[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59224-59225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23602]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Comment Request for Information Collection for the Workforce 
Investment Act (WIA) Management Information and Reporting System; 
Extension With Revisions

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the 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 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, 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, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the collection of 
data about the WIA Management Information and Reporting System (OMB 
Control No. 1205-0420, expiring 12/31/2012). This reporting system 
contains the individual record files on the WIA Adult, Dislocated 
Worker, Youth, and National Emergency Grant programs, the quarterly and 
annual reports on those programs (ETA 9090 and ETA 9091), as well as 
the customer satisfaction survey information reported by statutory 
measure States.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before November 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Karen Staha, Office of Policy 
Development and Research, Room N-5641, Employment and Training 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone number: 202-693-2917 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may 
access the telephone number above via TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). Fax: 
202-693-2766. Email: [email protected]. A copy of the proposed 
information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the 
office listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The accuracy, reliability, and comparability of program reports 
submitted by states using Federal funds are fundamental elements of 
good public administration, and are necessary tools for maintaining and 
demonstrating system integrity. The use of a standard set of data 
elements, definitions, and specifications at all levels of the 
workforce system helps improve the quality of performance information 
that is received by the Department. The common performance measures are 
an integral part of the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) 
performance accountability system, and ETA will continue to collect 
from grantees the data on program activities, participants, and 
outcomes that are necessary for program management and to convey full 
and accurate information on the performance of workforce programs to 
policymakers and stakeholders.
    There are three sets of changes that are being requested in the 
extension with revisions to the WIA Management Information and 
Reporting System. The first are changes to the Workforce Investment Act 
Standardized Record Data (WIASRD). The second are changes to the 
quarterly reports (ETA 9090), and the third are changes to the annual 
report (ETA 9091).
    ETA is seeking to make two fundamental changes to the WIASRD. The 
first is to collect the information quarterly as opposed to annually. 
This quarterly collection was approved under 1205-0474; however, ETA is 
seeking to consolidate that collection into this collection as it 
contains the annual WIASRD. The aggregate American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act monthly reports and the quarterly WIASRD collections 
were approved in 2009 and expired on 1/31/2012. The annual WIASRD 
collection will no longer be required as it is identical to the 4th 
quarter WIASRD file. Currently, ETA has separate approvals to collect 
the quarterly and annual WIASRD files even though the 4th quarter file 
is the same data file as the annual WIASRD. The second change to the 
WIASRD is the structure of the file. ETA is requesting permission to 
modify the WIASRD layout so as to make it completely compatible with 
the Workforce Investment Streamlined Reporting (WISPR) System 
individual record layout. The modified WIASRD layout will utilize the 
exact same variable definitions and data structures as the WISPR 
individual record layout rendering full scale WISPR implementation much 
more straightforward and less costly, should that occur at some point 
in the future. WISPR compatibility also has the advantage of collecting 
the veterans information necessary for reporting on priority of service 
for veterans, as well as for monitoring the performance of the Gold 
Card Initiative, TAP services, and post-9/11 veterans served under WIA.

II. Review Focus

    The Department 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,

[[Page 59225]]

including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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: WIA Management Information and Reporting System.
    OMB Number: 1205-0420.
    Affected Public: State governments.
    Form(s): ETA-9090 and ETA-9091.
    Total Annual Respondents: 53.
    Annual Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Annual Responses: 530.
    Average Time per Response: 959.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 508,547.
    Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the ICR; 
they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: Signed in Washington, DC, this 13th day of September 
2012.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
[FR Doc. 2012-23602 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
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