Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: January 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 8)]

[Notices]

[Page 1955]

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

[DOCID:fr13ja98-34]

Notices Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section.

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Study of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Participant and Program Characteristics: 1998 and 2000

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collection of the Study of WIC Participant and Program Characteristics: 1998 and 2000.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 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.

Comments may be sent to: Michael E. Fishman, Acting Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Study of WIC Participant and Program Characteristics: 1998 and 2000.

OMB Number: Not yet assigned.

Expiration Date: N/A.

Type of Request: New collection of information.

Abstract: The purposes of the study of WIC participant and program characteristics are to collect data, prepare reports, and develop analysis files on the characteristics of WIC participants and programs for 1998 and 2000. Data collected for the study will be used by the Food and Nutrition Service to manage the WIC Program, prepare WIC budgets, answer specific analytic questions, and guide future research. Data on characteristics of individuals receiving benefits from WIC have personal identifiers removed and are then compiled electronically from State management information systems. This information is analyzed for patterns in aggregate data. Surveys of State and local WIC agencies provide information on agency policies and practices. The Food and Nutrition Service has been using this protocol to biennially collect participant and program characteristic data since 1992.

The Study's Data Collection Component Is Comprised Of

1. Mail surveys in 1998 and 2000 to the 88 State WIC agencies (50 States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the American Virgin Islands, and 33 Indian Tribal Organizations) that deliver WIC services. The survey obtains information on State WIC program characteristics and includes questions on: income determination policies and procedures; documentation and recording of nutritional risk criteria and dietary intake data; food package tailoring practices; breastfeeding promotion and documentation; frequency of food instrument issuance; actual/estimated average costs of food packages; State-specific information on nutritional risk eligibility criteria; and computerization.

2. Mail surveys in 1998 and 2000 to a nationally representative sample of 400 local WIC agencies. The survey provides the Food and Nutrition Service with information on actual delivery of WIC services and collects data on: the structure of local agencies; income eligibility; nutritional risk eligibility; nutrition education; food package tailoring; breastfeeding promotion and documentation; health care and social service referrals; and computerization. The 1996 study of WIC participant and program characteristics included a survey of 400 local agencies and the same agencies will be surveyed in both 1998 and 2000 to provide a longitudinal sample for analyzing changes in local agency policies and procedures.

Affected Public: WIC State and local agency administrators.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 88 State WIC administrators and 400 local WIC administrators.

Estimated Time per Response: For the 88 State WIC administrators, one 20 minute response in 1998 and one 20 minute response in 2000. For the 400 local WIC administrators, one 30 minute response in 1998 and one 30 minute response in 2000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 229 hours in 1998 and 229 hours in 2000.

Dated: December 19, 1997. Yvette Jackson, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.

[FR Doc. 98-732Filed1-12-98; 8:45 am]

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