[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11542-11543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03867]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Community Living

[OMB No. 0985-0067]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Public Comment Request; The Study on the Impact of COVID-19 on 
Adult Protective Service (APS) Programs

AGENCY: Administration for Community Living, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Community Living is announcing that the 
proposed collection of information listed above has been submitted to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance as 
required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This 30-Day notice 
collects comments on the information collection requirements related to 
requirements related to the extension with change to the Study on the 
impact of COVID-19 on Adult Protective Service (APS) Programs.

DATES: Submit written comments on the collection of information by 
March 29, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain Find the information collection by 
selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' 
or by using the search function. By mail to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New Executive Office Bldg., 725 17th St. 
NW, Rm. 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for ACL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Whittier Eliason, 
Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201 Phone: (202) 
795-7467 Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, ACL has 
submitted the following proposed collection of information to OMB for 
review and clearance. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) 
requests an extension with change to the approved data collection for a 
study on the impact of COVID-19 on Adult Protective Service (APS) 
Programs (OMB 0985-0067). Some elder advocates and law enforcement 
officers believe that the opioid epidemic is contributing to the 
increase in elder abuse.\1\ Even during the COVID-19 epidemic, regular 
press, briefs and editorials continue to report that the opioid abuse 
is still rising. Aging services and APS networks are likely to deal 
with more complex clients with opioid-related issues, placing enormous 
pressure on health care systems, emergency response services, law 
enforcement and other community services.2 3 4
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    \1\ Benson, W.F; Aldrich, N. Raising Awareness and Seeking 
Solutions to the Opioid Epidemic's Impact on Rural Older Adults.
    \2\ Blog Post (March 4, 2019): https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/opioids-and-elder-abuse-a-disquieting-connection/.
    \3\ Washington Post Article (June 17, 2019): https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/06/17/how-opioid-crisis-is-leading-elder-financial-abuse/?utm_term=.594b4dd84d9d.
    \4\ https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/missouris-aps-response-to-the-opioid-crisis/.
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    In the context of COVID-19, we need to make extra efforts to look 
at these challenges and look for ways to effectively meet the needs of 
these clients. The purpose of this 7-month study is to understand the 
nature, extent, and impact of opioids on older adults and their 
families by interviewing APS staff. The study will look magnitude and 
characteristics of these cases. It will look at what investigative 
methods and challenges are specific to opioid cases. Because of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, attention will also be made to the effects of 
pandemic on client circumstances, service gaps and needs, and outcomes. 
These are the objectives of the study:

 Identify the scope and characteristics of APS caseloads 
involving opioid abuse before and during COVID-19
 Identify investigative methods used and challenges to using 
these methods
 Identify interventions used and challenges to implementing 
these interventions
 Identify additional services needed
 Identify challenges that are particular to the COVID-19 
pandemic
 Assist ACL and other federal partners in targeting needed 
resources to have the highest impact

    Findings from this important study will shed light on what and how 
to improve APS responses to opioid-

[[Page 11543]]

related cases. Findings will be distributed via the APS-TARC website, a 
technical assistance resource center for APS programs. ACL will also 
explore other opportunities where findings can be shared via blogs, 
briefs, conference presentations and webinars.

Comments in Response to the 60-Day Federal Register Notice

    ACL published a 60-day Federal Register Notice in the Federal 
Register soliciting public comments on this request. The 60-day FRN 
published on December 1, 2020, Vol. 85, No. 231 page 77217. There were 
no public comments received.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                      Average
                                     Number of       Number of         Total        burden  per    Total burden
            Form name               respondents    responses per     responses     response (in        hours
                                                    respondent                        hours)
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APS Administrator Interview                   12               1              12             .75               9
 Guide..........................
APS Local Staff Interview Guide.              60               1              60             .75              45
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    Total.......................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............              54
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    Dated: February 19, 2021.
Alison Barkoff,
Acting Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 2021-03867 Filed 2-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4154-01-P