The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program is designed: (1) to strengthen and improve the programs and activities carried out under Title V; (2) to improve coordination of services for at risk communities; and (3) to identify and provide comprehensive services to improve outcomes for families who reside in at risk communities.
The FY 2011 Formula FOA marks the beginning of the second year of the federally-supported home visiting initiative. Through this application, states will build on the plans developed during the first year of the program and will continue efforts to establish (or build on existing) home visiting programs within their states.
HRSA is requesting emergency processing procedures for the FY 2011 Formula FOA because the applications for FY 2011 funding must be submitted and reviewed before the expiration of the normal time limits under regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320 and to ensure that successful applicants receive funding before the end of the 2011 fiscal year.
Emergency clearance is requested for the following reasons:
If we were to obtain normal clearance through even an abbreviated public comment period, this would result in a significant delay in publishing the Formula FOA. As a result, states would not have sufficient time to respond to the FOA within a time period that would allow for the appropriate review, ranking, selection, and subsequent award of funding before the end of the FY 2011 fiscal year.
The development of the Formula FOA has required significant policy decisions that will have considerable implications for states and the success of this Federal program. Accordingly, various Federal agencies have provided critical review and input to ensure the proper foundation and future direction of this important initiative. As a result, HRSA only recently has been able to send a draft FOA forward for clearance.
The development of the Formula FOA has depended on the completion of extensive discussions with OMB regarding the allocation of FY 2011 funds for states/jurisdictions between formula and competitive funding opportunities. This information was required before the state-by-state formula allocations could be calculated and the final requirements could be incorporated into the Funding Opportunity Announcement.
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.