NonSub Change - GenIC OCC Qs on Implementation of CC ARPA Funds - Attachment A - Add CCRSA Qs

To: Jordan Cohen

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Dawn Ramsburg

Office of Child Care

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Date: February 18, 2022

Subject: NonSubstantive Change Request – Generic Information Collection under Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support Umbrella Generic (OMB #0970-0531)

This memo requests approval of nonsubstantive changes to the approved generic information collection (GenIC), Information to Inform the Office of Child Care about Implementation of Child Care American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds – Child Care Stabilization Funds Follow Up Questions (OMB #0970-0531).

Background

OMB approved a GenIC request for two interview guides related to the implementation of Child Care American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on November 26, 2021.

• Child Care Stabilization Funds Follow Up Questions: Interviewer Guide (Attachment A)

• Child Care Supplemental Grants: Interviewer Guide (Attachment B)

The goal is to help the Office of Child Care (OCC) identify the technical assistance needs to support the implementation of the ARP child care stabilization grants. OCC began interviews in early 2022. In conducting the interviews, the OCC recognized that to get a full picture of the use of funds, it is important to know if the state is simultaneously using other relief funds, including ARP supplemental funds and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) funds and states’ progress towards full spenddown of these funding streams. While OCC is collecting information through the ARP supplemental questionnaire (Attachment B) on how CRRSA is being spent, how much is being spent is not already captured. Additionally, the obligation of the ARP stabilization and CRRSA funds is required by September 30, 2022, but outlay data available to the OCC lags far behind actual state spending, therefore the OCC is unable to tell from other data sources which states need technical assistance to fully spend these funds.

Overview of Requested Changes

OCC requests adding the following questions to the Child Care Stabilization Funds Follow Up Questions: Interviewer Guide (Attachment A), following the first question in the protocol:

• What percentage of your state’s allocated Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) funds has your state obligated?

• Do you have any concerns about your state’s ability to obligate 100% of your CRRSA funds or 100% of your ARP Stabilization funds by September 30, 2022? What support do you need in obligating both funding streams?

The protocol has been updated accordingly.

Time Sensitivities

Interviews have begun using the original protocol, and information on the CRRSA spending is needed for immediate planning and support. OCC would appreciate a quick approval of this request.