[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67097-67098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19501]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Faith-Based and Community Initiatives-Equal Treatment Rule; 
Notice of Request for Collection of Public Information With the Use of 
a Survey

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Development's intention to request clearance 
for a new information collection to measure Rural Development 
implementation of and compliance with the Equal Treatment Rule (7 CFR 
part 16) and Executive Order (EO) 13279 Equal Protection of the Laws 
for Faith-Based and Community Organizations.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 19, 2007 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Brown, Faith-Based and 
Community Initiatives Coordinator, Operations and Management, Rural 
Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, 
phone: (202) 692-0298, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Rural Development-Voluntary Survey on 
the Equal Treatment Rule.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) was 
implemented in the Department of Agriculture by Executive Order (EO) 
13280-Responstibilities of the Department of Agriculture and the Agency 
for International Development with Respect to Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives, December 12, 2002. FBCI Reporting and Outreach began in 
Rural Development in 2004. Now that the programs are in the third year 
of this Presidential Initiative and to meet the long term goal of 
improved participant outcomes, it is time to measure customer 
experience with Rural Development's implementation of the Equal 
Treatment Rule and establish compliance benchmarks. The 14 Rural 
Development programs under the FBCI provide insured or guaranteed loans 
and/or grants to eligible applicants (including non-profit entities) 
located in rural geographic areas to assist them in providing services 
to beneficiaries, low-income individuals, and communities. Loan and 
grant applications and awards are processed through approximately 900 
Field Offices. In accordance with Government
    Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and EO 13280, the results of the 
survey will enable Rural Development to measure the results and overall 
effectiveness of FBCI outreach and implementation of and compliance 
with the Equal Treatment Rule and EO Orders 13279 and 13280, as well as 
implement compliance action plans and measure improvements.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Program non-profit applicants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 4,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 320 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division at (202) 692-0043.

Comments

    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 will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions 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. Written comments may be sent to 
Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support 
Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 
STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. 
Comments may also be submitted electronically through Regulations.gov. 
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.


[[Page 67098]]


    Dated: November 9, 2006.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19501 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XT-P