[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43527-43528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15633]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Building Evidence on 
Employment Strategies (BEES) (OMB #0970-0537)

AGENCY: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration 
for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), of the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is proposing to 
extend data collection activity for BEES. We are not proposing any 
changes to the currently approved materials.

DATES: Comments are due within 60 days of publication. In compliance 
with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 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: The purpose of BEES is to evaluate the effectiveness 
of a range of programs designed to improve employment and earnings 
outcomes for individuals with low incomes. More specifically, BEES is 
primarily evaluating programs that serve adults whose employment 
prospects have been affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental 
health conditions. This is being accomplished through impact and 
implementation studies. When possible, a randomized control trial 
research design is being used for the impact evaluations. This request 
for an extension is to complete the following data collection 
activities: baseline, updated contact information, and follow up 
surveys for the impact studies; an online staff survey; and qualitative 
interviews with program participants and staff. In addition to 
collecting these data, the BEES project will continue to maintain 
consent forms for the collection of administrative data. Data collected 
is being used to estimate the effects of the participating programs on 
employment, earnings, and other key outcomes for the purpose of 
assessing the effectiveness of the programs.
    Respondents: The respondents in this extension will include 
individuals who will enroll in BEES and complete the baseline survey 
during this period. All study participants will be fielded the follow 
up survey. We will also conduct qualitative interviews with program 
staff and participants in the participating sites 1-2 times. Lastly, 
program staff will be asked to complete a web-based survey.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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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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                             Burden for previously approved, ongoing data collection
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Attachment D1-D5. Baseline                 3,000               1            0.25             750             250
 information form for
 participants...................
Attachment E. Contact Update               4,300               1             0.1             429             143
 Letter and Form................
Attachment F. Program managers,               80               2             1.5             360             120
 staff, and partner interview
 guide--SUD Programs............
Attachment G. Program managers,               20               2             1.5              45              15
 staff, and partner interview
 guide--Whole Family Approach
 Programs.......................
Attachment K-1. 12-month Follow-           4,300               1             0.5         2,149.5             717
 Up Participant Interview.......
Attachment L. Program Managers,              200               2             1.5             300              99
 Staff, and Partners Interview
 Guide..........................
Attachment M. Participant Case                84               1             1.5             126              42
 Study Interview Guide..........
Attachment N. Program Staff Case              84               1               1              84              28
 Study Interview Guide..........
Attachment O. Program Staff                  300               1             0.5             150              50
 Survey.........................
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,464.
    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.

[[Page 43528]]

    Authority: Section 413 of the Social Security Act as amended by the 
FY 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31).

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-15633 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-09-P