[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12315-12316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5005]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 1, 2011.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

[[Page 12316]]

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: In-depth Case Studies of Advanced Modernization Initiatives.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0547.
    Summary of Collection: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP) is a critical source of support for many low-income 
families and individuals. In recent years, states have implemented new 
procedures and policies in order to reduce SNAP administrative costs 
while maintaining or improving program access. These changes often 
referred to as modernization-incorporate technology, administrative 
restructuring, community partnering, and policy simplification. 
Together, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which amended 
Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2020, and 
the Food Nutrition Act of 2008, which amended Section 17 of 7 U.S.C. 
2026, authorizes the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to develop 
standards for identifying major operational changes, require States to 
provide any information required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
and authorizes FNS to undertake research that will help improve the 
administration and effectiveness of SNAP.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information for the In-depth Case 
Studies will build on the findings from a previous data collection 
effort, Enhancing Food Stamp Certification: Food Stamp Modernization 
Efforts. To obtain a detailed and comprehensive view of the 
implementation of SNAP modernization initiatives, data will be 
collected via in-person interviews, focus group discussions, and 
through administrative case records, application statistics, 
performance data, and other relevant materials. The project has seven 
research objectives: (1) Update the existing state profiles of 
modernization efforts and identify the geographic and caseload coverage 
affected by modernization changes; (2) describe how key certification, 
recertification, and case management functions have changed; (3) 
describe the current roles and responsibilities of state and local SNAP 
staff, vendors, and partners and how they have changed; (4) document 
the relationship between SNAP modernization initiatives and stakeholder 
satisfaction; (5) describe the current performance of each state's 
modernization initiatives and the level of outcome variability within 
each state; (6) compare performance before, during, and after 
modernization; and (7) document the main takeaway points for use by 
other states and for future study consideration. Without the detailed 
case study, FNS would need to rely on the states' general statements 
regarding program operations and aggregate statistics on modernization 
initiatives, resulting in an incomplete understanding of how 
modernization has affected the implementation of SNAP.
    Description of Respondents: Individual or households; not-for-
profit institutions; business or other for-profit; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,353.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one time only)
    Total Burden Hours: 1,802.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-5005 Filed 3-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P