[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 29 (Friday, February 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8019-8020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02920]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[OMB No. 0970-0506]


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Evaluation of 
Employment Coaching for TANF and Related Populations

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

ACTION: Request for Public Comment.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is 
proposing to continue ongoing approved data collection activities and 
add additional activities for the sample enrolled in the Evaluation of 
Employment Coaching for TANF and Related Populations (Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB)#: 0970-0506). This includes (1) an 
extension for the previously approved second follow-up survey data 
collection; (2) new data collection through a third follow-up survey; 
and (3) new data collection through follow-up semi-structured 
interviews with management, staff, supervisors, and participants.

DATES: Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is 
soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information 
collection described above.

ADDRESSES: You can obtain copies of the proposed collection of 
information and submit comments by emailing 
[email protected]. Identify all requests by the title of 
the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Description: This study is providing an opportunity to learn more 
about the potential of coaching to help clients achieve self-
sufficiency and other desired employment-related outcomes. It includes 
the following employment programs: MyGoals for Employment Success in 
Baltimore; MyGoals for Employment Success in Houston; Family 
Development and Self-Sufficiency program in Iowa; LIFT in New York 
City, Chicago, and Los Angeles; Work Success in Utah; and Goal4 It! in 
Jefferson County, Colorado. Together, these programs include Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agencies and other public or 
private employment programs that serve low-income individuals. Each 
site has a robust coaching component and the capacity to conduct a 
rigorous impact evaluation. This study is providing information on 
whether coaching helps people develop self-regulation skills, obtain 
and retain jobs, advance in their careers, move toward self-
sufficiency, and improve their overall well-being. To meet these 
objectives, this study includes an impact and implementation study, as 
approved by OMB. The approved impact study initially included two 
follow-up surveys at approximately 9 months and 21 months, 
respectively, after random assignment.
    This submission, in part, builds on the existing impact study, 
which randomly assigned participants to either a ``program group,'' who 
were paired with a coach, or to a ``control group,'' who were not 
paired with a coach. The effectiveness of the coaching will be 
determined by differences between members of the program and control 
groups in outcomes such as obtaining and retaining employment, 
earnings, measures of self-sufficiency, and measures of self-
regulation.
    The proposed extension for the second follow-up survey data 
collection under OMB #0970-0506 will allow sample members who enrolled 
at the end of the study intake period to complete the second follow-up 
survey. There are no changes to the previously approved information 
collection. Additionally, the proposed new information collection 
through a third follow-up survey will provide information about 
participants at least 4 years after random assignment. This survey will 
provide rigorous evidence on whether the coaching interventions are 
effective, for whom, and under what circumstances over the longer term. 
The information collected at a later follow-up point will be used to 
assess how employment coaching might have a continued effect on 
participants long after they have left coaching programs.
    This submission also builds on the existing implementation study. 
The proposed new information collection through follow-up semi-
structured interviews with management, staff, supervisors, and 
participants under OMB #0970-0506 will enable additional input from 
employment coaching program staff and participants on the processes and 
perceptions of employment coaching. The proposed new data collection 
instruments will provide descriptive information about how coaches form 
trusting relationships with their participants and other key topics 
that have emerged as important in analysis of previously collected 
study data.
    Respondents: Individuals enrolled in the Evaluation of Employment 
Coaching for TANF and Related Populations study. All participants will 
be able to opt out of participating in the data collection activities.

Annual Burden Estimates

[[Page 8020]]



                        Burden Remaining From Previously Approved Information Collections
       [Note: Data collection for the second follow-up is expected to be completed within the next year.]
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                                                 Number of        Number of
                                                respondents     responses per   Average  burden
                 Instrument                     (total over       respondent     per  response    Annual  burden
                                                  request        (total over       (in hours)       (in hours)
                                                  period)      request period)
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Second follow-up survey.....................             824                1             0.75              618
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 618.

                                              New Burden Requested
                    [Note: New data collection is expected to take place over about 3 years]
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                                                     Number of
                                     Number of     responses per      Average
                                    respondents     respondent      burden per     Total  burden  Annual  burden
           Instrument               (total over     (total over    response  (in    (in hours)       (in hours)
                                      request         request         hours)
                                      period)         period)
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Third follow-up survey..........           4,239               1            0.75           3,179           1,060
Semi-structured management                    20               1               1              20               7
 interviews.....................
Semi-structured staff and                     40               1               1              40              13
 supervisor interviews..........
Semi-structured participant                   14               1             2.5              35              12
 interviews, MyGoals............
Semi-structured participant                    7               1               2              14               5
 interviews, LIFT...............
Semi-structured participant                   14               1             1.5              21               7
 interviews, FaDSS and Goal4 It!
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,104.
    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. 613.

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-02920 Filed 2-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-09-P