[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36261-36263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14819]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review, Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has 
submitted a public information collection request (ICR) entitled Senior 
Corps Performance Measurement Surveys Parts A, B, and C for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with applicable 
supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the Corporation 
for National and Community Service, Angela Roberts, at (202) 606-6822 
or email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call 1-800-833-3722 between 8:00 a.m. 
and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Sharon Mar, OMB Desk Officer for the 
Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the following 
two methods within 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal 
Register:

[[Page 36262]]

    (1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Sharon Mar, OMB Desk 
Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service; and
    (2) Electronically by email to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS, 
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;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose 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, e.g., 
permitting electronic submissions of responses.

Comments

    The 60-day Notice soliciting comments was published on Thursday, 
December 8, 2011 on page 76697. A total of 278 comments were received 
from 87 commenters. Most individuals providing comments submitted more 
than one comment each. The commenters represented all three Senior 
Corps programs in the following proportions: 65 Individuals, or 75 
percent from RSVP; 2 individuals, or 2 percent from the Foster 
Grandparent Program; 2 individuals or percent from the Senior Companion 
Program; 12 individuals, or 15 percent had no program identified; and 
the remaining 6 individuals, or 6 percent represented a combination of 
programs. In all cases, the majority of comments were from RSVP, which 
accounted for a total of 237 comments, or 85 percent of the total 
comments. Comments were broken out into eleven discrete categories, as 
follows:
    (1) The survey is partially or entirely unnecessary: 33 comments or 
11 percent of the total. Of the 33 comments, 30 or 91 percent were from 
RSVP.
    (2) The survey is duplicative of a tool or process already used by 
respondents: 17 comments or 6 percent of the total. Of the 17 comments, 
13 comments or 76 percent were from RSVP.
    (3) The survey places a particularly high burden on RSVP program 
grantees: 23 comments, or 8 percent of the total. Of the 23 comments, 
100 percent were from RSVP.
    (4) The survey is too long, and contains too many questions: 19 
comments, or 6 percent of the total. Of the 19 comments, 17 or 89 
percent were from RSVP.
    (5) The survey is partially or entirely irrelevant: 20 comments, or 
7 percent of the total. Of the 20 comments, 17 or 85 percent were from 
RSVP.
    (6) The survey represents too great a time burden: 40 comments or 
14 percent of the total. Of the 40 comments, 72 percent were from RSVP.
    (7) The survey should be conducted as a sample, rather than the 
proposed census: 15 comments or 5 percent of the total. Of the 15 
comments, 14 or 93 percent were from RSVP.
    (8) The survey is too costly: 47 comments or 16 percent of the 
total. Of the 47, 41 comments or 87 percent were from RSVP.
    (9) The survey contains invasive questions that would be perceived 
as encroaching on the privacy of the respondents: 29 comments or 10 
percent of the total. Of the 29 comments, 24 or 83 percent were from 
RSVP.
    (10) The program model makes it difficult to reach the clients in 
order to conduct the survey: 32 comments or 12 percent of the comments. 
Of the 32 comments, 29 or 91 percent were from RSVP. The Senior 
Companion Program grantees did not raise this as a core issue, and the 
model supports access to the assigned clients and volunteers.
    (11) The condition of clients, such as Alzheimer's Disease or 
dementia, would make it difficult to survey some number of clients: 3 
comments or 1 percent of the total. All three of the comments were from 
representatives of the Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion programs.
    In summary, 85 percent of the comments were submitted by 
individuals representing the RSVP program. The comments from RSVP 
reflected concerns in every category, with particularly emphasis on 
time burden, cost, and direct client contact due to the program model.
    CNCS concurs that, due to the scope, magnitude, and decentralized 
volunteer placement structure of RSVP, the survey is less aligned with 
RSVP than with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs.
    Based on the comments received, CNCS will exempt RSVP grantees from 
a mandatory requirement to use the survey as a means to collect client 
performance data and volunteer benefit data. CNCS will offer RSVP the 
opportunity to participate solely on a voluntary basis. CNCS believes 
that this exemption addresses the concerns of the majority of 
commenters. The survey will be required of Foster Grandparent and 
Senior Companion program grantees.
    CNCS will make the following modifications in response to the 
comments:
    (1) The survey is partially or entirely unnecessary: 33 comments or 
11 percent of the total. Of the 33 comments, 30 or 91 percent were from 
RSVP. Response: CNCS believes the survey will yield significant data in 
the FGP and SCP programs. RSVP grantees will not be required to 
participate.
    (2) The survey is duplicative of a tool or process already used by 
respondents: 17 comments or 6 percent of the total. Of the 17 comments, 
13 comments or 76 percent were from RSVP. Response: CNCS believes the 
survey will provide new data to demonstrate national outcome data in 
the FGP and SCP programs. RSVP grantees will not be required to 
participate.
    (3) The survey places a particularly high burden on RSVP program 
grantees: 23 comments, or 8 percent of the total. Of the 23 comments, 
100 percent were from RSVP. Response: Due to the scope and 
decentralized placement of RSVP volunteers, CNCS concurs and will 
exempt RSVP from required participation in the survey.
    (4) The survey is too long, and contains too many questions: 19 
comments, or 6 percent of the total. Of the 19 comments, 17 or 89 
percent were from RSVP. Response: CNCS modified the survey tools by 
dividing one consolidated tool into three separate instruments. The 
Independent Living Surveys--comprising one instrument for clients 
(primarily frail seniors) served by Senior Companions and one 
instrument for caregivers of clients served by Senior Companions, were 
restructured to contain a total of ten questions each. The survey is 
formatted for ease of use, with the client or surrogate circling the 
correct response to each question. The Benefits to the Volunteer Survey 
is now a separate instrument in a similar format. Additionally, the 
Benefits to the Volunteer Survey frequency of use was changed from 
annual to one-time. The Independent Living Surveys will remain annual.
    (5) The survey is partially or entirely irrelevant: 20 comments, or 
7 percent of the total. Of the 20 comments, 17 or 85 percent were from 
RSVP. Response: CNCS believes the data to be collected through the 
survey is relevant to both the volunteer experience and the outcomes to 
clients and caregivers

[[Page 36263]]

receiving respite. RSVP will not be required to participate in the 
survey.
    (6) The survey represents too great a time burden: 40 comments or 
14 percent of the total. Of the 40 comments, 72 percent were from RSVP. 
Response: comments about the length of the survey, CNCS reformat the 
survey into individual instruments that each focus on one discrete 
dimension of performance.
    (7) The survey should be conducted as a sample, rather than the 
proposed census: 15 comments or 5 percent of the total. Of the 15 
comments, 14 or 93 percent were from RSVP. Response: The method 
original envisioned is that all clients and caregivers receiving 
independent living support and/or respite, and all volunteers would 
participate. While RSVP will not be required to participate in the 
survey, there may be some opportunity to engage in a separate 
evaluation-focused activity that would use a sampling model.
    (8) The survey is too costly: 47 comments or 16 percent of the 
total. Of the 47, 41 comments or 87 percent were from RSVP. Response: 
CNCS determined that RSVP would be exempt from participating in the 
survey process.
    (9) The survey contains invasive questions that would be perceived 
as encroaching on the privacy of the respondents: 29 comments or 10 
percent of the total. Of the 29 comments, 24 or 83 percent were from 
RSVP. Response: CNCS will eliminate or de-identify the data received so 
that individual responses cannot be linked back to specific 
respondents.
    (10) The program model makes it difficult to reach the clients in 
order to conduct the survey: 32 comments or 12 percent of the comments. 
Of the 32 comments, 29 or 91 percent were from RSVP. The Senior 
Companion Program grantees did not raise this as a core issue, and the 
model supports access to the assigned clients and volunteers. Response: 
CNCS will not require RSVP grantees to participate in the survey.
    (11) The condition of clients, such as Alzheimer's Disease or 
dementia, would make it difficult to survey some number of clients: 3 
comments or 1 percent of the total. All three of the comments were from 
representatives of the Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion programs. 
Response: CNCS will incorporate alternative protocols or methods, such 
as observation, to collect survey data.
    Description: CNCS is seeking approval of the Senior Corps 
Performance Measures Surveys that are used by Foster Grandparent and 
Senior Companion Program grantees (required) and by RSVP grantees 
(voluntary/optional) to collect performance data related to independent 
living and benefits to the volunteers who serve.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Senior Corps Performance Measures Surveys.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Clients served by Senior Companions, caregivers 
served by Senior Companions, Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion 
volunteers.
    Total Respondents:
    Independent Living Surveys for Clients and Caregivers: 74,000.
    Benefits to Volunteer Survey: 46,000.
    Frequency: Independent Living Surveys for Clients and Caregivers: 
Annual.
    Benefits to the Volunteer Survey: One-time.
    Average Time per Response:
    Independent Living Surveys for Clients and Volunteers: 30 minutes 
per survey.
    Benefits to Volunteer Survey: 30 minutes per survey.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 60,000 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

    Dated: June 12, 2012.
Erwin J. Tan,
Director, Senior Corps.
[FR Doc. 2012-14819 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P