[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28943-28944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13304]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0825]


Agency Information Collection Activity: The Veterans' Outcome 
Assessment (VOA) (Veteran Survey Interview)

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed 
collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish 
notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved 
collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice.

DATES:  Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before August 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Cynthia Harvey-Pryor, Office of Information & Technology 
(005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20420 or email to [email protected]. Please 
refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0825'' in any correspondence. During 
the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Harvey-Pryor at (202) 461-
5870.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies 
must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request 
for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.

    Authority:  Public Law 112-239 Sec. 726

    Title:
    a. Veterans Outcome Assessment--Baseline
    b. Veterans Outcome Assessment--Follow Up
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0825.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The mental health outcomes information obtained through 
this new collection will be used by VA leadership, including those in 
the Offices of Mental Health Operations and Mental Health Services, 
Network offices, and VA Medical Centers. Such information on Veteran 
mental health outcomes is crucial to guide resource allocation and 
programmatic decisions for mental health programs and to intervene 
effectively to prevent individual adverse outcomes such as suicide, 
overdose deaths, and morbidities associated with mental illness and to 
support recovery-oriented treatment designed to improve functioning and 
reduce symptoms. The data will allow VA policy makers to reliably track 
national performance on a quarterly basis and to track VISN performance 
on a yearly basis. These data will reveal trends in outcomes over time 
and will help in pinpointing programs that are doing well in terms of 
patient outcomes, so that other programs can emulate their practices, 
as well as identifying those programs that are performing poorly so 
that steps can be taken to improve them. Results of the survey will be 
reported to Congress and will influence decisions on funding. The VOA 
will thus provide Veterans who are experiencing mental health problems 
with a direct voice in program evaluation and improvement. Summary data 
on performance also will be available on a public Web site, as mandated 
by the NDAA, to provide Veterans and their families with additional 
information for purposes of managing their mental health treatment and 
U.S. citizens with information regarding VA's mental health programs

[[Page 28944]]

and Veterans satisfaction with their care.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 11,236 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: .42 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 26,752.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,
Department Clearance Officer, Office of Privacy and Records Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-13304 Filed 6-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P