Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Head Start Program Performance Standards (Office of Management and Budget #: 0970-0148)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Head Start Program Performance Standards (Office of Management and Budget #: 0970-0148)

AGENCY:

Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension of the information collection requirements under the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970-0148, expiration August 31, 2024). On August 21, 2024, the Office of Head Start (OHS) published a final rule: Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming. This information collection contains changes to recordkeeping requirements as described in this final rule.

DATES:

Comments due within 30 days of publication.

OMB must make a decision about the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the

Federal Register

. Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to

www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. You can also obtain copies of the proposed collection of information by emailing

infocollection@acf.hhs.gov.

Identify all emailed requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description:

Section 641A of the Head Start Act, 42 U.S.C. 9836A, directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop “scientifically based and developmentally appropriate education performance standards related to school readiness” and “ensure that any such revisions in the standards do not result in the elimination of or any reduction in quality, scope, or types of health, educational, parental involvement, nutritional, social, or other services.” This information collection is entirely record keeping and does not contain any standardized instruments to provide flexibility for local programs. These records are intended to act as a tool for grantees and delegate agencies to be used in their day-to-day operations. For example, this includes the requirement that programs maintain a waiting list of eligible families. On August 21, 2024, OHS published a final rule, Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming (89 FR 67720). This information collection contains changes to recordkeeping requirements as described in this final rule.

Respondents:

Head Start grant recipients. Depending on the standard, the calculated burden hours is based on the individual enrollee, family, grant, program, or staff. In a few cases, only a proportion of one of these may apply.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument

Annual

number of

respondents

Annual

number of

responses per

respondent

Average

annual

burden hours

per response

Annual burden hours

Maintain written impasse procedures for resolving internal disputes

2,900

1

0.7

2,030

Documenting eligibility

260,000

1

0.25

65,000

Maintain a waiting list

2,900

1

2

5,800

Track attendance

2,900

1

5

14,500

Written plan to support program participation following temporary suspension

150

1

1

150

Obtain child developmental screenings and conduct standardized and structured assessment for individualizations

800,000

1

1

800,000

Dual Language Learners Assessment

269,000

1

2

538,000

Obtain determinations of child health status, source of health care, and identify each child's nutritional health needs

800,000

1

0.66

528,000

Documents lack of available funds for assessment and treatment

2,900

1

0.5

1,450

Maintaining records on the administration of medication

2,900

1

0.5

1,450

Maintenance of plan to prevent exposure to lead in water and paint

1,900

1

0.5

950

Waiver to family service worker assignment ratios

190

1

1

190

Joint agreements, procedures, or contracts with community organizations and memorandum of understanding with the appropriate local entity responsible for managing publicly funded preschool programs in the service area of the program

2,900

1

0.166

481

Documenting services to enrolled pregnant women

13,000

1

0.5

6500

Tracking wages for Head Start staff and staff in local school districts

2,900

1

5

14,500

Criminal record checks

74,000

1

0.33

24,420

Ensure all staff has an initial health examination and periodic re-examination

25,000

1

0.25

6,250

Regular volunteer screening for tuberculosis

2,900

1

0.166

481

Maintain automated accounting and recordkeeping system and Collect and use data to monitor program performance and continuous improvement, and conduct a self-assessment and community assessment

2,900

1

79

229,100

If deficient, EHS or HS program submits Quality Improvement Plan

100

1

10

1,000

Reporting child incidents

131

1

0.083

11

Submit proof of coverage

2,900

1

0.166

481

Parental Consent, Annual Notice, and Recordkeeping of PII Disclosure

723,000

1

0.33

238,590

Applications for the purchase, construction, or renovation of facilities; record retention and submission of documents on facilities

250

1

40

10,000

Waiver request

200

1

1

200

Up-to-date child rosters and lists of adults each child is authorized to be released to are maintained.

2,900

1

2

5,800

Agencies required to compete will have to complete an application for each grant competed

75

1

60

4,500

Each Head Start or Early Head Start agency wishing to be renewed for 5 years without competition shall request that status from ACF

400

1

0.25

100

Updating program and personnel policies and procedures that promote implementation of Head Start standards in the program

2,900

1

9

26,100

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:

2,526,034.

Authority:

Section 641A of the Head Start Act, 42 U.S.C. 9836A.

Mary C. Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.

[FR Doc. 2024-19051 Filed 8-23-24; 8:45 am]

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