[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 245 (Monday, December 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83090-83091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28043]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Follow-up Study of 
Coaching Practices in Early Care and Education Settings (OMB #0970-
0515)

AGENCY: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration 
for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This is a primary data collection request for the Follow-up 
Study of Coaching Practices in Early Care and Education Settings (3), a 
follow-up to the previously approved Study of Coaching Practices in 
Early Care and Education Settings (SCOPE) survey (OMB #0970-0515). The 
study aims to examine, using surveys and qualitative interviews, the 
practice and processes of coaching and professional development in 
supporting early care and education (ECE) settings in their provision 
of care for preschool children and their families as COVID-19 has 
progressed. The study will focus on both centers and family child care 
(FCC) homes that serve low-income children, with a primary target of 
settings that serve children supported by Child Care and Development 
Fund subsidies or a Head Start grant.

DATES: Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with 
the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting 
public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection 
described above.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be 
obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing 
[email protected]. Alternatively, copies can also be 
obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20201, Attn: OPRE Reports Clearance Officer. All 
requests, emailed or written, should be identified by the title of the 
information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Description: Follow-up SCOPE will examine 
the practice of coaching and professional development more broadly 
provided in support of centers and FCC homes. The study will collect 
information on the following: How coaching and professional development 
are supporting centers and FCC homes; the perceived value and role of 
coaching, professional development, and quality improvement; the 
features of coaching and how they are delivered; and the role(s) of 
coaches and how they have been supported. The study will also examine 
the degree to which coaching has been sustained and/or changed compared 
to before COVID-19. In particular, there will be a focus on 
understanding the use of remote versus in-person strategies for 
coaching and professional development. This study aims to explore the 
implementation of coaching and professional development in ECE settings 
as COVID-19 has progressed. The study will not allow for statistical 
generalization to different sites or service populations.
    Survey and interview questions will focus on the current status of 
these activities at the time of the data

[[Page 83091]]

collection, changes compared to before COVID-19 began, and what has 
been challenging or worked well. The study will use surveys and 
interviews with center directors, FCC providers, and coaches. The 
sample frame will be comprised of respondents to the 2019 survey.
    Respondents: ECE center directors, coaches, and FCC providers who 
responded to 2019 SCOPE surveys.
    Annual Burden Estimates
    Data collection will be completed within a 1-year period.

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                                                                    Number of
                                                    Number of     responses per      Average
                                                   respondents     respondent      Burden per      Total/Annual
                   Instrument                      (total over     (total over    response (in      burden (in
                                                     request         request         hours)           hours)
                                                     period)         period)
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Coach Survey (Instrument 1)....................             100               1             .33               33
Center Director Survey (Instrument 2)..........              66               1             .33               22
FCC Provider Survey (Instrument 3).............              38               1             .33               13
Coach Interview (Instrument 4).................              12               1             .75                9
Center Director Interview (Instrument 5).......              24               1             .75               18
FCC Provider Interview (Instrument 6): FCC                   12               1             .75                9
 providers.....................................
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 104.
    Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 9858(a)(5), 42 U.S.C. 9835, and 42 U.S.C. 
9844.

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-28043 Filed 12-18-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-22-P