[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8932-8933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4557]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request: National School Lunch Program Application/Verification 
Pilot Projects

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. The proposed collection is a new 
activity.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: 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 has 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Paul J. Strasberg, Social Science 
Research Analyst, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, Food 
and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OJMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection should be directed by mail to Paul 
J. Strasberg, Social Science Research Analyst, Office of Analysis, 
Nutrition and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302, or by 
phone (703) 305-2141.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Evaluation of the National School Lunch Program Application/
Verification Pilot Projects.
    OMB Number: Not yet issued.
    Expiration Date: Three years from date of issuance.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: Approximately 20 School Food Authorities (SFAs) are 
operating National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Application/Verification 
Pilot Projects. The purpose of these projects is discussed in a Federal 
Register Notice published on January 21, 2000 (65 FR 3409). These 
projects require participating SFAs to use alternative methods those 
specified in 7 CFR 245.6 to determine eligibility for free and reduced-
price school meals. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is operating 
these pilot projects to explore the effects of methods being tested on 
children that attend NSLP schools and SFAs. A contractor will be 
engaged to provide Advisory and Assistance Services to evaluate the 
NSLP Application/Verification Pilot Projects to determine (a) their 
effect in pilot SFAs on the accuracy of NSLP Free and Reduced Price 
Lunch Eligibility Determination systems tested in the pilots and (b) 
their effect on SFAs operating the pilot projects. FNS anticipates the 
contractor will conduct interviews with households with children in 
NSLP schools and staff at pilot SFAs. FNS anticipates the contractor 
will review pilot SFA administrative records. The contract to 
accomplish the above work is known as the base contract.
    The contract includes an option. Under this option, FNS seeks to 
determine the Federal Poverty Level of households selected for 
verification in one to six Metropolitan Areas (MA) as defined by the 
Office of Management and Budget. Specifically, for a sample of 
households selected for verification, FNS seeks to learn about the 
extent to which pre-verification F/RP certifications correspond to 
household income and family size.
    Affected Public: 30 School Food Authorities, 3000 households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2 staff members at each of 30 
School Food Authorities and 1 individual within each of 3000 
households.
    Number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual responses: 3060.
    Hours per response: 1 hour per SFA staff member; 30 minutes per 
household.

[[Page 8933]]

    Total annual reporting hours: 1,560.

    Dated: February 19, 2002.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4557 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U