Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: December 28, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 248)]

[Notices]

[Page 72694]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr28de99-126]

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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 and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed evaluation of the year 2000 Summer Youth Employment and Training Program. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before February 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Greg Knorr, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., room N-5637, Washington, DC 20210; 202-219-5782 ext. 120 (this is not a toll-free number); gknorr@doleta.gov; Fax: 202-219-5455 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: .

1. Background

   This evaluation will be a national study in summer 2000 of youth employment programs and services under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The last comprehensive national study of the summer program (the Title IIB program under the Job Training Partnership Act) was conducted in 1993. The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is bringing about major changes in the way employment and training services are delivered to economically disadvantaged youth. It consolidates summer and year-round services, calls for a minimum funding level for serving out-of-school youth, mandates that certain types of services be made available to youth, includes a more comprehensive emphasis on performance accountability, and requires local Workforce Investment Boards to establish active Youth Councils. This evaluation will examine the newly integrated system of youth employment services and programs as they are operated during the summer 2000, the first year of WIA implementation. The project calls for a comprehensive report based on site visits to 28 local Workforce Investment Areas (WIAs) and a mail survey of all WIAs.

2. Review Focus

   The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

   ‹bullet› 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;

   ‹bullet› 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;

   ‹bullet› Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

   ‹bullet› 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 submissions of responses.

3. Current Actions

   The proposed study will (1) describe the summer program as it is operating across the country, including activities of the Youth Councils, provision of the newly mandated services, and linkages with other agencies and organizations; (2) discuss how summer services are being integrated with year-round services; (3) examine the quality of the academic component in particular detail, describing academic programs that WIAs believe are especially effective for their youth; (4) describe how the WIAs devote attention/resources to reach and provide services to out-of-school youth; (5) assess the extent to which youth are engaged in work that needs to be done, complete the summer component and plan to return to school; (6) highlight innovative and adaptable practices; and (7) examine the data and information that WIAs are collecting or will be able to collect regarding individual progress, performance, and impacts of the program, including exploration of the feasibility of a national impact study of summer programs conducted under WIA.

   Type of Review: New.

   Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

   Title: Evaluation of the Year 2000 Summer Youth Employment and Training Program.

   Affected Public: Individuals and State, Local or Tribal Government.

   Total

   Total Average time per Cite/reference

   respondents Frequency responses responses

   Burden

   Survey of all WIAs............

   642 One-time.........

   642 2 hours.......... 1,284 hours. Site Visits to 28 WIAs........

   28 One-time.........

   28 6 hours.......... 168 hours. Totals.................. ........... .................

   670 ................. 1,452

   Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $30,000.

   Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0--one-time only.

   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: December 20, 1999. Gerard F. Fiala, Administrator, Office of Policy and Research.

   [FR Doc. 99-33534Filed12-27-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4510-30-M