[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 9 (Monday, January 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2267-2268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-427]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed 
collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish periodic summaries of 
proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects 
or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the 
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-1243.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of 
information are 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; (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 respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

Project: Measures of Co-Occurring Infrastructure (OMB No. 0930-0284)--
Extension

    This notice is a request to extend data collection for SAMHSA's 
Center for Mental Health Services and Center for Substance Abuse 
Treatment provider-level performance measures about the screening, 
assessment, and treatment of co-occurring disorders. The measures were 
developed with active input from COSIG grantees. Their input was also 
sought regarding suggestions for making the implementation and 
reporting processes as smooth as possible. Based on suggestions from 
COSIG grantees, CSAT has taken the following actions to improve data 
quality: clarified instructions, simplified minimum required reporting, 
developed optional reporting methods, allowed grantees time to work out 
internal processes, and held monthly conference calls to answer grantee 
questions and to allow grantees to share experiences with 
implementation. These steps allow CSAT to enhance working relationships 
with the grantees and improve the overall quality of the data 
collection process.
    Implementation will be limited to 15 current States with Co-
occurring State Incentive Grants (COSIG) and States receiving COSIG 
grants in future years. COSIG grants enable States to develop or 
enhance their infrastructure and capacity to provide accessible, 
effective, comprehensive, coordinated/integrated, and evidence-based 
treatment services to persons with co-occurring substance abuse and 
mental disorders. Only the immediate Office of the Governor of States 
may receive COSIG grants, because SAMHSA considers the Office of the 
Governor to have the greatest potential to provide the multi-agency 
leadership needed to accomplish COSIG goals. The COSIG program is part 
of SAMHSA's plan to achieve certain goals regarding services for 
persons with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders:
     Increase percentage of treatment programs that screen for 
co-occurring disorders;
     Increase percentage of treatment programs that assess for 
co-occurring disorders;
     Increase percentage of treatment programs that treat co-
occurring disorders through collaborative,

[[Page 2268]]

consultative, and integrated models of care;
     Increase the number of persons with co-occurring disorders 
served.
    These measures will enable SAMHSA to benchmark and track progress 
toward these goals within COSIG states.
    Information will be collected annually about the number and 
percentage of programs that offer screening, assessment, and treatment 
services for co-occurring disorders; and the number of clients actually 
screened, assessed, and treated through these programs. Information 
will also be collected annually about providers' policies regarding 
screening, assessment, and treatment services for persons with co-
occurring disorders.
    A questionnaire, to be completed by providers, contains 47 items, 
answered either by checking a box or entering a number in a blank. The 
questionnaire is available both in printed form and electronically. 
Obtaining the information to enter on the questionnaire will require 
respondent providers to track screening, assessment, and treatment 
services for clients.
    COSIG States will be required to report information to SAMHSA for 
all providers directly participating in their COSIG projects. SAMHSA 
will consider sampling strategies for states with large numbers of 
participating providers and for providers serving large numbers of 
clients. Annual burden for the activities is shown below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of     Responses per     Hours per     Total burden
                 Data collection                    respondents     respondent       response          hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity to Screen, Assess, and Treat...........             242               1             4.5           1,089
Policy on Screening, Assessment, Referral, and               242               1       3 minutes              12
 Treatment......................................
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................             242  ..............  ..............           1,101
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Send comments to Summer King, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 
Room 7-1044, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 and e-mail her a 
copy at [email protected]. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

     Dated: January 7, 2008.
Elaine Parry,
Acting Director, Office of Program Services.
[FR Doc. E8-427 Filed 1-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P