[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16068-16069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7791]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on a proposed revised information collection. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), this 
notice seeks comments concerning the revised application for Crisis 
Counseling Immediate Services Program assistance under Section 416 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(the Act), Public Law 93-288, as amended. The Immediate Services 
application has been revised to reduce the paperwork burden on the 
State applicant.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 416 of the Act authorizes the 
President to provide financial assistance to state and local 
governments for professional counseling services to victims of major 
disasters in order to relieve mental health problems caused or 
aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath. FEMA regulation 44 CFR 
part 206, subpart F, section 206.171 implements the provisions of the 
Act.

Collection of Information

    Title: Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program--Immediate 
Services Program and Reporting.
    Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement, with change, of a 
previously approved collection for which approval has expired.
    OMB Number: 3067-0166.
    Form Numbers: Standard Form 424 Request for Federal Assistance.

FEMA Form (TBD)--Immediate Services Program Application

    Abstract: The Immediate Services Program provides funding in 
response to a State request for the period immediately following a 
Presidentially declared disaster, and includes community outreach, 
consultation and public education and counseling techniques. The 
program is available for a limited period of time not to exceed 60 
days, unless an application for regular program funding is submitted. 
FEMA provides funds in the form of a Federal grant through the State 
emergency management office to the State Mental Health Authority or 
other mental health organization designated by the Governor to provide 
crisis-counseling services to the Presidentially declared communities. 
Once the application has been approved and a grant is awarded, the 
State applicant must provide quarterly progress and financial reports 
to FEMA.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1360.

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                                                            Number of                    Average       Annual
                        FEMA form                          respondents  Frequency of    hours per   burden hours
                                                               (A)      response (B)  response (C)   (A x B x C)
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SF 424 and Immediate Services Program Application.......           17             2            40          1360
                                                         ---------------
      Total.............................................           17             2            40          1360
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    Estimated Cost: $38,448.

Comments:

    Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed 
data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) 
evaluate 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) enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 submission of responses. 
Comments should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Branch, Information Resources 
Management Division, Information Technology Services Directorate, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of

[[Page 16069]]

Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Victoria Childs, Program 
Specialist, Community and Family Services Branch, Recovery Division, 
Readiness, Response and Recovery Directorate, (202) 646-3844 for 
additional information. You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the 
proposed collection of information at (202) 646-2625, facsimile number 
(202) 646-3347, or email address: [email protected].

    Dated: March 26, 2003.
Vernon Adler,
Acting Division Director, Information Resource Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-7791 Filed 4-1-03; 8:45 am]
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