[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 39656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11033]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: 
Comment Request: Food Stamp Program Education and Administrative 
Reporting System (EARS)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on a proposed information collection. The proposed collection is a new 
collection.
    The purpose of the Education and Administrative Reporting System 
(EARS) form is to collect uniform and standard information on nutrition 
education activities funded by the Food Stamp Program. The data 
collected will inform management decisions, support policy initiatives, 
and provide documentation for legislative, budget and other requests 
that support planning within the agency.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 11, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions that were used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to 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.
    Comments may be sent to Judy Wilson, Director, Nutrition Services 
Staff, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 
1014, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed information collection form and instructions 
should be directed to Judy Wilson at (703) 305-2585.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Education and Administrative Reporting System.
    OMB Number: Not assigned at this time.
    Form Number: FNS-759.
    Expiration Date: None.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has developed a new 
reporting system for the nutrition education component of the Food 
Stamp Program, which is provided for in section 11(f) of the Food Stamp 
Act, 7 U.S.C. 2020(f). To do this, the Agency convened a workgroup of 
diverse stakeholders that assisted with this task, including people 
from the State, local, and Federal levels, as well as academia.
    The new Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS) will 
provide uniform data and information about the nutrition education 
activities of all participating States across the country. Data 
collected under the new system include demographic characteristics of 
participants receiving nutrition education benefits, information about 
education topics and strategies, and use of resources. The EARS has 
been designed to be an annual report that State Food Stamp Program 
Agencies will submit to report prior Fiscal Year's nutrition education 
activities.
    Affected Public: State Food Stamp Program Agencies, implementing 
partners such as extension universities and non-profit organizations 
and local program operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 52.
    Hours per Response: 54.
    Total Annual Reporting Hours: 2808.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 2808.

    Dated: July 6, 2006.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-11033 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am]
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