[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68184-68185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24616]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed 
collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish periodic summaries of 
proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects 
or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the 
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-0361.
    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collections of 
information are 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) ways to enhance 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.

Proposed Project: SAMHSA SOAR Web-Based Data Form (OMB No. 0930-0329)--
Revision

    In 2009 the SAMHSA created a Technical Assistance Center to assist 
in the implementation of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social 
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Outreach, Access, and Recovery 
(SOAR) effort in all states. The primary objective of SOAR is to 
improve the allowance rate for the Social Security Administration's 
(SSA) disability benefits for people who are experiencing or at risk of 
homelessness, and who have serious mental illnesses.
    During the SOAR training, the importance of keeping track of SSI/
SSDI applications through the process is stressed. In response to 
requests from states implementing SOAR, the Technical Assistance Center 
under SAMHSA's direction developed a web-based data form that case 
workers can use to track the progress of submitted applications, 
including decisions received from SSA either on initial application or 
on appeal. This password-protected web-based data form is hosted on the 
SOAR Online Application Tracking (OAT) website (https://soartrack.samhsa.gov). Use of this form is completely voluntary.
    There are two parts to the SOAR Web-based Data Form. Part I of the 
SOAR Web-based Data Form is intended for SOAR-trained case workers to 
enter the outcomes of SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI applications. Part II of 
the SOAR Web-based Data Form includes two sections reserved for SOAR 
State Team Leads to report annually. The first section of Part II 
collects quantitative summary data from states that do not track SOAR-
assisted SSI/SSDI applications using the SOAR Web-based Data Form Part 
I. The second section of Part II collects qualitative (open-ended) 
questions on annual SOAR accomplishments, identified challenges, and 
collaborations.
    Data from Part I of the SOAR Web-based Data Form can be compiled 
into reports on decision results and the use of SOAR critical 
components, such as the SSA-1696 Appointment of Representative, which 
allows SSA to communicate directly with the case worker assisting with 
the application. These reports will be reviewed by agency directors, 
SOAR state-level leads, and the SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center 
to quantify the success of the effort overall and to identify areas 
where additional technical assistance is needed.
    There are four proposed changes to Part I of this form. Four 
additional demographic questions will be asked in Demographic section 
of the SOAR Data Form Part I to include race, ethnicity, gender, and 
expanded response options re: involvement in the criminal justice or 
legal system. These questions will be answered by all 700 case worker 
respondents, on average 3 times per year. There are two proposed 
changes to Part II. Two additional response options were added into the 
Collaborations section of the Qualitative Questionnaire to provide 
respondents the opportunity to describe collaborations with child-
serving organizations along with whether meetings and trainings were 
for SOAR for Adults or SOAR for Children. These questions will be 
answered by 75 respondents once per year.

[[Page 68185]]

    The estimated response burden is as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Numbers of     Responses per       Total         Hours per      Total hour
            Form name               respondents     respondent       responses       response         burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOAR Web-based Data Form (Part               700               3           2,100             .25             525
 I).............................
Annual Report Questions (Part                 75               1              75               1           37.50
 II)............................
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................             775  ..............           2,175  ..............          562.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Send comments to Carlos Graham, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 
Room 15E-57A, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 OR email him a 
copy at [email protected]. Written comments should be 
received by January 13, 2023.

Carlos Graham,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-24616 Filed 11-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P