[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5193-5194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2121]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Job Corps Health Questionnaire

ACTION: Notice.

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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 and/or continuing 
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 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment & Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed revision of the Health Questionnaire, 
Form ETA 6-53, a copy of which is attached to this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Barbara J. Grove, RN, National Nurse 
Consultant, Office of Job Corps, Room N-4456, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20210. E-Mail: [email protected]; Telephone 
number (202) 693-3116 (this is not a toll-free number); Fax number 
(202) 693-3850 (this is not a toll-free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara J. Grove, RN, National Nurse 
Consultant, Office of Job Corps, Room N-4456, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW. Washington, DC 20210. E-Mail: [email protected]; Telephone 
number (202) 693-3116 (this is not a toll-free number); Fax number 
(202) 693-3850 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background: The Job Corps program is 
described in its enabling legislation under Public Law 105-220, 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Section 145 establishes standards and 
procedures for obtaining data from each applicant relating to their 
needs. The Department of Labor's regulation at 20 CFR 670.410 further 
details the recruitment and screening of applicants. Individuals who 
wish to enroll in the Job Corps program must first be determined to be 
eligible and selected for enrollment. This process is carried out by 
admissions agencies, including state employment services, contracted to 
recruit young people for the Job Corps program. The admission process 
ensures that applicants meet all the admission criteria as defined in 
the Policy and Requirement Handbook (PRH) Chapter 1, Outreach and 
Admissions, July 2001. Nonmedical personnel in the admission's office 
(admission counselors) conduct the admission interview and complete the 
required application forms. The ETA 6-53 is completed on all applicants 
who have been determined to be eligible and selected for the Job Corps 
Program.
    II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Department of Labor 
is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection of 
information in the revised Job Corps Health Questionnaire, particularly 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility.
     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.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     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 or responses.

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed above in the addressee section 
of this notice.
    III. Current Actions: After the applicant has been determined to be 
eligible and then selected for the Job Corps Program, the applicant is 
assigned to a center. After being assigned to a center, the ETA 6-53 is 
completed on all applicants. If additional health information is needed 
from previous health care providers, this information is collected and 
the admission packet in its entirety is sent to the center of 
assignment. When the application is received on center, it is reviewed; 
if there are health related issues, the application is forwarded to the 
center's health services. After reviewing the application, if it is 
felt that the applicant's health needs cannot be met on center, the 
folder is sent to the Regional Office for review. The Regional Health 
Consultant then reviews the folder and a recommendation is made to the 
Regional Director. The Regional Director makes the final determination 
regarding enrollment of the applicant. If the application is denied, 
the applicant will be referred to other state and/or local agencies.
    Experience throughout the Job Corps indicates that the Health 
Questionnaire

[[Page 5194]]

is an excellent guide in identifying current and potential applicant 
health needs. Its use results in considerable savings of time, by both 
center health staff and regional health consultants and staff, and of 
money, by reducing high medical program costs due to medical 
separations.
    Revisions of the ETA 6-53 have been made to reflect the Workforce 
Investment Act, and to be more sensitive to applicants with health 
needs.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Job Corps Health Questionnaire, ETA 6-53.
    OMB Number: 1205-0033.
    Agency Number: ETA 6-53.
    Record Keeping: The applicant is not required to retain the 
records; admission counselors or contractor's main offices are required 
to retain records of applicants who are enrolled in the program for 
three years from the date of application.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: The form would be completed on each applicant.
    Total Responses: 102,833.
    Average Time for Responses: It takes approximately 5 minutes to 
complete the form. (It may take longer for some applicants.)
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 8,569. [102,833 (number of 
applications) / 12 (number of applications that can be completed in an 
hour) = 8,569]
    Total Burden Cost: Operating and maintenance services associated 
with these forms are contracted yearly by the Federal government with 
outreach and admissions contractors, according to designated recruiting 
areas. This is one of the many functions the contractors perform for 
which precise costs cannot be identified. Based on the past experience 
of recruitment contractors, however, the annual cost for contractor 
staff and related cost is estimated to be about $821,399. An additional 
cost of $13,238 is added for the applicant's time. Making the total 
cost $834,637. For the approximately 70 percent of the Job Corps 
applicants who have never worked, no value is determined. For the 
remaining 30 percent of applicants who have been in the work force 
previously for any length of time, whether full time or less, the 
current minimum wage of $5.15 is used to determine the value of the 
applicant time.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request: they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 27, 2004.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-2121 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
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