[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 52 (Friday, March 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16449-16450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05427]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Adoption and Foster 
Care Analysis and Reporting System (OMB #0970-0422)

AGENCY: Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, 
Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau, the Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF), in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) is requesting a three-year extension of the data information 
collection for the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting 
System (AFCARS) that was implemented as part of the AFCARS final rule 
published in May 2020 (85 FR 28410). There are no proposed changes to 
the information collection published as the final rule in May 2020.

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: State and tribal title IV-E agencies are required to 
report AFCARS case-level information on all children in foster care and 
children who have been adopted or placed in a

[[Page 16450]]

guardianship with title IV-E agency involvement. The data collected 
will inform policy decisions, program management, and responses to 
Congressional and Departmental inquiries. Specifically, the data are 
used for short/long-term budget projections, trend analysis, child and 
family service reviews, and to target areas for improved technical 
assistance. The data will provide information on the number of children 
in foster care, the reasons they enter and exit care, and how to 
prevent their unnecessary placement in foster care. Specifically, the 
data include information about children who enter foster care, their 
entries and exits, placement details, and foster/adoptive parent 
information. This extension request is unrelated to any potential new 
regulatory activity that may occur subsequently. This request is for 
public comment on the burden calculations. It does not seek comment on 
the data elements that have been through the rulemaking process.
    Respondents: Title IV-E State and Tribal Child Welfare Agencies.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Total number   Average burden
           Instrument              Total number    of responses      hours per     Total burden    Annual burden
                                  of respondents  per respondent     response          hours           hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFCARS-Recordkeeping............              69               3           8,358       1,730,106         576,702
AFCARS-Reporting................              69               6              17          21,114           7,038
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 583,740.
    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: Section 479 of the Social Security Act and 45 CFR 
1355.44-45.

John M. Sweet, Jr.,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-05427 Filed 3-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-25-P