[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13715-13717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6650]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10085]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Solicitation 
of Applications

    Agency: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services (CMS) (formerly known as the Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA)), Department of Health and Human Services, is 
publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public 
comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this 
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility 
of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of 
the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology to minimize the information 
collection burden.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information 
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with the Trade Act of 
2002. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures 
because of an unanticipated event and public harm.
    A part of the President's New Freedom Initiative and Executive 
Order 13217, the Demonstration to Improve the Direct Service Workforce 
presents an opportunity for States and community organizations to 
improve the recruitment and retention of direct service workers. The 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the agency within the 
Department of Health and Human Services charged with developing and 
administering this program.
    For FY 2003, $9 million dollars was budgeted to fund this 
demonstration program and an additional $3 million is expected to be 
budgeted for FY 2004. Because funding for this demonstration appears as 
part of the FY 2003 budget, it is necessary to award grants to States 
and community-based organizations before October 1, 2003.
    We need to seek emergency approval because we need three months 
between the time that applicants must submit their proposals and the 
time of award. Overall we are expecting a large volume of grant 
applications. We will need the three months to sort, review and score 
the awards and prepare award packages.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
April 21, 2003, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by April 7, 2003.

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During this 180-day period, we will publish a separate Federal Register 
notice announcing the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review 
and public comment period on these requirements. We will submit the 
requirements for OMB review and an extension of this emergency 
approval.
    Type of Information Request: New collection; Type of Information 
Collection: Medicaid Program: Demonstration To Improve the Direct 
Service Workforce; CMS Form Number: CMS-10085 (OMB 0938-NEW); 
Use: Executive Order 13217, ``Community-Based Alternatives for 
Individuals with Disabilities'' provides for the establishment of 
grants for states and community groups that develop and implement 
demonstration programs designed to increase the pool of direct care 
service workers, who help support people with disabilities in the 
community, through recruitment and retention strategies. State agencies 
and community groups will be applying for these grants; Frequency: On 
occasion; Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; Not-for-
profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 15; Total Annual Responses: 
15; Total Annual Burden Hours: 300. We have submitted a copy of this 
notice to OMB for its review of these information collections. A notice 
will be published in the Federal Register when approval is obtained.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's 
Web site address at http://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp or 
e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, 
and CMS document identifier, to [email protected], or call the Reports 
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
    Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information 
requirements. However, as noted above, in order to be considered in the 
OMB approval process, comments on these information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed to the designees 
referenced below, by April 7, 2003.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development 
and Issuances, Attn: Reports Clearance Officer, Room C5-16-03, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax Number: (410) 786-
3064. Attn: Julie Brown;
 and,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Brenda 
Aguilar, CMS Desk Officer.

    Solicitation: This notice also serves as an announcement for 
solicitation of applications for the grants, as follows:
    Title of Grant: The Demonstration to Improve the Direct Service 
Workforce
    Authority: The Demonstration to Improve the Direct Services 
Workforce is authorized by the President's Executive Order 13217, 
``Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities.'' The 
Demonstration is part of the President's New Freedom Initiative, which 
calls for the removal of barriers to community living for people with 
disabilities. CMS is the designated HHS agency with administrative 
responsibility for this program.
    Who Is Eligible to Apply: Two types of State agencies in eligible 
States may apply: (a) The Single State Medicaid Agency or (b) any other 
agency or instrumentality of a State (as determined under State law). 
In addition, community-based organizations that provide some 
combination of direct services, education, training and/or outreach are 
eligible to apply.
    By ``State'' we refer to the definition provided under 45 CFR 74.2 
as ``any of the several States of the United States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession 
of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a State 
exclusive of local governments.'' ``Territory or possession'' is 
defined as Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    For purposes of this grant program, community-based organizations 
must have a clearly defined mission of community service, be 
established under state law, and have a formalized financial structure 
with the capacity for tracking and reporting on grant funds. Examples 
of organizations that might want to consider applying include 
Independent Living Centers (ILCs), consumer associations, community-
outreach programs, assertive-community treatment providers, workforce 
development programs and others. Community-based providers possess an 
often-underutilized source of knowledge, expertise and commitment for 
identifying and supporting direct service workers.
    Amount and Timing of Awards: The demonstration projects may last 
for 36 months. CMS intends to offer $6 million in funding nationally in 
FY 2003 and an additional $3 million in funding in FY 2004. CMS will 
announce the first grant awards in October of 2003. The grant period 
for this solicitation will run 36 months from October 1, 2003 through 
September 30, 2006. The maximum grant award will be $1.5 million per 
state agency or $750,000 per coalition or non-governmental applicant.
    Purpose: The purpose of this demonstration program is to develop 
and implement programs that will increase the pool of direct care 
service workers, who help support people with disabilities in the 
community, through recruitment and retention strategies. Examples of 
potentially fundable demonstration programs may focus on: wage or time-
off incentives, continuing education, outreach to underserved 
populations, cultural or logistical barriers. This list is not meant to 
be comprehensive. Entities applying for the demonstration program are 
encouraged to submit their own ideas for recruitment and retention of 
direct care service workers.
    For Additional Information: An application kit containing all 
instructions and forms needed to apply for The Demonstration to Improve 
the Direct Services Workforce can be downloaded from the New Freedom 
Initiative Web site at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/default.asp. 
If an organization does not have access to the Internet, an application 
kit may be obtained by writing: Attn: Marian Webb, Centers for Medicare 
and Medicaid Services, OICS, AGG, Grants Management Staff, Mailstop C2-
21-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Questions about CMS's announcement or application package can be 
directed to: Carey O'Connor Appold, Center for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Disabled and 
Elderly Health Programs Group, Room S2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-2117, e-mail: 
[email protected]. Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered by 
Friday, June 20, 2003. Applications mailed through the U.S. Postal 
Service or a commercial delivery service will be considered on time if 
they are received in CMS's Grants Office or postmarked by this date. 
Submissions by facsimile (fax) transmission will not be accepted. An 
original proposal should be sent with seven copies to: Attn: Marian 
Webb, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, OICS, AGG, Grants 
Management Staff, Mai 500

[[Page 13717]]

Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: March 13, 2003.
Julie Brown,
Acting CMS Reports Clearance Officer, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and 
Issuances.
[FR Doc. 03-6650 Filed 3-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P