DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
April 18, 2013.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV
or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E & T) Program Activity Report.
OMB Control Number:
0584–0339.
Summary of Collection:
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105–33), enacted on August 5, 1997, modified the Employment and Training (E&T) Program so that States' efforts are now focused on a particular segment of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (
formerly known as the Food Stamp Program
) population—able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Section 6(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 and 7 CFR 273.7 require each SNAP household member who is not exempt shall be registered for employment by the State agency at the time of application and once every twelve months thereafter, as a condition of eligibility. This requirement pertains to non-exempt SNAP household member age 16 to 60. Each State agency must screen each work registrant to determine whether to refer the individual to its E&T Program. States' E&T Programs are federally funded through an annual E&T grant. Both the Food Stamp Act and regulations require States to file quarterly reports about their E&T Programs so that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) can monitor their performance.
Need and Use of the Information:
FNS will collect quarterly reports about their E&T programs so that the Department can monitor State performance to ensure that the program is being efficiently and economically operated. Without the information FNS would be unable to make adjustments or allocate exemptions in accordance with the statute.
Description of Respondents:
State, Local, or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents:
53.
Frequency of Responses:
Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours:
21,890.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title:
Generic Clearance to Conduct Formative Research.
OMB Control Number:
0584–0524.
Summary of Collection:
This information collection is based on Section 19 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1787) Section 5 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1754) and Section 11(f) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020). Diet has a significant impact on the health of citizens and is linked to four leading causes of disease, which can reduce the quality of life and cause premature death. While these diet-related problems, including obesity affect all Americans, they have a greater impact on the disadvantaged populations served by many FNS programs. One of FNS' goals includes improving the nutrition of children and low-income families by providing access to program benefits and nutrition education. The basis of FNS' approach rests on the philosophies that all health communications and social marketing activities must be science-based, theoretically grounded, audience-driven, and results-oriented. FNS will collect information through formative research methods that will include focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), field-testing, curriculum, surveys and web-based information gathering tools.
Need and Use of the Information:
FNS will collect information to provide formative input and feedback on how best to reach and motivate the targeted population. The collected information will provide input regarding the potential use of materials and products during both the developmental and testing stages. FNS will also collect information regarding effective nutrition education and outreach initiatives being implemented by State agencies that administer nutrition assistance programs to promote repetition of promising practice-based intervention.
Description of Respondents:
Individuals or households; Not for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents:
151,700.
Frequency of Responses:
Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours:
58,405.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.