[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64404-64405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30767]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 preclearance 
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 conducting a study of training 
received by AmeriCorps*VISTA Members and Project Supervisors. This 
particular submission concerns the collection of information, from 
AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Supervisors only, as to their perceptions of 
the efficacy and impact of the training. Copies of the information 
collection request can 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 Corporation's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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 February 11, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Corporation for National and Community 
Service, Office of Evaluation, Attn: Carol Hafford, 1201 New York 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20525, or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Hafford (202) 606-5000, ext. 232 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The AmeriCorps*VISTA program provides training for members and the 
project supervisors who support members serving in community-based 
organizations, schools, and state/local agencies, and other 
institutions. Corporation-sponsored training takes place along a 
timeline based on when AmeriCorps*VISTA members begin and end their 
service periods. Training cycles occur five times each year, and each 
cycle begins with Project Supervisor Training. Project Supervisor 
Training occurs about three months prior to the time members are 
scheduled to begin service. This cluster or national-level event lasts 
about three or four days, and focuses on the information supervisors 
need to make their AmeriCorps*VISTA experience successful for their 
organizations as well as the members.
    The second training event in the cycle is Pre-Service Orientation 
(PSO). It is for all new AmeriCorps*VISTA member candidates and takes 
place immediately prior to the start of service with the sponsoring 
organization. PSO usually occurs at the cluster or national level and 
less frequently at the state level. It lasts about three days and is 
required for all AmeriCorps*VISTA candidates prior to their being sworn 
in. Major emphases are placed on understanding the mission of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA and its anti-poverty focus, understanding the role of 
an AmeriCorps*VISTA member in building sustainable community 
infrastructure, developing an ethic of service, and learning about 
AmeriCorps*VISTA rules, procedures, and benefits.
    The third training event is On-Site Orientation and Training 
(OSOT). This event is conducted by the sponsoring organization for its 
new AmeriCorps*VISTA members. The sponsor is encouraged to involve 
members of the community as well as the organization's staff in this 
training, which may last from one to three weeks. The main purposes of 
OSOT are to orient a new AmeriCorps*VISTA member to his/her role in the 
project and to the community of service.
    For most AmeriCorps*VISTA members, Early Service Training (EST) is 
their final formal training event during their year of service with the 
sponsor. EST occurs three to five months into the service period and 
usually takes place at cluster or national levels. The purposes are to 
reinforce the prior training and experiences of the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members by discussing problems and successes related to project goals 
and developing needed skills to address these concerns.
    The AmeriCorps*VISTA Member and Supervisor Training study seeks to 
determine members' and supervisors' perceptions of the efficacy of 
multiple training components in developing the knowledge, skills, and 
attitudes needed to conduct capacity-building and sustainability 
activities. The study will also address the perceived impact of 
training and supervisor support on members' performance, retention, and 
satisfaction with the service experience.

II. Current Action

    The Corporation seeks approval of one survey form that will be used 
to examine AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisors perceptions about training. 
This requires information from project supervisors that will address: 
(1) The extent to which Corporation-sponsored training prepares 
Supervisors to recruit, retain, and support AmeriCorps*VISTA members; 
and (2) whether, in their opinion, training provided to 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members contributes to the members' performance, 
retention, and satisfaction with the service experience.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Supervisors Survey.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: AmeriCorps*VISTA project supervisors at community-
based organizations, elementary and secondary schools, state and local 
agencies.
    Total Respondents: Approximately 400.

[[Page 64405]]

    Frequency: Annual.
    Average Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 200.
    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: December 7, 2001.
David B. Rymph,
Acting Director, Department of Evaluation and Effective Practices.
[FR Doc. 01-30767 Filed 12-12-01; 8:45 am]
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