[Federal Register: February 3, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 22)]
[Notices]
[Page 5193-5194]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03fe04-94]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Job Corps Health Questionnaire
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Employment & Training Administration is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed revision of the Health Questionnaire,
Form ETA 6-53, a copy of which is attached to this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Barbara J. Grove, RN, National Nurse
Consultant, Office of Job Corps, Room N-4456, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20210. E-Mail: grove.barbara@dol.gov; Telephone
number (202) 693-3116 (this is not a toll-free number); Fax number
(202) 693-3850 (this is not a toll-free number).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara J. Grove, RN, National Nurse
Consultant, Office of Job Corps, Room N-4456, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW. Washington, DC 20210. E-Mail: grove.barbara@dol.gov; Telephone
number (202) 693-3116 (this is not a toll-free number); Fax number
(202) 693-3850 (this is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background: The Job Corps program is
described in its enabling legislation under Public Law 105-220,
Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Section 145 establishes standards and
procedures for obtaining data from each applicant relating to their
needs. The Department of Labor's regulation at 20 CFR 670.410 further
details the recruitment and screening of applicants. Individuals who
wish to enroll in the Job Corps program must first be determined to be
eligible and selected for enrollment. This process is carried out by
admissions agencies, including state employment services, contracted to
recruit young people for the Job Corps program. The admission process
ensures that applicants meet all the admission criteria as defined in
the Policy and Requirement Handbook (PRH) Chapter 1, Outreach and
Admissions, July 2001. Nonmedical personnel in the admission's office
(admission counselors) conduct the admission interview and complete the
required application forms. The ETA 6-53 is completed on all applicants
who have been determined to be eligible and selected for the Job Corps
Program.
II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Department of Labor
is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection of
information in the revised Job Corps Health Questionnaire, particularly
comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility.
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
Minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission or responses.
A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be
obtained by contacting the office listed above in the addressee section
of this notice.
III. Current Actions: After the applicant has been determined to be
eligible and then selected for the Job Corps Program, the applicant is
assigned to a center. After being assigned to a center, the ETA 6-53 is
completed on all applicants. If additional health information is needed
from previous health care providers, this information is collected and
the admission packet in its entirety is sent to the center of
assignment. When the application is received on center, it is reviewed;
if there are health related issues, the application is forwarded to the
center's health services. After reviewing the application, if it is
felt that the applicant's health needs cannot be met on center, the
folder is sent to the Regional Office for review. The Regional Health
Consultant then reviews the folder and a recommendation is made to the
Regional Director. The Regional Director makes the final determination
regarding enrollment of the applicant. If the application is denied,
the applicant will be referred to other state and/or local agencies.
Experience throughout the Job Corps indicates that the Health
Questionnaire
[[Page 5194]]
is an excellent guide in identifying current and potential applicant
health needs. Its use results in considerable savings of time, by both
center health staff and regional health consultants and staff, and of
money, by reducing high medical program costs due to medical
separations.
Revisions of the ETA 6-53 have been made to reflect the Workforce
Investment Act, and to be more sensitive to applicants with health
needs.
Type of Review: Revision.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
Title: Job Corps Health Questionnaire, ETA 6-53.
OMB Number: 1205-0033.
Agency Number: ETA 6-53.
Record Keeping: The applicant is not required to retain the
records; admission counselors or contractor's main offices are required
to retain records of applicants who are enrolled in the program for
three years from the date of application.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Frequency: The form would be completed on each applicant.
Total Responses: 102,833.
Average Time for Responses: It takes approximately 5 minutes to
complete the form. (It may take longer for some applicants.)
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 8,569. [102,833 (number of
applications) / 12 (number of applications that can be completed in an
hour) = 8,569]
Total Burden Cost: Operating and maintenance services associated
with these forms are contracted yearly by the Federal government with
outreach and admissions contractors, according to designated recruiting
areas. This is one of the many functions the contractors perform for
which precise costs cannot be identified. Based on the past experience
of recruitment contractors, however, the annual cost for contractor
staff and related cost is estimated to be about $821,399. An additional
cost of $13,238 is added for the applicant's time. Making the total
cost $834,637. For the approximately 70 percent of the Job Corps
applicants who have never worked, no value is determined. For the
remaining 30 percent of applicants who have been in the work force
previously for any length of time, whether full time or less, the
current minimum wage of $5.15 is used to determine the value of the
applicant time.
Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and
Budget approval of the information collection request: they will also
become a matter of public record.
Dated: January 27, 2004.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-2121 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
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