Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

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 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 requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.

Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its

request for approval of a survey form to collect data on project

characteristics and accomplishments from AmeriCorps*VISTA projects that

are managed by the Corporation. This information will be used by the

Corporation to evaluate the nature and effectiveness of the program.

Copies of the proposed information collection request may be

obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section

of this notice.

The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which:

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;

Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity

of the information to be collected; and

Propose 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, e.g.,

permitting electronic submissions of responses.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the

ADDRESSES section by August 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Corporation for National and Community

Service, Attn: Carol Hafford, Office of Evaluation, 1201 New York

Avenue, NW., 9th floor, Washington, DC 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Hafford, (202) 606-5000, ext.

232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

One of the missions of the Corporation is to ``provide

opportunities to engage in service that addresses the nation's unmet

human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs'' (42 U.S.C.

12501(b)). Through the AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to

America) program, the Corporation supports VISTA's 34 year mission to

engage Americans in community service activities and build the capacity

of low-income communities. AmeriCorps*VISTA activities address issues

of poverty and poverty-related problems by generating private sector

resources, encouraging volunteer service at the local level, and

strengthening the capacity of local organizations and agencies to meet

the needs of low-income communities.

VISTA is a full-time, full-year service program for men and women

ages 18 and older. AmeriCorps*VISTA places federally funded national

service participants in ongoing programs managed by public agencies or

private, nonprofit organizations. AmeriCorps*VISTA members work within

these agencies or organizations to help them expand services to people

in economically disadvantaged communities. Members are involved in a

wide variety of community-oriented efforts, such as developing literacy

programs, organizing outreach programs in health care, training low-

income people in business management, and establishing transitional

housing programs for the homeless.

Since 1996, the Corporation has conducted an annual survey and

collected data from AmeriCorps*VISTA projects to describe program

accomplishments. These responses assist the Corporation in addressing

policy and programming issues about AmeriCorps*VISTA and the projects

it supports throughout the country.

Current Action

The Corporation seeks approval of a survey form to collect data

from a sample of AmeriCorps*VISTA projects. The 1999 AmeriCorps*VISTA

Project Accomplishments Survey will be administered by mail and also

through a computerized data tracking system. The survey will cover

VISTA project activities and accomplishments during the 12-month period

of October 1, 1998, through September 30, 1999. Approximately 1,250

projects will be surveyed, of which we expect 950 respondents. The

survey will collect data on project characteristics and on specific

AmeriCorps*VISTA activities and accomplishments in each of seven

program emphasis areas and in organizational capacity building.

Accomplishment data from the FY 1999 survey will be used to provide a

report on AmeriCorps*VISTA accomplishments to the Congress in FY 2000

and to satisfy the Government and Performance and Results Act of 1993

requirements.

Type of Review: New approval.

Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Title: AmeriCorps*VISTA 1999 Project Accomplishments Survey.

OMB Number: None.

Agency Number: None.

Affected Public: AmeriCorps*VISTA projects that have been active

for at least nine months prior to September 30, 1999.

Total Respondents: Approximately 950.

Frequency: Annually.

Average Time Per Response: One hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 950 hours.

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: June 1, 1999.

Thomas L. Bryant,

Associate General Counsel.

[FR Doc. 99-14203 Filed 6-3-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6050-28-U