[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 48 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12447-12448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4898]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
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 requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning a self 
assessment tool: ``My Improvement Plan''. This is a tool we are 
planning on launching in conjunction with new rules for AmeriCorps. 
``My Improvement Plan,'' is designed to strengthen the Corporation's 
accountability in cost effectively developing grantee core management 
competencies (such as financial and grants management, resource and 
fund development, performance measurement and evaluations, etc.) and 
achieving targeted results.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by May 13, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, by any of the following methods:
    (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community 
Service, Office of Leadership Development and Training; Attention Mr. 
David Bellama, Associate Director, Room 9623; 1201 New York Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20525.
    (2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at 
Room 6010 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    (3) By fax to: (202) 208-4151, Attention Mr. David Bellama, 
Associate Director.
    (4) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bellama, (202) 606-5000, ext. 
483, or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested 
in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, 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; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses).
    Background: Since mid-2003, the Corporation has invested heavily in 
developing this program management tool in collaboration with ETR 
Associates and the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at 
the University of Texas. ``My Improvement Plan'' is a valid and 
reliable assessment tool targeted for use by all CNCS grantees. 
Individuals working with the Corporation's AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and 
Learn and Serve programs will complete competence self-assessment 
questions on-line, generate their individual learning plans and be 
linked to relevant training and technical assistance (T/TA) resources. 
Individual responses will be anonymous. However, the system will 
aggregate user responses nationally and by state. This tool will drive 
the Corporation's knowledge management system, enabling program 
officers and T/TA providers to assess grantee needs, target and deliver 
T/TA, track and report on users' progress in acquiring core 
competencies. The development of

[[Page 12448]]

these core competencies will enable grantees to meet the Corporation's 
compliance requirements and build service organizations that deliver 
projected results.
    The tool will be available online at http://www.nationalservice.org/resources for use by grantees and interested 
members of the public. Users will complete the tool online and will be 
provided with a report on their overall strengths and weaknesses. 
Online T/TA tools will be suggested for their use. We plan to fully 
utilize the tool's capacity for aggregating state-wide, regional and 
national level data on grantee T/TA needs and progress. This data will 
be used to analyze the overall strengths and weaknesses of grantee 
projects in order to better focus T/TA efforts and maximize return on 
T/TA investment.
    Current Action: The Corporation is seeking approval of the self 
assessment tool entitled My Improvement Plan: A Self Assessment Tool 
for Project Management. The self assessment tool consists of a pre-
assessment tool and questions relating to 10 building blocks. The pre-
assessment tool has 36 screening questions that help users determine 
the building blocks they should address. The building blocks cover the 
following topics: Board and advisory leadership, organizational 
culture, community collaboration, program accountability, financial 
management, staffing and management, marketing and communication, 
infrastructure, volunteer management, and service-learning.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: My Improvement Plan: A Self Assessment Tool for Project 
Management.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Current grantees and interested public.
    Total Respondents: 4,000.
    Frequency: Once a year.
    Average Time Per Response: 3 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 12,000 hours per year.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice 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: March 8, 2005.
Gretchen Van Der Veer,
Director, Office of Leadership Development and Training.
[FR Doc. 05-4898 Filed 3-11-05; 8:45 am]
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