[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51044-51045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20856]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

    Periodically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration (SAMHSA) will publish a summary of information 
collection requests under OMB review, in compliance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these 
documents, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-1243.

Project: SAMHSA SOAR Web-Based Data Form--NEW

    In 2009 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services created a Technical Assistance Center to assist in the 
implementation of the SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) 
effort in all states. SOAR's primary objective is to improve the 
allowance rate for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability 
benefits for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and 
who have serious mental illnesses. SOAR has three main components: 
strategic planning for systems change, training for case managers and 
ongoing technical assistance.
    During the SOAR training, the importance of keeping track of SSI/
SSDI applications through the process is stressed, since the process is 
complex and involves several steps. In response to requests from states 
implementing SOAR, the Technical Assistance Center under SAMHSA's 
direction developed a web-based data form that case managers can use to 
track the progress of submitted applications, including

[[Page 51045]]

decisions received from SSA either on initial application or on appeal. 
This password-protected web-based data form will be housed on the SOAR 
Web site (http://www.prainc.com/soar). Use of this form is completely 
voluntary.
    In addition, data from the web-based form can be compiled into 
reports on decision results and the use of SOAR core components, such 
as the SSA-1696 Appointment of Representative which allows SSA to 
communicate directly with the case manager assisting with the 
application. These reports will be reviewed by agency directors, SOAR 
state-level leads, and the national SOAR Technical Assistance Center 
and SOAR national evaluation team to quantify the success of the effort 
overall and to identify areas where additional technical assistance is 
needed.
    The estimated response burden is as follows:

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                                                               Number of        Responses  per                          Hours per
                    Information source                        respondents         respondent      Total  responses       response         Total hours
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SOAR Data Form...........................................               800                 36             28,800                .25              7,200
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    Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed 
information collection should be sent by September 16, 2011 to the 
SAMHSA Desk Officer at the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). To ensure timely 
receipt of comments, and to avoid potential delays in OMB's receipt and 
processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via e-mail to: [email protected]. Although commenters are encouraged to send 
their comments via e-mail, commenters may also fax their comments to: 
202-395-7285. Commenters may also mail them to: Office of Management 
and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, New Executive 
Office Building, Room 10102, Washington, DC 20503.

Cathy J. Friedman,
SAMHSA, Public Health Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2011-20856 Filed 8-16-11; 8:45 am]
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