This information collection request (ICR) is for a revision to the umbrella Generic for Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Program Monitoring Activities. The overall proposed purposes, uses, and scope of the umbrella remain unchanged. The only changes are to the burden estimates, as described in sections A12 and A15.
The Generic for ACF Program Monitoring Activities allows ACF program offices to collect standardized information from recipients that receive Federal funds to ensure oversight, evaluation, support purposes, and stewardship of Federal funds. The information is necessary to ensure compliance with Federal and programmatic requirements, monitor progress on recipient activities, and determine and respond to recipient needs such as Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA).
ACF is primarily a grant-making agency that promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities with partnerships, funding, guidance, T/TA.
ACF program offices have evolving monitoring needs, dependent on both internal and external factors, such as but not limited to: current grantee activities, needs; uses of federal funds; changes to aspects of programs based on statutory authority, federal regulations or policy, and/or Congressional appropriations; availability of program office funds for site visits (v. desk monitoring); matters of importance related to national health and safety needs of the public, or other events that lead to program changes. There are times when standardized collections of information would be helpful for program offices as they monitor recipient activities and needs.
This generic clearance allows program offices the flexibility to create tailored information collections based on current circumstances and to receive approval for these in a timely manner. This also allows for the implementation of standard recordkeeping requirements that align with the purpose and use of these monitoring data collections. This is important to allow for ACFâs:
monitoring of compliance with federal practice, guidelines and requirements,
⢠quick understanding of and remediation to national, regional, and/or site-specific issues,
⢠provision of support as needed,
⢠accurate assessment of the efficiency and efficacy of recipient activities,
⢠documentation of promising practice, innovative services, and program strengths,
⢠flexible and responsive oversight of federal funds.
Based on the past 3 years and with a goal to reduce burden moving forward the estimated annual burden for potential new requests is 31 percent less than the currently approved umbrella generic. Overall we have:
⢠Decreased the estimated average time per response from an average of 12 hours to just under 2 hours
⢠Increased the estimated number of respondents slightly
⢠Increased the estimated number of responses per respondent from 2.5 to 3
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.