[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36016-36017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12775]


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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 Soy Unica Materials--New--By the 
year 2025 almost one in four children will be of Hispanic/Latino 
origin. Hispanic girls currently make up 16.2 percent of the total 
number of American girls. Serious threats to the well-being of American 
girls--pregnancy, depression, suicide attempts, alcohol and drug abuse, 
and delinquency--are more prevalent among Hispanic girls than among 
non-Hispanic White or African-American peers. Hispanic girls also have 
higher school dropout rates than non-Hispanic White, African-American 
or Asian-American girls. Studies have shown that depression and low 
self-esteem are strongly linked to risky behaviors among girls. Despite 
the fact that threats to health and well-being are highest for Hispanic 
girls, fewer prevention or treatment services reach them than reach 
girls in any other racial or ethnic group. Phase II of the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Hispanic/
Latino Initiative, [iexcl]Soy Unica! [iexcl]Soy Latina!, was developed 
in response to a need for a national, comprehensive, multimedia 
bilingual campaign that addresses the mental health needs of Hispanic/
Latinas aged 9-14.
    The [iexcl]Soy Unica! [iexcl]Soy Latina! campaign is designed to 
help Latinas ages 9-14 build and enhance their self-esteem, mental 
health, and decision-making and assertiveness skills, and to prevent 
the harmful consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. The 
secondary target audience are mothers and caregivers of girls ages 9-
14. The dissemination of these materials was initiated in October 2001 
through SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug 
Information (NCADI). This public education campaign has the following 
components in both English and Spanish: Poster for Latinas ages 9-11 
called Rainbow Road; Poster for Latinas ages 12-14 called Hot-Air 
Balloon; Activity book for Latinas ages 9-11; Activity book for Latinas 
ages 12-14; Book of advice for mothers of Latinas ages 9-14; Brochure 
for mothers of Latinas ages 9-14.
    The data collection plans include a survey of girls, a survey of 
mothers/caregivers, and in-depth interviews with representatives of 
schools or organizations that run programs based on the materials. The 
findings will be employed by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse 
Prevention (CSAP) to assess the effectiveness of the materials in 
helping young girls: to know themselves better; to develop a better 
appreciation for their heritage; to learn to make positive, healthy 
decisions for their future; and to enhance their confidence in their 
power to shape their lives. 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 
collecting data on five major areas: (1) The degree to which the 
materials help girls get to know themselves better and to become 
comfortable with who they are; (2) the degree to which the materials 
help girls gain appreciation of their heritage; (3) the degree to which 
the materials increase awareness in girls of their ability to make 
sound decisions and plan for the future; (4) the quality of the 
materials (clarity of the messages, cultural adequacy, and 
attractiveness of the materials); and (5) 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 
survey study population will be composed of girls aged 9-14 who have 
obtained the materials from NCADI via their schools. A separate survey 
will target mothers of girls ages 9-14 who ordered materials through 
NCADI. The in-depth interview study population is composed of youth 
leaders/mentors who deliver the materials and related programs to 
girls.
    The following table presents the response burden for this project.

[[Page 36017]]



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                                                            No. of      Responses/       Hours/     Total burden
                                                          Respondents   respondent      response       (hours)
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Survey of Girls Ages 9-14..............................           900             1            .25           225
Survey of Mothers/Caregivers...........................           500             1            .25           125
In-Depth Interviews--Youth Leaders/Mentors.............             5             1           4.0             20
In-depth Interviews--Girls.............................            20             1            .75            15
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    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: May 15, 2002.
Richard Kopanda,
Executive Officer, SAMHSA.
[FR Doc. 02-12775 Filed 5-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P