[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 62 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15005-15008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7341]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans' Employment and Training Service


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) 
Tracking Report (VETS 201); Jobs for Veterans State Grant Budget 
Information Summary (VETS 401); Jobs for Veterans State Grant 
Expenditure Detail Report (VETS 402A, Quarterly Expenditures, or VETS 
402B, Cumulative Expenditures); Jobs for Veterans State Grant Staffing 
Directory (VETS 501); Transition Assistance Program Workshop Forecast 
(VETS 601)

AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of 
Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) is 
announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection 
of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information and 
to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This 
notice solicits comments on five (5) separate collections of 
information: (1) VETS 201 entitled ``Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment (Chapter 31) Tracking Report'' and identified by VETS ICR 
No.

[[Page 15006]]

1293-0009 and OMB Control No. 1293-0009; (2) VETS 401 entitled ``Jobs 
for Veterans State Grant Budget Information Summary'' and identified by 
VETS ICR No. 1293-0009 and OMB Control No. 1293-0009; (3) VETS 402A/B 
entitled ``Jobs for Veterans State Grant Expenditure Detail Report'' 
and identified by VETS ICR No. 1293-0009 and OMB Control No. 1293-0009; 
(4) VETS 501 entitled ``Jobs for Veterans State Grant Staffing 
Directory'' and identified by VETS ICR No. 1293-0009 and OMB Control 
No. 1293-0009; and (5) VETS 601 entitled ``Transition Assistance 
Program (TAP) Employment Workshop Forecast'' and identified by VETS ICR 
No. 1293-0009 and OMB Control No. 1293-0009. Before submitting the ICRs 
to OMB for review and approval, VETS is soliciting comments on specific 
aspects of the proposed information collections.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of 
information by 60 days from publication date.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this collection of information by any of 
the following methods:
     By mail to: Patrick Hecker, Jobs for Veterans' State 
Grants Lead, Office of Grants and Transition Programs, Veterans' 
Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-1312, 
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
     Electronically to: [email protected]
     By fax to: (202) 693-4755 (not a toll free number) Attn: 
Patrick Hecker
    All comments should be identified with the OMB Control Number 1293-
0009. Written comments should be limited to 10 pages or fewer. Receipt 
of comments will not be acknowledged but the sender may request 
confirmation that a submission has been received by telephoning VETS at 
(202) 693-4709 or via fax at (202) 693-4755.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Langley, Chief, Grants and 
Programs Division, Department of Labor/VETS, Room S-1312, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, by e-mail at 
[email protected] or by phone at (202) 693-4708. Copies of the 
proposed data collection instruments can be obtained from the contact 
listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. With respect to the following collection of information, VETS is 
particularly interested in comments on these topics:
    (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance and oversight of the Jobs for Veterans State 
Grant, including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of the VETS' estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques, when appropriate and other forms of information technology.
    II. Comments are requested on one or more of the following ICRs:
    (1) Title: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) 
Tracking Report (VETS 201).
    ICR numbers: VETS ICR No. 1293-0009, OMB Control No. 1293-0009.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a revised information collection 
activity. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for VETS 
information collections are displayed on the applicable data collection 
instrument.
    Abstract: VETS and the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment (VA VR&E) share a mutual responsibility 
for the successful readjustment of disabled veterans into the civilian 
workforce. Since August, 1995, the two Federal Agencies have worked 
together under a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate and 
coordinate services provided to veterans and transitioning service 
members referred to or completing a program of vocational 
rehabilitation authorized under Title 31, United States Code 
(hereinafter referred to as the Chapter 31 program).
    To help Congress understand the status of new initiatives in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Government Accountability Office 
(GAO) conducted a study and released Report Number GAO-07-0120: 
Disabled Veterans' Employment--Additional Planning, Monitoring, and 
Data Collection Efforts Would Improve Assistance. One of the findings 
encouraged the two agencies ``to collect and assess complete 
information on the progress of the states in implementing the agreement 
using well-designed and appropriate methodology * * * ''
    As a result of the GAO recommendations, a Joint Work Group was 
formed to establish and standardize processes to ensure disabled 
veterans participating in the Chapter 31 program achieve the ultimate 
goal of successful career transition and suitable long-term employment. 
The Joint Work Group refined processes and strengthened the team 
approach to serving these disabled veterans. Both Agencies jointly 
implemented the partnership nationally by issuing a Technical 
Assistance Guide that included a new data collection instrument.
    The Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Chapter 31) Tracking 
Report (VETS 201) is designed to respond to the GAO finding by 
compiling information on disabled veterans jointly served by the VA, 
VETS and Jobs for Veterans State Grant recipients. All partners agree 
to share information exclusively to facilitate job development and 
placement services for participating veterans. It replaces the 
information currently reported in the quarterly Manager's Report on 
Services to Veterans. The information is collected only with documented 
consent from veterans in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and 
other applicable regulations and each agency will provide practical and 
appropriate safeguards to protect Personally Identifiable Information 
in accordance with applicable regulations and laws, including the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
and reauthorizations, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    The information is collected by the Jobs for Veterans State grant 
recipient and submitted to the state Director for Veterans' Employment 
and Training (DVET) once per Federal fiscal quarter.
    (2) Title: Jobs for Veterans State Grant Budget Information Summary 
(VETS 401).
    ICR numbers: VETS ICR No. 1293-0009, OMB Control No. 1293-0009.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a revised information collection 
activity. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for VETS 
information collections are displayed on the applicable data collection 
instrument.
    Abstract: This form is used by Jobs for Veterans State Grant 
applicants to forecast annual grant spending by subprogram and by 
Federal fiscal year quarter. The one-page form illustrates a grantee's 
annual planned costs across the programs funded under the Jobs for 
Veterans State Grants. The current OMB-approved Standard Form (SF) 424A 
form has insufficient columns and rows to accommodate all the 
categories funded by the Jobs for Veterans State Grant. Therefore, VETS 
currently

[[Page 15007]]

requires States to submit two separate SF 424A forms annually. One form 
is used to forecast the costs and quarterly cash needs for Disabled 
Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) activities and DVOP special 
initiatives and a second form is used to forecast the costs and 
quarterly cash needs for Local Veterans' Employment Representative 
(LVER) activities, LVER special initiatives, Transition Assistance 
Program activities, and Incentive Awards. The proposed single form 
accommodates forecasted costs for all programs by Object Class Category 
and cash needs for each program by quarter.
    The proposed data collection instrument is designed to streamline 
the collection of data needed and to reduce the current reporting 
burden on grantees. The information is required to be submitted once 
per Federal fiscal year as a condition of receiving Jobs for Veterans 
State Grant funds. Grant recipients are required to submit a revised 
form to request a modification to their existing grant if the 
modification affects funding of any program covered by the Jobs for 
Veterans State Grant.
    (3) Title: Jobs for Veterans State Grant Expenditure Detail Report 
(VETS 402A or B).
    ICR numbers: VETS ICR No. 1293-0009, OMB Control No. 1293-0009.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a revised information collection 
activity. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for VETS 
information collections are displayed on the applicable data collection 
instrument.
    Abstract: 38 U.S.C. 4102A(b)(5) requires the Assistant Secretary of 
Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training (ASVET) to make funds 
available to each State to staff and support multiple programs under 
the Jobs for Veterans State Grant: DVOP, LVER, TAP, and Performance 
Incentive Awards. The ASVET is also legislatively required to monitor 
and supervise the distribution and use of these funds on a continuing 
basis.
    The Expenditure Detail Report (EDR) (VETS 402A or B) is used by 
Jobs for Veterans State Grant recipients to detail total expenditures 
by funding source to supplement the quarterly Federal Financial Report 
(FFR) which is used to report total grant spending and draw down of 
funds. To accommodate differences in States' accounting systems, two 
separate versions of the self-calculating EDR allow States to report 
either quarterly (VETS 402A) or cumulative expenditures (VETS 402B) 
each quarter. The EDR (VETS 402A or B) effectively cross-walks to both 
the FFR and the Jobs for Veterans State Grant Budget Information 
Summary (VETS 401) that details projected funding needs for each 
separate program awarded to States through the Jobs for Veterans State 
Grant.
    VETS collects and compiles the EDR (VETS 402A or B) information to 
effectively monitor the use of Jobs for Veterans State Grant funds for 
each separate program purpose in accordance with the regulations at 
Title 29, Part 97.41 a.3. The proposed EDR requires States to report 
total expenditures for each funding source as well as the amounts 
expended for Personal Services and Personnel Benefits for each program. 
As a condition of receiving Jobs for Veterans State Grant funds, 
grantees are required to submit the EDR (VETS 402A or B) once per 
Federal fiscal quarter, including a fifth quarter if funds are 
obligated or expended in the quarter following the end of the fiscal 
year (when authorized in the annual appropriation).
    (4) Title: Jobs for Veterans State Grant Staffing Directory (VETS 
501).
    ICR numbers: VETS ICR No. 1293-0009, OMB Control No. 1293-0009.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a revised information collection 
activity. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for VETS 
information collections are displayed on the applicable data collection 
instrument.
    Abstract: Jobs for Veterans State Grant applicants and grantees use 
the Jobs for Veterans State Grant Staffing Directory (VETS 501) to 
satisfy two grant requirements. First, grant applicants satisfy an 
assurance required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and 
implemented at 34 CFR part 85, Sec. Sec.  85.605 and 85.610 by listing 
the locations where grant-funded staff will be assigned. Second, 
grantees fulfill a requirement set forth in 38 U.S.C. Chapter 41 as 
amended by Section 601 (c) of Public Law 109-461 by providing the name, 
assignment as a DVOP specialist or LVER, assignment as half-time or 
full-time, and date appointed to current position for all staff funded 
in whole or in part by the Jobs for Veterans State Grant. As amended, 
the statute requires each DVOP specialist and LVER to complete 
specialized training provided by the National Veterans' Training 
Institute (NVTI) within three years of assignment if appointed on or 
after January 1, 2006.
    The proposed data collection instrument is designed to streamline 
the requirement for staffing information and to minimize the reporting 
burden on grantees. The information is required to be submitted once 
per Federal fiscal year as a condition of receiving Jobs for Veterans 
State Grant funds. Grantees will identify changes to staff assignments, 
if applicable, for each of the four Federal fiscal quarters and when 
requesting a modification to their existing grant if the modification 
affects staffing assignments.
    (5) Title: Jobs for Veterans State Grant TAP Employment Workshop 
Forecast (VETS 601).
    ICR numbers: VETS ICR No. 1293-0009, OMB Control No. 1293-0009.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a revised information collection 
activity. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for VETS 
information collections are displayed on the applicable data collection 
instrument.
    Abstract: This form is used by Jobs for Veterans State Grant 
applicants to project the location and number of TAP Employment 
Workshops to be facilitated by grant-funded staff at military 
installations located in the State. Grant applicants that request 
funding to facilitate these workshops are required to forecast the 
total number of workshops and total number of workshop hours planned at 
each location by Federal fiscal quarter.
    As a condition of receiving TAP funds in addition to the allocated 
Jobs for Veterans State Grant funds, grantees are required to submit 
the TAP Employment Workshop Forecast (VETS 601) once per Federal fiscal 
year. Grant recipients will also be required to submit a revised form 
when requesting a modification to their existing grant if the 
modification affects TAP funding.
    Affected Public: Jobs for Veterans State Grant Applicants/
Recipients (53); DVOP specialists and LVER staff (2,000).
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    (a) VETS 201 (Proposed): 16,000 Hours.
    (b) VETS 401 (Proposed): 79.5 Hours.
    (c) VETS 402A/B (Proposed): 1,168 Hours.
    (d) VETS 501 (Proposed): 106 Hours.
    (e) VETS 601 (Proposed): 38 Hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:
    (a) VETS 201 (Proposed): 2 Hours, Range 1-3 Hours.
    (b) VETS 401 (Proposed): 1.5 Hours, Range 1-2 Hours.

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    (c) VETS 402A or B (Proposed): 2 Hours, Range 1-3 Hours.
    (d) VETS 501 (Proposed): 2 Hours, Range 1-3 Hours.
    (e) VETS 601 (Proposed): 1 Hour, Range 0.5-1.5 Hours.
    Frequency of Response: Annually and/or Quarterly.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    (a) VETS 201 (Proposed): 2,000.
    (b) VETS 401 (Proposed): 53.
    (c) VETS 402A or B (Proposed): 53.
    (d) VETS 501 (Proposed): 53.
    (e) VETS 601 (Proposed): 40.
    Total Annualized Capital/startup costs: $0.
    Total Initial Annual Costs: $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the agency's request for OMB approval of the 
information collection request. Comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated in Washington, DC, this 27th day of March, 2009.
John M. McWilliam,
Deputy Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-7341 Filed 4-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P