[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 12906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05446]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    Title: State Access and Visitation Grant Application.
    OMB No.: 0970--NEW.

Description

    The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act 
of 1996 (PRWORA) created the ``Grants to States for Access and 
Visitation'' program (AV grant program). Funding for the program began 
in FY 1997 with a capped, annual entitlement of $10 million. The 
statutory goal of the program is to provide funds to states that will 
enable them to provide services for the purpose of increasing 
noncustodial parent (NCP) access to and visitation with their children. 
State governors decide which state entity will be responsible for 
implementing the AV grant program and the state determines who will be 
served, what services will be provided, and whether the services will 
be statewide or in local jurisdictions. The statute specifies certain 
activities which may be funded, including: Voluntary and mandatory 
mediation, counseling, education, the development of parenting plans, 
supervised visitation, and the development of guidelines for visitation 
and alternative custody arrangements. Even though OCSE manages this 
program, the funding for the AV grant is separate from funding for 
federal and state administration of the Child Support program.
    Section 469B(e)(3) of the Social Security Act (Pub. L. 104-193) 
requires that each state receiving an Access and Visitation (AV) grant 
award monitor, evaluate and report on such programs in accordance with 
regulations (45 CFR part 303). The AV Grant Program Terms and 
Conditions Addendum references administration of the grant program in 
accordance with an approved state application. Additionally, the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, states that there is an 
application requirement for Grants to States for Access and Visitation 
Programs (93.597). The application process will assist OCSE in 
complying with this requirement and will reflect a greater emphasis on 
program efficiency, coordination of services, and increased attention 
to family safety.
    This new, modified application reflects a greater emphasis on 
program efficiency, coordination of services, and increased attention 
to family safety. This application will cover three fiscal years. The 
applications will include information on how grantees plan to: Spend 
grant funds, monitor service delivery, and implement safety protocols 
to ensure client and staff safety. OCSE will review the applications to 
ensure compliance with federal regulation and provide enhanced targeted 
technical assistance. The application will also assist states in 
strategic planning of services and knowledge sharing.
    OCSE will review the applications to ensure that planned services 
meet the requirements laid out in section 469B(e)(3) of the Social 
Security Act (Pub. L. 104-193). This review will include monitoring of 
program compliance and the safe delivery of services. In addition to 
monitoring, the report will also assist in OCSE's ability to provide 
technical assistance to states that would like assistance.

Respondents

Recipients of the Access & Visitation Grant (54 States andTerritories)

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                                  Number of      Average burden
                 Instrument                      Number of      responses per      hours per       Total burden
                                                respondents       respondent        response          hours
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Fillable word document......................              54                1               10              540
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 540.

Additional Information

    Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research 
and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20201. Attention 
Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the 
title of the information collection. Email address: 
[email protected].

OMB Comment

    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of 
information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document 
in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment is best assured of having 
its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. 
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent directly to the following: Office of 
Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, Email: 
[email protected], Attn: Desk Officer for the Administration 
for Children and Families.

Robert Sargis,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-05446 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4184-01-P