[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53983-53984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18700]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Study

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 the proposed collection of data for the WIC Breastfeeding Peer 
Counseling Study. This study will assess the implementation of the 
Loving Support peer counseling program in State and local WIC agencies 
across the country.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 20, 
2007.

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 shall have 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 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 use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Steven Carlson, Director, Office of 
Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, 
Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the 
attention of Steven Carlson at 703-305-2576 or via email to 
[email protected].
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at Room 1014, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Steven 
Carlson at 703-305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Study.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: Beginning in Fiscal Year 2004 and continuing through to 
the present, Congress appropriated about $15 million per year for 
States to support breastfeeding peer counseling in the Special 
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). 
Prior research has suggested that peer counseling may increase 
breastfeeding duration rates, and is associated with positive outcomes 
in minority groups that have proven difficult for WIC to support in the 
initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. A primary objective of 
the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Study is to assess the 
implementation of the Loving Support peer counseling program, 
specifically developed for WIC, in the 86 States and Indian Tribal 
Organizations that have accepted peer counseling funds, and in a sample 
of 40 local WIC agencies and organizations that collaborate with these 
agencies, and in 20 local WIC clinics.
    Affected Public: Multiple respondents may be required to complete 
each data collection instrument. At the State level, respondents 
include State WIC directors, State WIC breastfeeding and peer 
counseling coordinators, and State budget officers. At the local level, 
respondents will include staff at the local WIC agency, including the 
local WIC director, local breastfeeding and peer counselor 
coordinators, budget officer, peer counselors, and the person that 
manages the local WIC agency database; local WIC clinic director or 
supervisor, local WIC clinic peer counseling coordinator or supervisor, 
and peer counselors; and the contact person for an agency or 
organization that collaborates on the local WIC Loving Support peer 
counseling program.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 618 total. This includes directors 
of 86 State WIC agencies who will complete a web-based survey, likely 
with the aid of 86 State breastfeeding or peer counseling coordinators 
and 86 State WIC budget officers. Interviews at the local WIC agency 
will include 40 local WIC directors, 40 local WIC breastfeeding or peer 
counselor coordinators, 40 local WIC budget officers, 40 local WIC 
agency database managers; and an average of two peer counselors per 
local WIC agency (80 peer counselors). Forty individuals representing 
organizations that collaborate with local WIC agencies (e.g., 
hospitals) will also be interviewed. Interviews at 20 local clinics 
will be held with 20 local WIC clinic directors or supervisors, 20 
local WIC clinic peer counselor coordinators or supervisors, and an 
average of two peer counselors per local WIC clinic (40 peer 
counselors).

[[Page 53984]]



                                           Estimated Time per Response
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                                                                     Number of
                   Respondent                         Number       responses per      Minutes      Total minutes
                                                                    respondent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State WIC Director..............................              86               1              60           5,160
State Breastfeeding or Peer Counselor                         86               1              60           5,160
 Coordinator....................................
State budget officer............................              86               1              30           2,580
Local WIC Agency Director.......................              40               1              60           2,400
Local WIC Breastfeeding or Peer Counselor                     40               1              90           3,600
 Coordinator....................................
Local budget officer............................              40               1              30           1,200
Local WIC Agency Database Manager...............              40               1              30           1,200
Peer Counselors.................................              80               1              30           2,400
Local WIC Clinic Director or Supervisor.........              20               1              60           1,200
Local WIC Clinic Peer Counselor Coordinator or                20               1              60           1,200
 Supervisor.....................................
Peer Counselors.................................              40               1              30           1,200
Liaison/contact person in an organization                     40               1              60           2,400
 collaborating with WIC local agencies on peer
 counseling.....................................
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Respondent Burden.....................  ..............  ..............  ..............          29,700
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    Number of Responses per Respondent: Each instrument will be 
administered once to each respondent.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 495 hours
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.80 of an hour or 48 minutes

    Dated: September 11, 2007.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-18700 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P