[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31573-31577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14030]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Modernizing Channels of
Communication With SNAP Participants
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and public agencies to comment on
this proposed information collection for the Modernizing Channels of
Communication with SNAP Participants study. This is a new information
collection.
The primary purpose of the study is to highlight best practices and
lessons learned from various mobile communication strategies (MCS)
implemented by State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
agencies. This examination will help FNS and States improve
communication and identify best practices that lead to improved program
outcomes.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 3,
2019.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal; go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online
instructions for submitting comments electronically. Comments may also
be sent to Andrew Burns, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302 or
submitted via fax to the attention of Andrew Burns at 703.305.2576 or
via email to [email protected].
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will
be a matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection should be directed to Andrew
Burns at 703.305.1091 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on the following
topics: (1) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary
for the proper performance of the agency's functions, including whether
the information shall have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection,
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the information
collection on those who are to respond, including use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology (IT).
Title: Modernizing Channels of Communication with SNAP
Participants.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Number: 0584-NEW.
Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
Type of Request: New information collection.
Abstract: Section 17 [7 U.S.C. 2026] (a)(1) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, provides general legislative
authority for the planned data collection. It authorizes the Secretary
of Agriculture to enter into contracts with private institutions to
undertake research that will help improve the administration and
effectiveness of SNAP in delivering nutrition-related benefits.
In recent years, many States have enhanced their use of MCS to
enable SNAP participants to access information about SNAP, receive
alerts and notifications, and perform certain case management
functions. These MCS offer SNAP participants an alternative means of
interacting with SNAP agencies and have the potential to improve
customer access and streamline case management activities. While there
is a high level of variability in MCS features and functionality across
States, MCS has the potential to assist with the following activities:
1. Clients Providing Information to States
[ssquf] Applying or recertifying activities: MCS can help with
broad functions, such as providing an eligibility screener, or with
more personalized activities, like scheduling an interview, submitting
documentation, and checking an application's status.
[ssquf] Reporting changes: Participants can use MCS to report
changes that may affect their case. This could include information like
changes in household size or income, or, for individuals subject to
work requirements, changes in work hours.
2. States Providing Information to Clients
[ssquf] Sending notifications: States can use MCS to provide
notifications to participants, including identifying verifications
needed to process an application, updating office closures, and
informing participants about account changes.
[ssquf] Responding to client inquiries: MCS can be used to answer
frequently asked questions, link participants to community partners or
resources like food banks or workforce development centers, respond to
individual questions, and facilitate online chatting with eligibility
workers.
[ssquf] Managing benefits and electronic benefit transfer (EBT):
Participants can use MCS to manage their benefits and EBT cards.
USDA FNS has funded the Modernizing Channels of Communication With
SNAP Participants study to highlight best practices and lessons learned
from various MCS tested in State SNAP agencies in order to understand
the range of functions available through MCS and assess clients'
perspectives on how these tools affect their completion of typical
tasks. This examination will help FNS and States improve communication
and identify best practices that lead to improved program outcomes.
FNS identified four study objectives for this project. The first
objective will present the landscape of mobile technology use for SNAP
across the nation and provide a basis for selecting the MCS case study
sites. The second and third objectives, which are the focus of this
information collection request, are descriptive and will provide FNS
with an understanding of the State
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processes, challenges, and distinct features of mobile technologies and
the clients' experiences with these technologies. The fourth objective
will summarize the best practices and lessons learned for States that
choose to implement MCS moving forward.
The study will gather data through site visits to five States with
SNAP MCS. Data will be collected in each of the five study States
through (1) interviews with the State SNAP director, State MCS leads
and other staff involved in MCS implementation, local SNAP office
staff, and State software developers or IT staff; (2) interviews with
community partners; (3) interviews with for-profit organizations (e.g.,
software developers or IT staff); and (4) focus groups with
individuals/household (i.e., SNAP participants) and surveys of SNAP
applicants and waiting room visitors. These data will provide
information on States' and program recipients' use of MCS and client
satisfaction with and perspectives on MCS.
Affected Public: (1) State, Local and Tribal governments, (2)
Business-Not-for-profit business organizations, (3) Business for-profit
organizations, and (4) Individuals/households.
Respondent Type groups identified includes--
1. State, Local and Tribal government: State SNAP director, State
staff involved in MCS implementation, local SNAP office staff, and
software developers or IT staff
2. Business-Not-for-profit business organizations: Community
partners serving low-income populations and involved in MCS testing,
implementation and/or outreach.
3. For-profit organizations: Third-party vendors (e.g., mobile app
developers).
4. Individuals: SNAP participants who have used MCS, SNAP
applicants who may or may not have used MCS, and SNAP eligible local
office waiting room visitors, including MCS nonusers.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of
respondents is 433 (67 State and local government staff, 10 for-profit
organization staff, 20 not-for-profit staff (staff from community
partners), 336 individuals (166 SNAP participants and 170 waiting room
visitors)). Of the 433 contacted, 315 are estimated to be responsive
and 118 are estimated to be nonresponsive. The breakout follows:
1. 67 State and local government staff: Of 6 State SNAP directors,
5 are estimated to be responsive; of 30 State staff involved in MCS
implementation, 25 are estimated to be responsive; of 25 local SNAP
office staff, 20 are estimated to be responsive; and of 6 software
developers or IT staff, 5 are estimated to be responsive.
2. 20 Not-for-profit business (community partners): Of 20 community
partners, 15 are estimated to be responsive.
3. 10 for-profit business staff: Of 10 software developers or IT
staff from for-profit businesses, 5 are estimated to be responsive.
4. 336 Individuals (SNAP participants and applicants/waiting room
visitors): Of 166 SNAP participants who use MCS, 120 are estimated to
be responsive and 46 are estimated to be unresponsive. Of the 120
responsive participants who complete the screener, 90 will be eligible
for the focus groups and 30 will be ineligible. Of 170 local SNAP
office waiting room visitors, including MCS nonusers, 120 are estimated
to be responsive and 50 will be unresponsive. Of the 120 who are
responsive, 100 will be eligible for the questionnaire and 20 will be
ineligible.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: The average
respondent will have 2.80 responses (based on 433 total annual
respondents, with 315 responsive and 118 nonresponsive). See table 1
for the estimated number of responses per respondent for each type of
respondent.
The breakout follows:
1. State and local government staff. The estimated number of
responses per State and local government staff is 3.5:
Out of 6 State SNAP directors, 5 State SNAP directors will
respond to advance materials and scheduling and 1 State SNAP director
will not respond. 5 responsive State SNAP directors will participate in
an interview, and receive a follow-up email.
Out of 15 State SNAP MCS leads, 10 State SNAP MCS leads
will respond to advance materials and scheduling, and 5 will not
respond. 10 will then participate in an introductory telephone
interview, and receive a follow-up email. Later in the study, 25 MCS
staff (the original 10 MCS leads and 15 other staff involved in MCS
implementation) will respond to advance materials and scheduling for an
in-person interview and 5 will not respond. 25 will participate in the
interview, and receive a follow-up email.
Out of 6 State software developers or IT staff, 5 State
software developers or IT staff will respond to advance materials and
scheduling and 1 will not respond. 5 will participate in an interview,
and receive a follow-up email.
Out of 25 local SNAP office staff, 20 local SNAP office
staff will respond to advance materials and scheduling and 5 will not
respond. 20 will participate in a group interview, and receive a
follow-up email.
2. Not-for-profit businesses. The estimated number of responses per
not-for-profit businesses is 3.0:
Out of 25 community partners, 20 community partners will
respond to advance materials and scheduling and 5 will not respond. 20
will participate in an interview, and receive a follow-up email.
3. For-profit businesses. The estimated number of responses per
for-profit businesses is 3.0:
Out of 10 software developers or IT staff from for-profit
businesses, 5 software developers or IT staff from for-profit
businesses will respond to advance materials and scheduling and 5 will
not respond. 5 will participate in an interview, and receive a follow-
up email.
4. Individuals. The estimated number of responses per individual is
2.7:
Out of 166 SNAP participants, 120 individuals who are SNAP
participants and MCS users will respond to advance materials and 46
will not respond. 120 individuals who complete an eligibility screener
will be eligible and 46 will be ineligible. 120 eligible individuals
will receive reminders and 90 will participate in a focus group.
Out of 170 SNAP eligible visitors to SNAP local office
waiting rooms, 120 visitors to SNAP local office waiting rooms,
including MCS nonusers, will respond to a request to participate in an
onsite questionnaire and 50 will not respond. Out of the 120 visitors
who respond, 100 visitors will be eligible and will participate in the
waiting room questionnaire and 20 will be ineligible.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,114 (895 annual responses for
responsive participants and 219 annual responses for nonresponsive
participants).
Estimated Time per Response: The estimated time of response varies
from 0.03 hours to 1.5 hours depending on respondent group and
activity, as table 1 shows.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 315.02 hours (295.22
hours for responsive participants and 19.80 hours for nonresponsive
participants). See table 1 for estimated total annual burden for each
type of respondent.
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Table 1--Estimated Total Burden per Respondent Type
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Responsive Nonresponsive Grand
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Instruments and Sample annual
Respondent category Type of respondents activities size Number of Frequency Total Hours per Annual Number of Frequency of Total Hours per Annual burden
respondents of annual response burden nonrespondents response annual response burden estimate
response responses (hours) responses (hours) (hours)
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State, local, and tribal government
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State government.................... State SNAP director... Advance materials and 6.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 1.5
preparation for
interviews, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
State SNAP director... In-person semi- 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 1.00 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 5.0
structured interview
protocol.
State SNAP director... Follow-up email....... 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.03 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.2
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Subtotal for State SNAP director 6.0 5.0 3.0 15.0 0.43 6.42 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 6.7
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State MCS leads....... Advance materials and 15.0 10.0 1.0 10.0 0.25 2.50 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 3.8
preparation for
introductory
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
State MCS leads....... Introductory call with 10.0 10.0 1.0 10.0 1.00 10.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 10.0
State staff interview
protocol.
State MCS leads....... Follow-up email....... 10.0 10.0 1 10.0 0.03 0.33 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.3
State MCS leads and Advance materials and 30.0 25.0 1.0 25.0 0.25 6.25 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 7.5
other staff involved preparation for in-
in MCS implementation. person interview,
including scheduling
calls and reminders.
State MCS leads and In-person semi- 25.0 25.0 1.0 25.0 1.50 37.50 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 37.5
other staff involved structured interview
in MCS implementation. protocol.
State MCS leads and Follow-up email....... 25.0 25.0 1 25.0 0.03 0.83 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.8
other staff involved
in MCS implementation.
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Subtotal for State staff involved in MCS 30.0 25.0 4.2 105.0 0.55 57.42 5.0 2.0 10.0 0.25 2.50 59.9
implementation
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Software developers or Advance materials and 6.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 1.5
IT staff. preparation for
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
Software developers or In-person semi- 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 1.00 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 5.0
IT staff. structured interview
protocol.
Software developers or Follow-up email....... 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.03 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.2
IT staff.
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Subtotal for software developers or IT staff 6.0 5.0 3.0 15.0 0.43 6.42 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 6.7
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Local government.................... Local SNAP office Advance materials and 25.0 20.0 1.0 20.0 0.25 5.00 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 6.3
staff. preparation for group
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
Local SNAP office In-person semi- 20.0 20.0 1.0 20.0 1.00 20.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 20.0
staff. structured group
interview protocol.
Local SNAP office Follow-up email....... 20.0 20.0 1.0 20.0 0.03 0.67 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.7
staff.
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Subtotal for local SNAP office staff 25.0 20.0 3.0 60.0 0.43 25.67 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 26.9
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State and local government subtotal................................................. 67.0 55.0 3.5 195.0 0.49 95.92 12.00 1.42 17.00 1.00 4.25 100.2
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Businesses
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Business For-Profit................. Software developers or Advance materials and 10.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 2.5
IT staff. preparation for
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
Software developers or In-person semi- 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 1.00 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 5.0
IT staff. structured interview
protocol.
Software developers or Follow-up email....... 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.03 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.2
IT staff.
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Subtotal for for- ...................... 10.0 5.0 3.0 15.0 0.43 6.42 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 7.7
profit businesses.
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Business Not-For-Profit............. Community partners.... Advance materials and 20.0 15.0 1.0 15.0 0.25 3.75 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 5.0
preparation for
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
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Community partners.... In-person semi- 15.0 15.0 1.0 15.0 1.00 15.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 15.0
structured interview
protocol.
Community partners.... Follow-up email....... 15.0 15.0 1.0 15.0 0.03 0.50 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.5
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Subtotal for Not-for-profit businesses 20.0 15.0 3.0 45.0 0.43 19.25 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 20.5
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Business subtotal 30.0 20.0 3.0 60.0 0.43 25.67 10.0 1.0 10.0 0.50 2.50 28.2
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Individuals/Households
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SNAP Participants MCS Users......... SNAP participants/MCS Recruitment materials. 166.0 120.0 1.0 120.0 0.03 3.60 46.0 1.0 46.0 0.03 1.38 5.0
users.
SNAP participants/MCS Eligibility screener.. 166.0 120.0 1.0 120.0 0.17 20.00 46.0 1.0 46.0 0.17 7.67 27.7
users.
Eligible SNAP Reminders............. 120.0 90.0 1.0 90.0 0.03 2.70 30.0 1.0 30.0 0.03 0.90 3.6
participants/MCS
users.
Eligible SNAP In-person focus group 90.0 90.0 1.0 90.0 1.50 135.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 135.0
participants/MCS protocol, consent
users. form, demographic
questionnaire.
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SNAP participants/MCS users subtotal 166.0 120.0 3.5 420.0 0.38 161.30 46.0 2.7 122.0 0.08 9.95 171.2
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SNAP Eligible Individuals........... SNAP eligible in Local In-person recruitment 170.0 120.0 1.0 120.0 0.03 4.00 50.0 1.0 50.0 0.03 1.50 5.5
office waiting room to participate.
visitors/MCS nonusers.
SNAP Eligible in Local Waiting room 120.0 100.0 1.0 100.0 0.08 8.33 20.0 1.0 20.0 0.08 1.60 9.9
SNAP office waiting questionnaire.
room visitors/MCS
nonusers.
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SNAP eligible subtotal 170.0 120.0 1.8 220.0 0.06 12.33 50.0 1.4 70.0 0.04 3.10 15.4
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Individuals subtotal................................................................ 336.0 240 2.7 640.0 0.27 173.63 96.0 2.0 192.0 0.07 13.05 186.7
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Total 433.0 315.0 2.8 895.0 0.33 295.22 118.0 1.9 219.0 0.09 19.80 315.0
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Dated: June 19, 2019.
Brandon Lipps,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14030 Filed 7-1-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P