[Federal Register: November 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 210)]
[Notices]
[Page 63401-63402]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01no04-95]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Proposed information Collection Activity; Comment Request
Proposed Projects
Title: Social Services Block Grant Postexpenditure Report.
OMB No. 0970-0234.
Description:
Purpose: To improve the quality of Social Services Block Grant
(SSBG) expenditure data, the postexpenditure reporting form and
instructions need minor formatting revisions to reduce confusion and
reporting inconsistencies that have resulted from the current form. As
a block grant, SSBG provides the States with a flexible source of funds
for social service needs. Accurate accounting of how these funds are
used and whom they serve is critical to ensure that necessary and
sufficient funding continues to be allocated. For
[[Page 63402]]
this reason, the following changes are being proposed to the current
form:
1. The expenditures columns will be reordered so that when reading left
to right, the three types of funding that sum to total expenditures--
SSBG allocation, funds transferred into SSBG, and expenditures of all
other Federal, State, and local funds--are listed prior to total
expenditures.
2. A space will be added, and referenced in item 29, where States can
report more detail about other services. This added information will
help to define the specific services funded under this service
category.
3. The column for total adults will be removed. A new column, ``Adults
of Unknown Age'' will be added. The three age groups of adults--
``Adults Age 59 and younger,'' ``Adults Age 60 and older,'' and
``Adults of Unknown Age''--should equal the total number of adults.
4. The recipients columns will be reordered so that when reading left
to right, the four ages of recipients--children, adults age 59 and
younger, adults age 60 and older, and adults of unknown age--are listed
prior to total recipients.
The SSBG program provides funds to assist States in delivering
social services directed toward the needs of children and adults in
each State. Funds are allocated to the States in proportion to their
populations. States, including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American
Samoa, have substantial discretion in their use of funds and may
determine what services will be provided, who will be eligible, and how
funds will be distributed among the various services. State or local
SSBG agencies (i.e., county, city, or regional offices) may provide the
services or may purchase them from qualified agencies, organizations,
or individuals. States report as recipients of SSBG-funded services any
individuals who receive a service funded at least partially by SSBG.
States are required to report their annual SSBG expenditures on a
standard postexpenditure report, which includes a yearly total of
adults and children served and annual expenditures in each of 29
service categories. Reporting requirements for SSBG were originally
described in the Federal Register, Volume 58, Number 218, on Monday,
November 15, 1993. The report is due either 6 months after the end of
the reporting period or at the time the State submits the
preexpenditure report for the reporting period beginning after that 6
month period. The report must address: (1) The number of individuals
(as well as number of children and number of adults) who receive
services paid for in whole or in part with Federal funds under the
Social Services Block Grant; (2) The amount of Social Services Block
Grant funds spent in providing each service; (3) The total amount of
Federal, State, and local funds spent in providing each service,
including Social Services Block Grant funds; and (4) The method(s) by
which each service is provided, showing separately the services
provided by public agencies and private agencies.
Information collected on the postexpenditure report is analyzed and
described in an annual report on SSBG expenditures and recipients
produced by the Office of Community Services. The information contained
in this report is used to establish how SSBG funding is used for the
provision of services in each State to each of many specific
populations of needy individuals.
Respondents: This report is completed once annually by a
representative of the agency that administers the Social Services Block
Grant at the State level in each State, the District of Columbia, and
the Territories.
Annual Burden Estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Average burden
Instrument Number of responses per hours per Total burden
respondents respondent response hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postexpenditure Report...................... 56 1 110 6,160
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Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,160.
In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and
Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the
information collection described above. Copies of the proposed
collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded
by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC
20477, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail
address:grjohnson@acf.hhs.gov. All requests should be identified by the
title of the information collection.
The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted
within 60 days of this publication.
Dated: October 26, 2004.
Robert Sargis,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-24349 Filed 10-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M