THE SUPPORTING STATEMENT
State Plan for Grants to States for Refugee Resettlement
Justification
1. Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary
In order for a State to receive refugee resettlement assistance funds, it must submit a plan that meets the requirements of title IV of the Refugee Act and 45 CFR Part 400.
2. Purpose and Use of the Information Collection
The plan assures ORR that the State is capable of administering refugee assistance and coordinating employment and other social services for eligible caseloads in conformity with specific requirements (see #1). Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has significant impacts on States’ administration of Refugee Medical Assistance and requires additional information to ensure accountability and compliance with regulations. Also, Revised Medical Screening Guidelines for Newly Arriving Refugees policy (State Letter #12-09) requires additional assurances that medical screening is conducted in compliance with regulations and policies. The increasing complexity of the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program, impacted by changes in federal child welfare legislation as well as state child welfare statutes, regulations and IV-B and IV-E plans, necessitates additional information and assurances for review of State Plans for URM programs against requirements and mandatory standards under 45 CFR Part 400, subpart H and associated State Letters and ORR guidance cited in the State Plan checklist. Additional information and assurances address administrative structure and state oversight, legal responsibility, eligibility, services and case review/planning, and interstate movement.
3. Use of Improved Information Technology and Burden Reduction
Data for this information collection will accepted electronically.
4. Efforts to Identify Duplication and Use of Similar Information
No other data source collects similar information.
5. Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities
NA
6. Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently
ORR formula Refugee Social Services program funds are allocated annually to states based on a 2-year refugee and other eligible population data. The absence of an approved state plan would impede the awarding of such funds.
7. Special Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5
There are no special circumstances required in the collection of this information in a manner other than required by OMB.
8. Comments in Response to the Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside the Agency
ORR shared proposed revised documentation with grantees and held national conference call with grantees discussing proposed renewal and revision. ORR did not receive substantive comments on the proposed collection.
9. Explanation of Any Payment or Gift to Respondents
NA
10. Assurance of Confidentiality Provided to Respondents
Data in the applications are not confidential.
11. Justification for Sensitive Questions
There are no questions of a sensitive nature in the application requirements.
12. Estimates of Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
Instrument |
Number of Respondents |
Number of Responses per Respondent |
Average Burden Hours per Response |
Total Burden Hours |
Title IV State Plan |
50 |
1 |
15 |
750 |
Estimated average annual burden is 750 hours.
13. Estimates of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents and Record Keepers
There are no costs to respondents or record keepers.
14. Annualized Cost to the Federal Government
Instrument |
Number of Respondents |
Average Burden Federal Hours Per Review |
Average Estimated Cost Per Hour |
Total Burden Hours Per Response |
Title IV State Plan |
50 |
8 |
$45 |
400 |
Estimated Total Annualized Cost to the Federal Government |
$45 x 400 hours |
$18,000 |
||
This total covers time and effort of four staff to review, clarify and correct plans, photocopy and submit to approval process, and file.
15. Explanation of Program Changes or Adjustments
This request is a renewal of the existing instrument with small revisions. While there are no program changes, ORR is making few adjustments.
ORR is changing submission date of the State Plan from October 30 to August 15. New State Plan submission date will, once approved, coincide with the budget estimate submission date. Simultaneous review of the State Plan and budget estimate will enable ORR to conduct better analysis and make better planning and projections.
ORR is also revising the structure of the document checklist by aligning it to State Letters issued in the past couple of years to ensure consistency of the Plans.
Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule
States must submit by August 15 each year new or amended State Plan for the next Federal fiscal year. For previously approved plan, States must certify no later than October 31 each year that the approved State plan is current and continues in effect.
Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date is Inappropriate
NA
Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
There are no exceptions to the certification statemnt.
B. Statistical Methods (used for collection of information employing statistical methods)
Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods
NA
Procedures for the Collection of Information
There will be no additional procedures for the collection of information
Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse
All States submit responses annually, so there is need for additional method to maximize response rates.
Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken
There will be no additional procedures or methods undertaken.
Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data
NA
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Constance Combs |
| Last Modified By | Goran D |
| File Modified | 2014-10-15 |
| File Created | 2008-06-23 |