[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 93 (Monday, May 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28351-28353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11590]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Study of the Food Distribution Program on Indian 
Reservations (FDPIR)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. This is a new information 
collection in which Food and Nutrition Service seeks an updated 
description of Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) 
participants and programs, and a better understanding of why FDPIR 
participation has been declining. This study will provide national 
estimates of participating households as well as estimates for large 
subgroups, such as households with elderly participants. For a sample 
of Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or State-administered FDPIR 
programs, participating households will be selected for data 
collection. Data collection will consist of case record reviews 
(abstracting standard eligibility information for all household 
members) and, for each selected household, interviews with the person 
who applied for FDPIR assistance (noted as the Head of Household on 
some forms) or his/her proxy. Site visits will be conducted to a subset 
of the ITOs or State-administered programs to obtain qualitative 
information on program operations and experiences of FDPIR participants 
and eligible nonparticipants. Site visit data collection will include 
interviews with Tribal leaders, FDPIR administrators and staff, and 
other service providers; visits to FDPIR enrollment sites, warehouses, 
and distribution sites; and discussion groups with FDPIR participants 
and eligible nonparticipants. Information obtained will provide updated 
information on FDPIR participants and program operations and will be 
used by FNS to inform decisions regarding program administration and to 
identify ways to make the program more beneficial to participants.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before July 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection 
of information is 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, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (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 those who 
are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments, identified by the title of the information activity, may 
be sent to Steven Carlson, Office of Research and Analysis, Food and 
Nutrition Service/USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, 
VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of 
Steven Carlson at 703-305-2576 or via email to 
[email protected]. Comments will also be

[[Page 28352]]

accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments electronically.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, VA 22302, Room 1014.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection should be directed to Steven 
Carlson at (703) 305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Study of the Food Distribution Program on Indian 
Reservations (FDPIR).
    OMB Number: 0584-NEW.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Expiration Date: To be determined.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: This study will provide current, nationally 
representative information on FDPIR participants and will provide 
updated information on local program operations across the nation. 
Information will be collected on perceptions about the program, 
potential access barriers, and participation in the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs 
in order to identify reasons for declining participation. The last 
nationally representative study was completed in 1990. Since then, 
significant changes have occurred in FDPIR, including changes to 
eligibility rules, foods offered, and food delivery options. This study 
is needed to help FNS make decisions regarding program administration 
and identify ways to make the program more beneficial to participants. 
The study's objectives include, but are not limited to:
     Obtaining an updated demographic profile of participants,
     Exploring reasons for the decline in FDPIR participation,
     Examining food package distribution approaches and other 
key aspects of FDPIR operations,
     Learning about FDPIR's contribution to participants' food 
supply, and
     Learning about participant satisfaction with the program.
    The study will be conducted over a 3-year period. Data collection 
activities will include case record reviews, participant surveys, and 
site visits. A nationally-representative sample of 998 participating 
households will be included in the case record reviews and participant 
interviews. This sample will be selected at random from participating 
households in each of 26 FDPIR programs. Site visits to 17 programs 
will consist of staff interviews, discussion groups with participants 
and non-participants, and tours of program facilities.
    Clearance is requested for the following new data collection 
activities: (1) Case record review/abstraction of case record data 
elements; (2) survey of FDPIR participants; (3) on-site interviews and 
observations of FDPIR program operations; and (4) discussion groups 
with participants and eligible nonparticipants.
    In addition to primary data collection, the study will model 
effects of how changes in FDPIR policy, changes in household 
composition and characteristics, and economic factors may affect 
eligibility. The study will also use Census data files to consider 
FDPIR participation in the context of demographic and geographic shifts 
in the Native American population. Consultations with Tribal officials 
and extensive outreach to Tribes will occur in order to seek input from 
all FDPIR programs and to develop collaborative relationships with 
Tribal partners at each program in the study sample to increase survey 
participation.
    Affected Public: State, Local, Tribal agencies; Individuals and 
Households.
    Respondent Types: Respondents are FDPIR managers and administrative 
staff, Tribal leaders, and other service providers that work with or 
coordinate with FDPIR programs and FDPIR participants and FDPIR 
eligible non-participants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Case record reviews require FDPIR 
staff to pull case records selected for the sample and subsequently 
return them to the appropriate file. One staff person at each site will 
be responsible for this task, for a total of 26 respondents. The total 
estimated number of sample members for the survey is 998. The total 
estimated number of respondents to the survey is 832 or 80% of the 
sample. The total estimated number of sample members for the on-site 
staff interviews is 170. A 100% response rate is anticipated for the 
staff interviews. The total estimated number of sample members for the 
focus groups is 300. The total estimated number of responses for the 
focus groups is 240 (80% response rate). The total number of 
respondents is estimated to be 1,444.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: All data collection components 
are one-time only, and in most cases respondents will respond only 
once. Some FDPIR management or administrative staff may be providing 
case record data as well as participating in on-site staff interviews, 
and a small number of FDPIR participants may respond to the survey and 
participate in a discussion group.
    Estimated Time per Response: The estimated average response time 
for obtaining the case record is 15 minutes. The estimated average 
response time is 30 minutes for the survey, 60 minutes for the on-site 
staff interviews, and 120 minutes to participate in the discussion 
group.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The estimated 
response time in hours is 249.5 for the case record review, 421.8 for 
the survey, 170.0 for the on-site staff interviews, and 489.6 for the 
discussion groups.

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                                                                                                                                                     Estimated       Time per
          Affected public                Respondent type       Type of instrument                           Estimated number of    Frequency of    total annual   respondent (in   Annual burden
                                                                                                                respondents          response        responses        hours)           hours
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State, Local and Tribal Agencies...  FDPIR admin. staff....  Case record reviews..  Completed *..........  26...................           38.38             998            0.25           249.5
                                     Tribal leaders, FDPIR   On-site staff          Completed *..........  170 (17 sites; 10                   1             170               1             170
                                      managers and staff,     interviews.                                   respon-dents per
                                      other service                                                         site).
                                      providers.
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    SA Sub-total...................  ......................  .....................  .....................  196..................  ..............           1,168  ..............           419.5
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[[Page 28353]]

 
Individuals/Households.............  FDPIR participants....  HH survey............  Completed............  832..................               1             832             0.5             416
                                                                                    Attempted............  116..................  ..............             116            0.05             5.8
                                     FDPIR participants;     Discussion groups....  Completed............  240 (20 groups; 12                  1             240               2             480
                                      eligible non-                                                         per group).
                                      participants.
                                                                                    Attempted............  60...................               1              60            0.16             9.6
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    I/H Sub-total..................  ......................  .....................  .....................  1,248.00.............  ..............        1,248.00  ..............           911.4
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        Total Estimated Reporting    ......................  .....................  .....................  1,444.00.............  ..............        2,416.00  ..............        1,330.90
         Burden.
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* Note: FNS expects 100 percent participation from State Agencies.


    Dated: May 7, 2012.
Robin Bailey, Jr.,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11590 Filed 5-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P