[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27114-27116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10525]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Transition Assistance Program Employment 
Navigator and Partnership Pilot, New Collection

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Chief Evaluation 
Office, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Information Collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and 
federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or 
continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95). This program helps to ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents is properly assessed. Currently, DOL is soliciting comments 
concerning the collection of data about the Transition Assistance 
Program Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot evaluation. A copy 
of the proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) can be obtained by 
contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before July 19, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either one of the following 
methods: Email: [email protected]; Mail or Courier: Janet 
Javar, Chief Evaluation Office, OASP, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-
2312, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: 
Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All 
submissions received must include the agency name and OMB Control 
Number identified above for this information collection. Comments, 
including any personal information provided, become a matter of public 
record. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for 
OMB approval of the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Javar by email at

[[Page 27115]]

[email protected] or by phone at (202) 693-5954.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) of the U.S. Department of Labor 
(DOL) intends to design and conduct an evaluation of a new DOL-funded 
initiative called the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Employment 
Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP). The goal of this study is to 
assess the feasibility of delivering individualized career counseling 
to transitioning service members (TSMs) and military spouses. The ENPP 
addresses a requirement of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act 
(NDAA) to offer individual counseling as part of the transition process 
for the TAP.
    The ENPP study is comprised of a formative and early implementation 
evaluation to assess the fidelity of implementation across 
approximately 13 sites; identify promising practices and challenges 
that arise during implementation; understand how cooperation and 
coordination among relevant stakeholder groups can be reinforced to 
improve program outcomes; and document how trainings, direct services, 
and warm handovers/connections can be enhanced prior to program 
expansion to additional military bases. Additionally, findings from the 
study may be used to add contextual depth and understanding to the 
interpretation of findings from DOL's measurement of ENPP outcomes.
    This Federal Register Notice provides the opportunity to comment on 
proposed data collections that will be used in the evaluation: TAP 
manager focus group; program partner focus group; military spouse 
participant focus group; TSM (post-Navigator) participant focus group; 
TSM (post-Partner) participant focus group; and program Employment 
Navigator focus group.
    1. TAP manager focus group. Virtual focus group with TAP managers 
to collect perceptions of effectiveness of communication and outreach 
strategies.
    2. Program partner focus group. Virtual focus group with partners 
to collect satisfaction with onboarding process, connections, and data 
systems.
    3. Military spouse participant focus group. Virtual focus group 
with military spouses to collect perceptions of communication and 
outreach strategies, satisfaction with scheduling logistics, and the 
services received from the Employment Navigator.
    4. TSM (post-Navigator) participant focus group. Virtual focus 
group with enlisted TSMs to collect perceptions of communication and 
outreach strategies, satisfaction with scheduling logistics, and the 
services received from the Employment Navigator.
    5. TSM (post-Partner) participant focus group. Virtual focus group 
with enlisted TSMs to collect perceptions of match between services 
desired and received, the appropriateness of the services, and whether 
they would recommend the program.
    6. Program Employment Navigator focus group. Virtual focus group 
with Employment Navigators to collect perceptions of their overall 
preparedness to deliver services, the data systems they use, and 
perceptions of the partners they've worked with.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, DOL is soliciting comments concerning the above data 
collection for the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP) 
study. DOL is particularly interested in comments that do the 
following:
    [cir] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    [cir] evaluate the accuracy of the agency's burden estimate of the 
proposed information collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions;
    [cir] enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [cir] minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology--for example, permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    At this time, the Department of Labor is requesting clearance for 
the TAP manager focus group; program partner focus group; military 
spouse participant focus group; TSM (post-Navigator) participant focus 
group; TSM (post-Partner) participant focus group; and program 
Employment Navigator focus group.
    Type of Review: New information collection request.
    OMB Control Number: 1290-NEW.
    Affected Public: Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP) 
staff, program partners, and participants.
    Comments submitted in response to this request will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

                                          Estimated Annual Burden Hours
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                                                                                      Average
   Type of instrument  (form/        Number of       Number of     Total number     burden time      Estimated
            activity)               respondents    responses per   of responses    per response    burden hours
                                                    respondent                        (hours)
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TAP manager focus group protocol          \1\ 15               1              15             1.5              23
Program partner focus group               \2\ 24               1              24             1.5              36
 protocol.......................
Military spouse participant               \3\ 21               1              21             1.5              32
 focus group protocol...........
TSM (post-Navigator) participant          \4\ 29               1              29             1.5              44
 focus group protocol...........
TSM (post-Partner) participant            \5\ 21               1              21             1.5              32
 focus group protocol...........
Program Employment Navigator              \6\ 17               1              17             1.5              26
 focus group protocol...........
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    Total.......................             127  ..............             127  ..............             191
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\1\ Assumes virtual focus groups with approximately 30 TAP managers at approximately 13 sites over the two-year
  clearance period.
\2\ Assumes virtual focus groups with approximately 48 program partners over the two-year clearance period.
\3\ Assumes virtual focus groups with approximately 42 military spouse participants at approximately 13 sites
  over the two-year clearance period.
\4\ Assumes virtual focus groups with approximately 58 transitioning service members at approximately 13 sites
  over the two-year clearance period.
\5\ Assumes virtual focus groups with approximately 42 transitioning service members at approximately 13 sites
  over the two-year clearance period.
\6\ Assumes virtual focus groups with approximately 34 program Employment Navigators at approximately 13 sites
  over the two-year clearance period.



[[Page 27116]]

Christina Yancey,
Chief Evaluation Officer, U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2021-10525 Filed 5-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-HX-P