Disapproved. According to CNCS' 8/30/99 response to OMB concerns, *[T]his study's purpose is designed to determine whether and how Americorps programs are meeting the needs of communities where Americorps programs serve, as these needs are defined by the communities, themselves.* OMB does not believe the study as designed will appropriately answer this question, and thus the information provided will lack practical utility. The study basically captures 4 pieces of information for a set of about 20 *community attributes*. For each community attribute we learn the respondents perception of: (a) whether the attribute is valuable to the community, (b) whether the attribute increased since Americorps had a presence in the community, (c) how significant Americorps role has been in that increase, (d) whether the increase would have occurred in the absence of Americorps. First, in no way will the study as designed inform on *how Americorps programs are meeting the needs of communities where Americorps programs serve.* For example, one of the community attributes listed is *Youth Awareness of Sex.* Suppose we learn from the survey that this attribute has increased in the eyes of the respondent and this was due in large part to Americorps presence. We do not learn how exactly Americorps was involved. Did Americorps hand out literature, lead an initiative for more sex ed classes in the local schools, etc.? Second, the study only partially informs on whether *whether Americorps programs are meeting the needs of communities where Americorps programs serve.* The purpose statement quoted above indicates that the study is supposed to assess community needs as they are defined by the respondents and then measure whether Americorps helps to meet those needs. OMB believes that the study should be designed to more directly ascertain community needs. It is not clear CNCS plans to link information in the survey to community needs. For example, a respondent may indicate that *conflict resolution skills* have been valuable to the community, but does that tell us whether it is a community need. It could be very valuable to the community, the attribute may have increased due to Americorps (according to the respondent) but we still do not know if it is in fact an area of need. Furthermore, even if we accept that the study can appropriately identify the needs of the communities, (or that there are appropriate alternative data sources for this information), this study will give us very little insight into whether Americorps programs are helping to meet those needs. The only information provided will be that of the perception of the respondents. There will be no objective information to support those perceptions, nor will there be any explanation from the respondent on why they feel Americorps has had a significant role and why they believe the increase in the attribute would not have occurred in the absence of the community attribute. It is our belief that in order for the information on perception to have practical utility in answering the CNCS purpose question above, there would need to be at a minimum both follow-up questions to better understand the rationale for the perception and objective information to support the perceptions. By objective information, we mean for example, changing incidence of crime in the community to inform on the *public safety* attribute and growth in the Victims Witness Assistance program to inform on the *Victim Witness Assistance Program* attribute. OMB believes that the study as designed would basically produce information on community positive or negative feelings about Americorps and its progress. In other words you could answer questions about community members optimism concerning the role of the programs in addressing those community attributes that the respondents believe to have been the most valuable.
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Previously Approved
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The Corporation for National Service is conducting a survey to evaluate the outcomes of efforts of local, State, and national organizations that engage American adults in results-driven community service. The respondents will be a sample of 580 community partners of AmeriCorps' State and national programs. This data collection will address program impact and net societal benefit achieved by Corporation-supported national service programs.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Assessment of the Value-Added Effect of National Service Programs on the Communities They Serve