NonSub Change - Interim Burden Increase

To: Jordan Cohen

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Molly Jones

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE)

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Date: June 22, 2022

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

This memo requests approval of nonsubstantive changes to the approved overarching generic clearance, Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support (OMB #0970-0531).

Background

The Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support generic was created to allow ACF program offices learn more about program services, including program or grantee processes and needs in an effort to improve ACF decision-making and program support. The generic was approved as a new overarching generic in July 2019. Since approval, ACF program offices have found the generic to be very useful and there was a higher than originally estimated demand to submit generic information collection requests. While we adjusted burden estimates in 2020, we are still learning and adjusting.

Some of the high demand has been due to the unforeseen and unprecedented situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, including extraordinary increases in funding and related new programming. This umbrella generic has proved very useful for program offices to collect formative information about what programs and grantees are doing in response to the pandemic and to identify needs. This includes gathering feedback from grantees about spending down new funding and implementing new programs. This umbrella generic has also continued to be particularly useful for informing ACF technical assistance, developing support efforts and resources, and informing ACF programming and research efforts.

The current approval for this umbrella generic expires July 31, 2022. The 60-day comment period related to this extension request began on January 28, 2022 (87 FR 4603) and no comments were received. We intend to submit the request as soon as possible once review is completed of all pending individual generic information collections. We do, however have one final request that is developed and ready to submit for which we do not have enough burden left under the umbrella generic. For that reason, we are currently requesting a nonsubstantive change for a minor burden increase to allow for the submission of the final individual generic so data collection can begin and stay within contract and related timelines for funding.

Overview of Requested Changes

We are requesting an interim increase in burden of 300 hours. This amount is based on ACF’s submission of one additional individual generic clearance.

Time Sensitivities

We need to submit the final request as soon as possible to allow submission of the extension request in advance of the upcoming expiration date of the umbrella generic.