[Federal Register: December 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 237)]
[Notices]
[Page 73477-73478]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12de05-80]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
Proposed Projects
Title: TANF Time Limits Interview Guides for Site Visits.
OMB No.: New Collection.
Description: The imposition of federally imposed time limits on the
receipt of cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families (TANF) program was a central part of welfare reform. The Task
Order on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Separate State
Programs, Time Limits and Participation Requirements seeks to
understand how states have implemented TANF time limits and what
effects they have had on families receiving TANF. It provides an update
to a previous TANF time limits study now that most states now have had
several years of experience with the 60-month time limit under varying
economic conditions. The project draws on qualitative research
conducted through eight site visits as well as quantitative reserach
using state administrative records.
The site visits will include interviews with state TANF
administrators, local TANF office managers, and TANF caseworkers. The
interviews will be used to understand what decisions state
administrators made in designing time limit policies and how local
managers and line workers implement these decisions on a daily basis.
The interview guides will focus on the following topics: The basic time
limit policies in each state, how information is communicated to
families reaching time limits, what the process is for cases
approaching time limits, under what circumstances families can continue
to receive TANF benefits beyond the time limits, and whether there is
any follow-up with families that have reached time limits.
The quantitative research will draw on administrative records that
states routinely report to ACF. However, in some cases, it may be
necessary to conduct follow-up calls to state TANF officials to ask
questions about the data. In addition, in states that only report data
on subs samples of TANF families to ACF, it may be necessary to request
additional information that is maintained in reports that states
produce for their own internal management purposes.
Respondents: The respondents for the site visits will include state
TANF administrators, local TANF office administrators, and caseworkers
in eight states. An average of two local welfare offices will be
visited in each state. The states will be selected based on the
following criteria: (1) States with large TANF caseloads; (2) states
with smaller TANF caseloads where a substantial number of families have
reached time limits; and (3) states that make extensive use of
segregated funds or separate state programs. In addition, the study
will focus on states where little prior research has been conducted.
The respondents for the questions on administrative records will
include state TANF officials who are knowledgeable about administrative
data. It is estimated that calls will be made to 25 states.
The annual burden estimates are detailed below, and the substantive
content of each survey will be detailed in the supporting statement
attached to the forthcoming 30-day notice.
Annual Burden Estimates
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Number of
Instrument Number of responses per Average burden hours per Total burden
respondents respondent response hours
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Interview guide for state 8 1 90 minutes or 1.5 hrs.......... 12
administrators.
Interview guide for local 16 1 60 minutes or 1 hr............. 16
office managers.
Interview guide for case 64 1 60 minutes or 1 hr............. 64
workers.
Questions on state 25 1 60 minutes or 1 hour........... 25
administrative data.
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[[Page 73478]]
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 117.
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
Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail
address: infocollection@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: December 5, 2005.
Robert Sargis,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-23910 Filed 12-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M