[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42735-42736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18137]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Comment Request for Information Collection for State Integrated 
Workforce Plan Requirements for Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), 
Wagner-Peyser Act, and Department of Labor Workforce Programs, and for 
Unified Plan Requirements; Extension with Revisions

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format; the 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized; 
collection instruments are clearly understood; and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the collection of data for State 
Integrated Workforce Plan Requirements for Workforce Investment Act/
Wagner-Peyser Act and Department of Labor Workforce Programs, and for 
Unified Plan Requirements. The State Integrated Workforce Plan 
Requirements substantially revise and replace the former WIA/Wagner-
Peyser ``stand-alone'' planning guidance, formerly entitled ``Planning 
Guidance and Instructions for Submission of the Strategic State Plan 
for title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and the 
Wagner-Peyser Act.'' The new requirements also include data collection 
for the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Annual Outreach Plan 
(AOP), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and Senior Community Service 
Employment Program (SCSEP) State Plans. SCSEP plans may now be 
optionally included in the State Integrated Workforce Plan submission. 
While these new requirements provide an option for states to integrate 
DOL-funded programs into a single plan, it does not replace Unified 
Plan guidance that exists under this same control number 1205-0398.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained at http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/wia-planning or by 
contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee's section below on or before September 19, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Kimberly Vitelli, Office of 
Workforce Investment, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Room C-4510, Washington, DC 20210, Telephone number: (202) 
693-3045 (this is not a toll-free number). Fax: (202) 693-3015. E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) requires states to 
submit either a ``stand-alone'' strategic plan for title I of the 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Wagner-Peyser Act (WIA Section 
112), or a Unified Plan with partner programs (WIA Section 192). States 
also may submit requests for waivers and work-flex as parts of the 
Strategic State Plan. The State Integrated Workforce Plan requirements 
provide a framework for the collaboration of governors, local elected 
officials, businesses, and other partners to continue the development 
of workforce investment systems that address customer needs, deliver 
integrated user-friendly services, and are accountable to the customers 
and the public. This proposed data collection extension revises and 
replaces ``stand-alone'' planning guidance last published December 1, 
2008, in the Federal Register. Training and Employment Guidance Letter 
(TEGL) No. 17-10 (Instructions for Submitting Workforce Investment Act 
and Wagner-Peyser Act State Plans and Waiver Requests for Program Year 
2011) described ETA's intention to update and redesign the plan 
guidance, and to publish revised guidance for use in Program Year 2012, 
which begins July 1, 2012. In consultation with multiple stakeholders, 
ETA revised that guidance and now seeks public comment on it. The 
Unified Plan guidance that is part of this proposed data collection 
extension contains minor revisions, and may be revised in future years.
    The changes to this collection include:
    (1) In both the Integrated Workforce Plan and Unified Plan 
requirements, removed the national strategic direction. ETA now 
publishes the agency's strategic direction in guidance letters. ETA's 
strategic direction was comprehensively discussed in TEGL No. 14-08, 
and policy direction was further communicated in additional TEGLs 
since.
    (2) In the Integrated Workforce Plan requirements, streamlined and 
reduced the state plan collection elements to those required by statute 
or regulation.
    (3) In the Integrated Workforce Plan requirements, reorganized the 
State Plan requirements into three key sections: the Strategic Plan, 
the Operational Plan, and Assurances. A significant portion of 
previously required narrative elements have been replaced by Assurances 
and allow for inclusion of state policy attachments or Web links.
    (4) In the Integrated Workforce Plan requirements, added optional 
planning requirements for SCSEP to allow states to better integrate 
planned workforce activities with WIA and Wagner-Peyser programs and to 
optionally submit only one plan to ETA for its programs. State 
Integrated Workforce Plan submissions that include SCSEP with the WIA/
Wagner-Peyser State Plan submission do not need to submit a standalone 
plan for that program.
    (5) In the Integrated Workforce Plan guidance, included the Wagner-
Peyser Agricultural Outreach Plan for provision of equivalent and 
quantitatively proportionate services for MSFWs, as required by Wagner-
Peyser regulations, and TAA planning requirements.
    (6) In both the Integrated Workforce Plan and Unified Plan 
requirements, added instructions on how to submit waiver and work-flex 
requests.
    (7) In both the Integrated Workforce Plan and Unified Plan 
guidance, eliminated assurances that were duplicative of those that 
states sign in annual grant agreements, such as uniform administrative 
requirements.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    * Evaluate 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;
    * Evaluate 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;
    * Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and

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    * 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: Extension with revisions.
    Title: State Integrated Workforce Plan Requirements for Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), Wagner-Peyser Act, and Department of 
Labor Workforce Programs, and for Unified Plan Requirements.
    OMB Number: 1205-0398.
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Form: See above instructions. There is no form.
    Total Estimated Annual Respondents: 57.
    Estimates Annual Frequency: Once per year.
    Average Time per Response: 40 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,280 Hours.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 12, 2011.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-18137 Filed 7-18-11; 8:45 am]
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