PSTAP_PL 116-315 Section 4306 OMB Justification June 2023

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Outreach, Transition
and Economic Development
Memorandum for Record
PL 116-315 Section 4306/Post Separation Transition Assistance
Program Assessment Outcome Study Information Collection
Request Justification

SUBJECT: PL 116-315 Section 4306/Post Separation Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Assessment
Outcome Study (PSTAP) Information Collection Request Justification Memorandum.
Background: The PSTAP Assessment is administered by VA to assess how the TAP training for
Transitioning Service members (TSMs) prepares Veterans for civilian life and its effects on long-term
Veteran outcomes. This information collection request (ICR) is conducted once per year and is designed
as two separate collections which include a Cross-Sectional Survey and a Longitudinal Survey. The survey
population for the Cross-Sectional Survey includes all Veterans who meet the criteria at the time of
fielding of having separated from the military at six months, one year, and three years prior to the date
that surveys. Service members who participated in the Cross-Sectional Survey and voluntarily agreed to
participate in the Longitudinal Survey make up the Longitudinal Survey population.
VA will use email and mail methods to administer the survey, limiting the burden on respondents. The
surveys will be administered to gauge the long-term effectiveness of the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP) by: (1) examining the relationship between attendance in TAP courses and the use of VA Benefits;
(2) analyzing the effect of participation in TAP courses on the long-term outcomes of Veterans in the
broad life domains of employment, education, health and social relationships, financial, social
connectivity and overall satisfaction and well-being, and; (3) identifying areas of improvement for TAP
and the broader transition process to guide training and/or operational activities aimed at enhancing
the quality of service provided to transitioning service members, Veterans, their families and caregivers.
Discussion: Section 4306 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration
to conduct a longitudinal study on changes to Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and provide annual
progress reports and a final report. The Section 4306 Study is being added to this current ICR as it closely
mirrors the PSTAP Assessment in terms of cohorts and data collected. The overlap in Veterans for the
two studies would cause additional burden to thousands of Veterans. Adding the 4306 Study to the
current PSTAP Assessment reduces this burden while ensuring both studies collect the data required to
meet Congressional and Government requirements.
Specifically, the revisions to the cross sectional survey submitted with the ICR are as listed below. The
same modifications were made to the associated longitudinal questions:
Questions with minor modifications: 1, 2, 9, 58, 59
Questions added: 10, 11, 17, 28, and 29
Summary: Combining the two studies with one ICR will ensure VA meets the legislative requirements of
PL 116-315 Section 4306, is able to continue the PSTAP project with the lowest burden on Veterans.
Digitally signed by
WILLIAM
WILLIAM BRINLEY
Date: 2023.06.20 08:33:26
BRINLEY
-04'00'
_____________________

William Brinley
Senior Management and Program Analyst, TAP Governance
Office of Outreach, Transition and Economic Development
Veterans Benefits Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs