality of the materials regarding cultural adequacy and clarity, as 
well as the short term impact of the messages. This information will be 
instrumental in highlighting areas that should be addressed in future 
CSAP prevention/education materials targeting Hispanic/Latino 
audiences.
    The adequacy of the prevention messages will be assessed by 
conducting a survey to collect data on five major areas: (1) Assess the 
degree to which the materials raise awareness in parents/caregivers 
about the potential communication problems with their children 
regarding substance use/abuse matters; (2) assess the degree to which 
the materials prompt parents/caregivers to generate intent or to pursue 
actions toward improving communication with their children; (3) assess 
the degree to which the materials are perceived as providing and/or 
increasing adults' capacity to communicate with youth; (4) assess the 
quality of the materials (clarity of the messages, cultural adequacy, 
and attractiveness of the materials); and (5) determine whether there 
are aspects to be modified and/or enhanced in the development of future 
materials focusing substance use/abuse targeted to Hispanic/Latino 
audiences. The study population is composed of parents or care givers 
(person responsible for the care of the children) who have requested 
the materials from NCADI.
    The following table presents the response burden for this project.

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                                                                    Responses/        Hours/
                      Number of respondents                         Respondent       Response      Total burden
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1,375...........................................................               1              .2             275
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[[Page 15165]]

    Send comments to Nancy Pearce, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 
Room 16-105, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. 
Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

    Dated: March 15, 2000.
Richard Kopanda,
Executive Officer, SAMHSA.
[FR Doc. 00-6906 Filed 3-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P