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 and request for comments.

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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 its

request for approval of a new information collection from organizations

that conduct literacy and tutoring activities under the sponsorship of

Corporation grants. This information will be used by the Corporation to

evaluate the nature and effectiveness of the programs. 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 June 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Corporation for National and Community

Service, Attn: Susan Labin, Office of Evaluation, 1201 New York Avenue,

N.W., 9th floor, Washington, D.C. 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Labin, (202) 606-5000, ext. 160.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

One of the six major legislative ``findings'' of the Corporation

for National Service is that ``Americans * * * become better citizens

through service to the United States.'' Of the eight legislative

purposes of the agency, educational development and civic

responsibility are benefits that are intended to accrue to those who

serve (42 U.S.C. 12501.(a)(b)). These purposes are reflected in the

Corporation's vision statement which is expanding the sense of

community and creating an active

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citizenship where Americans feel greater responsibility toward others.

Similarly the mission statement of the agency speaks directly to the

benefits of service:

``In doing so [engaging in service], the Corporation will foster

civic responsibility, strengthen the ties that bind us together as a

people, and provide educational opportunity for those who make a

substantial commitment to service.''

Thus, a central purpose of the agency and its programs is to foster

citizenship and development for those who serve. This study will look

at the effects of service on the members who serve in the three

Americorps programs: State/National, Volunteers in Service to America

(VISTA), and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Approximately

40,000 citizens serve in Americorps each year.

Current Action

The objectives of this study are to: describe the outcomes that are

associated with serving and document changes in those outcomes over

time; identify factors explaining variation in outcomes at different

stages of time; and, to the degree possible, specify the causal

influences of national service on its members. Outcome domains will

include attitudes and behaviors for civic engagement, education,

employment, and life skills.

To meet these objectives, the study will select a nationally

representative sample of incoming AmeriCorps members from a sufficient

number of programs to generalize overall population. It will collect

data from a self-report survey measuring the above life outcomes for

AmeriCorps members, as well as individual background characteristics.

This will require baseline data at entry to the program as well as

repeated measurements over a several years time period. In order to

address the issue of causality, or the direct influence that service

had on the outcomes, the study will include a comparison group for each

of the three programs. The program's populations and service activities

are very diverse and require separate sampling plans and separate

comparison groups. In addition, the study will incorporate a smaller

retrospective study of former AmeriCorps members carried out in

combination with the main longitudinal study. In this way, information

from previous members on outcomes over the past several years will be

available sooner than the larger longitudinal study of new members.

The Corporation seeks approval of the survey that will be filled be

responded to by the AmeriCorps members.

Type of Review: New approval.

Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Title: Longitudinal Study of Member Outcomes.

OMB Number: None.

Agency Number: None.

Affected Public: Current and former Americorps members.

Total Respondents: Approximately 6,950.

Frequency: One time.

Average Time Per Response: 45 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,213 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: March 29, 1999.

Thomas L. Bryant,

Acting General Counsel.

[FR Doc. 99-8080 Filed 3-31-99; 8:45 am]

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