[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24453-24454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09813]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

 Office of Disability Employment Policy


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Employment First Leadership State Mentoring 
Program Community of Practice Survey; Proposed Information Collection 
Request

AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, DOL.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-
clearance 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, 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, DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection of information 
for the Employment First Leadership State Mentoring Program Community 
of Practice Survey.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section 
of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Office of Disability 
Employment Policy, Room S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210, Attention: Serena Lowe; Telephone number: (202) 
693-7880; Fax: (202) 693-7888; Email: [email protected].
    Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one 
method. All submissions received must include the agency name and 
collection name identified above for this information collection. 
Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the 
Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit 
their comments electronically via email or to submit them by mail 
early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a 
matter of public record. They will be summarized and/or included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information 
collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serena Lowe, Senior Policy Advisor, 
Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 
S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone 
(202) 693-7880 (this is not a toll free number). Copies of this notice 
may be obtained in alternative formats (Large print, Braille, Audio 
Tape, or Disc) by calling (202) 693-7880 (this is not a toll-free 
number). TTY/TTD callers may dial (202) 693-7881 to obtain information 
or to request materials in alternative formats.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    ODEP is committed to increasing employment opportunities for youth 
and adult with disabilities, with a focus on employment that is truly 
integrated and supports individuals moving from poverty to economic 
self-sufficiency. In its 12 years of operation, ODEP has influenced the 
workforce development system, as well as the disability field with the 
introduction of customized employment, flexible workplace approaches, 
and universal strategies for workforce development, among other 
innovative initiatives. Building on this history of innovation, ODEP 
launched an Employment First (EF) technical assistance initiative to 
provide States with technical assistance to facilitate the use of 
integrated employment. This is accomplished by removing barriers at 
State and local levels to the placement of individuals with 
disabilities in integrated employment and promoting policy changes to 
make integrated

[[Page 24454]]

employment the first option for youth and adults with significant 
disabilities.
    ODEP launched the Employment First Leadership State Mentoring 
Program (EFLSMP) to assist States in developing and implementing EF 
policies. Thirty States started to participate in technical assistance 
sessions and discussions on a number of topics related to implementing, 
assessing, and disseminating information regarding EF policies via an 
online Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP sessions started in the 
fall of 2012 and will run monthly until the spring of 2014 via the 
portal ePolicyWorks.
    Promoting and disseminating EF practices and strategies is a 
critical step toward addressing the persistent problem of low 
participation rates of individuals with disabilities in the workforce 
and fulfilling the promise of full integration. As a multitude of 
local, State, and Federal agencies are involved in making the adoption 
and implementation of EF strategies a success, initiatives to align 
policies, regulations, and funding are needed. Technical assistance 
provided through the EFLSMP provides participating States with 
information on how to restructure funding patterns, support 
collaboration, build staff capacity, and ultimately increase 
competitive, integrated employment outcomes for individuals with 
disabilities. ODEP's EF initiative is innovative in its inclusion of a 
variety of State partners, including:

1. Department of Rehabilitation Services;
2. Department of Mental Health;
3. Department Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities;
4. Workforce Development System;
5. Department of Education (Special Education Division); and
6. Medicaid agencies.

    This data collection is also designed to gauge the effectiveness of 
ODEP's efforts to promote the implementation of EF policies and 
practices and determine how well remote training and online forums 
facilitate the implementation of EF activities in each participating 
state. Findings from this census of participating CoP states also will 
provide the DOL with important information for strategic planning, 
program replication, and development of disability employment policies, 
approaches, and practices.

II. Review Focus

    DOL is interested in comments that:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary, and 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
    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond.
    Comments submitted in response to this Notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the ICR; they will also become a matter of public record.

III. Current Actions

    Agency: Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment 
Policy.
    Title: Employment First Leadership State Mentoring Program 
Community of Practice Survey.
    Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Total Respondents: 30.
    Frequency: Once for each of 6 staff-members of the respondent.
    Total Responses: 180.
    Average Time per Response: 15-20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 47.
    Total Other Burden Cost: $1,850.

    Signed at Washington, DC, April 22, 2014.
Kathleen Martinez,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014-09813 Filed 4-29-14; 8:45 am]
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