[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16446-16447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8265]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, 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 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 the collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and 
Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
new collection of data on practices related to the substate allocation 
of funds allotted to states under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
    A copy of the proposed survey can be obtained by contacting the 
office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before June 4, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Alberta F. Baker, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration/Office of Policy and Research, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Room N-5629, Washington, DC 20210, (202) 693-3642 (this is 
not a toll-free number), [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The data obtained from this survey will provide information on the 
allocation strategies used by states, the extent to which they relay 
exclusively on factors identified explicitly by WIA, and the extent to 
which they have plans to alter their allocation strategies in future 
years. Collection of this information is necessary for ETA to fulfill 
the requirements of WIA 171(c)(2)(B) for a study concerning 
improvements in the WIA allocation formula. There are two principal 
goals of the data collection: (1) To provide a national snapshot of the 
different allocation strategies states have adopted or are considering 
adopting, and (2) to identify alternative mechanisms by which states 
might consider allocating funds, which can then be incorporated into 
quantitative models estimating how allocations differ as a result of 
these alternative strategies.
    Under the WIA, funds for both the adult and youth programs are to 
be allocated primarily using formulas specified in the Act itself. 
These formulas are very similar to those used in the Job Training 
Partnership Act (JTPA), which WIA replaces. Under WIA, however, states 
can allocate up to thirty percent of their adult and youth funding 
using alternative criteria than those specified in the Act. Thus, 
although many states continue to allocate criteria, obtaining results 
that differ, perhaps markedly, from those they would have received 
under JTPA. Examining these alternative strategies may provide lessons 
about the impact of allocation on the organizational and financial 
stability of local workforce investment boards, and, states' ability to 
provide financial resources that target the individuals that Congress 
intended the Act to serve. States experience with alternative formulas 
may also provide

[[Page 16447]]

insights which may be used to improve the formulas for allotments to 
states.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which: (a) Enhance the utility, quality and clarity of the information 
to be collected; (b) 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; and (c) 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information.

III. Current Actions

    DOL is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Approval to 
collect data on the allocation strategies used by states, the extent to 
which they relay exclusively on factors identified explicitly by WIA, 
and the extent to which they have plans to alter their allocation 
strategies in future years. There are two principal goals of the data 
collection: (1) To provide a national snapshot of the different 
allocation strategies states have adopted or are considering adopting, 
and (2) to identify alternative mechanisms by which states might 
consider allocating funds, which can then be incorporated into 
quantitative models estimating how allocations differ as a result of 
these alternative strategies.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Study of the WIA Allocation Formula.
    OMB No: 1205-0NEW.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 52.
    Frequency: Once.
    Total Responses: 52.
    Average Time per Response: 60 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 52.
    Total Burden Cost (assuming $30/hour staff time): $1,560.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the 
information collection request; they will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: April 1, 2002.
Gerard F. Fiala,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-8265 Filed 4-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M