[Federal Register: March 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 48)]
[Notices]
[Page 12447-12448]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14mr05-33]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
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 requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning a self
assessment tool: ``My Improvement Plan''. This is a tool we are
planning on launching in conjunction with new rules for AmeriCorps.
``My Improvement Plan,'' is designed to strengthen the Corporation's
accountability in cost effectively developing grantee core management
competencies (such as financial and grants management, resource and
fund development, performance measurement and evaluations, etc.) and
achieving targeted results.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office
listed in the ADDRESSES section by May 13, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the
information collection activity, by any of the following methods:
(1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community
Service, Office of Leadership Development and Training; Attention Mr.
David Bellama, Associate Director, Room 9623; 1201 New York Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20525.
(2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at
Room 6010 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
(3) By fax to: (202) 208-4151, Attention Mr. David Bellama,
Associate Director.
(4) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system:
dbellama@cns.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bellama, (202) 606-5000, ext.
483, or by e-mail at dbellama@cns.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested
in comments that:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Corporation, 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; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses).
Background: Since mid-2003, the Corporation has invested heavily in
developing this program management tool in collaboration with ETR
Associates and the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at
the University of Texas. ``My Improvement Plan'' is a valid and
reliable assessment tool targeted for use by all CNCS grantees.
Individuals working with the Corporation's AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and
Learn and Serve programs will complete competence self-assessment
questions on-line, generate their individual learning plans and be
linked to relevant training and technical assistance (T/TA) resources.
Individual responses will be anonymous. However, the system will
aggregate user responses nationally and by state. This tool will drive
the Corporation's knowledge management system, enabling program
officers and T/TA providers to assess grantee needs, target and deliver
T/TA, track and report on users' progress in acquiring core
competencies. The development of
[[Page 12448]]
these core competencies will enable grantees to meet the Corporation's
compliance requirements and build service organizations that deliver
projected results.
The tool will be available online at http://www.nationalservice.org/resources
for use by grantees and interested
members of the public. Users will complete the tool online and will be
provided with a report on their overall strengths and weaknesses.
Online T/TA tools will be suggested for their use. We plan to fully
utilize the tool's capacity for aggregating state-wide, regional and
national level data on grantee T/TA needs and progress. This data will
be used to analyze the overall strengths and weaknesses of grantee
projects in order to better focus T/TA efforts and maximize return on
T/TA investment.
Current Action: The Corporation is seeking approval of the self
assessment tool entitled My Improvement Plan: A Self Assessment Tool
for Project Management. The self assessment tool consists of a pre-
assessment tool and questions relating to 10 building blocks. The pre-
assessment tool has 36 screening questions that help users determine
the building blocks they should address. The building blocks cover the
following topics: Board and advisory leadership, organizational
culture, community collaboration, program accountability, financial
management, staffing and management, marketing and communication,
infrastructure, volunteer management, and service-learning.
Type of Review: New.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: My Improvement Plan: A Self Assessment Tool for Project
Management.
OMB Number: None.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: Current grantees and interested public.
Total Respondents: 4,000.
Frequency: Once a year.
Average Time Per Response: 3 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 12,000 hours per year.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
Comments submitted in response to this notice 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: March 8, 2005.
Gretchen Van Der Veer,
Director, Office of Leadership Development and Training.
[FR Doc. 05-4898 Filed 3-11-05; 8:45 am]