[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55922-55924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19046]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI) 
Reporting System

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 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, the 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, the 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The 
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments on 
the establishment of a reporting and recordkeeping system to support 
implementation of the Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI).

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Mr. Gregg Weltz, Program Manager, Office 
of Workforce Investment/Office of Youth Services, Employment and 
Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Room N4459, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-3527 
(this is not a toll-free number); fax: (202) 693-3861; e-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gregg Weltz, Program Manager, 
Office of Workforce Investment/Office of Youth Services, Employment and 
Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Room N4459, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-3527 
(this is not a toll-free number); fax: (202) 693-3861; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Copies of the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission Package may be 
obtained directly at the Web site: http://www.doleta.gov/performance/guidance/ombcontrolnumber.cfm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 55923]]

I. Background

    In applying for the Prisoner Reentry Initiative grants, Faith-based 
and Community Organization grantees agree to submit participant data 
and quarterly aggregate reports for individuals who receive services 
through PRI programs and their partnerships with One-Stop Centers, 
local Workforce Investment Boards, employment providers, the criminal 
justice system, and local housing authorities. The reports will include 
aggregate data on demographic characteristics, types of services 
received, placements, outcomes, and follow-up status. Specifically, 
they summarize data on participants who received employment and 
placement services, housing assistance, mentoring, and other services 
essential to reintegrating ex-offenders through PRI programs.
    This is a request for approval to implement the reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements of the Prisoner Reentry Initiative through 
an ETA-provided, web-based Management Information System (MIS). In 
addition to reporting participant information and performance-related 
outcomes, PRI grantees must demonstrate their ability to establish 
effective partnerships with the criminal justice system, local 
Workforce Investment Boards, local housing authorities, and other 
partner agencies. They must also demonstrate the cost effectiveness of 
their projects. The MIS reporting and recordkeeping system incorporates 
each of these aspects necessary for program evaluation.
    Five outcome measures will be used to measure success in the PRI 
grants: entered employment rate, employment retention rate, attainment 
of a degree or certificate, average six-month post-program earnings, 
and recidivism rate. Several of these conform to the common performance 
measures implemented across federal job training programs as of July 1, 
2005. By standardizing the reporting and performance requirements of 
different programs, the common measures give ETA the ability to compare 
across programs the core goals of the workforce system--how many people 
entered jobs; how many stayed employed; and how many successfully 
completed an educational program. Although the common measures are an 
integral part of ETA's performance accountability system, these 
measures provide only part of the information necessary to effectively 
oversee the workforce investment system. ETA will also collect 
additional data from PRI grantees on program activities, participants, 
and outcomes that are necessary for program management and to convey 
full and accurate information on the performance of PRI programs to 
policymakers and stakeholders.
    This request establishes a reporting and record-keeping system for 
a minimum level of information collection that is necessary to comply 
with Equal Opportunity requirements, to hold PRI grantees appropriately 
accountable for the Federal funds they receive, including common 
performance measures, and to allow the Department to fulfill its 
oversight and management responsibilities.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Department is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed reporting and recordkeeping system for the PRI in order to:
     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; and
     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 submissions of responses.

A copy of the proposed ICR can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed above in the addressee section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training 
Administration.
    Title: Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI) Reporting System.
    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Number: 1205-0NEW.
    Affected Public: Faith-based and Community Organization Grantees.
    Cite/Reference: Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-220) 
sections 172, 185, and 189.
    Total Respondents: 30 grantees.
    Frequency: Quarterly.

                                          Estimated Total Burden Hours
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                                                                                             Average     Total
                                            Total                                  Total     time per    annual
             Form/activity               respondents          Frequency            annual    response    burden
                                                                                  response   (hours)     hours
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Participant Data Collection............           30  Continual................      6,250        1.8     11,250
Quarterly narrative progress report....           30  Quarterly................        120         16      1,920
Quarterly performance report...........           30  Quarterly................        120         16      1,920
    Totals.............................           30  .........................      6,490  .........     15,090
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[[Page 55924]]

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): 0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the information 
collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on September 17, 2005.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-19046 Filed 9-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P