[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 229 (Thursday, November 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83543-83544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26307]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Tribal Early Childhood 
Facilities Combined Application Guide (New Collection)

AGENCY: Office of Early Childhood Development, Administration for 
Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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[[Page 83544]]

SUMMARY: The Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD), 
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS), is requesting Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval of the Tribal Early Childhood Facilities Combined 
Application Guide for joint applications for construction and major 
renovation projects using both Head Start and Child Care and 
Development Fund (CCDF) resources.

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: Funding for facilities under the CCDF is authorized by 
section 658O(c)(6) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
(CCDBG) Act, 42 U.S.C. 9858(c)(6), and is managed by the Office of 
Child Care (OCC). Funding for Head Start facilities projects is 
authorized by 45 CFR part 1303 (subpart E) Head Start Program 
Performance Standards and is managed by the Office of Head Start (OHS). 
The guide streamlines the process for Tribal CCDF Lead Agencies and 
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Head Start programs 
submitting collaborative, joint applications to use federal CCDF and 
Head Start funds for facilities projects where funds can be used for 
reasonable costs and fees related to planning for a facilities project 
and to support the application development in tribal communities. Both 
funds aim to construct or improve early childhood facilities, often 
serving the same children, but application submission and review 
processes are currently unique to each respective funding stream. The 
proposed information collection will provide instructions to Tribal 
CCDF Lead Agencies and AI/AN Head Start programs on submitting joint 
plans for how proposed facilities projects will enable the programs to 
better serve current AI/AN families or increase enrollment currently 
limited by inadequate facilities. The guide will provide critical 
information and resources, so recipients understand the requirements of 
each program and develop plans that reflect the needs of their 
communities. Reducing and streamlining administrative burdens for 
tribal constituents follows policy priorities laid out in the 2022 HHS 
Equity Action Plan and is in alignment with Executive Order 14095--
Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and 
Supporting Caregivers.
    Respondents: AI/AN Head Start Facilities and Tribal CCDF Lead 
Agencies (information collection does not include direct interaction 
with individuals or families that receive the services).
    Annual Burden Estimates: We estimate at most 10 applications per 
year and have estimated burden based on this maximum number.

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                                                              Annual number of   Average burden
               Instrument                  Total number of     responses per       hours per      Annual burden
                                             respondents         respondent         response          hours
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Tribal Early Childhood Facilities                       10                  1              100            1,000
 Application Guide......................
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    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. 9858(c)(6); 45 CFR part 1303 subpart E.

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-26307 Filed 11-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-87-P