Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS), 20613 [2013-07958]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food and Nutrition Service

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 20613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07958]



[[Page 20613]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: 
Comment Request: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS)

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 a proposed information collection. The proposed collection is an 
extension, without change, of a currently approved collection. The 
purpose of the Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS) 
form is to collect uniform and standard information on nutrition 
education activities (SNAP-Ed) funded by SNAP. The data collected will 
inform management decisions, support policy initiatives and provide 
documentation for legislative, budget and other requests that support 
planning within the agency.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 4, 2013.

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 has 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 that were 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 Jane Duffield, Chief, State Administration 
Branch, Program Accountability and Administration Division, 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 
818, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to 
the attention of Jane Duffield at 703-605-0795, Room 824, or via email 
to SNAP-Ed@fns.usda.gov. Comments will also be accepted through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Room 824, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed information collection form and instructions 
should be directed to Usha Kalro at 703-305-2397.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Education and Administrative Reporting System.
    OMB Number: 0584-0542.
    Form Number: FNS-759.
    Expiration Date: 08/31/2013.
    Type of Request: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) developed the 
Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS) for the nutrition 
education (SNAP-Ed) component of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP), which is provided for in Section 11 of the Food and 
Nutrition Act 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020 (f)(3)(B)(ii)). In 2003, the Agency 
convened a workgroup of diverse stakeholders to assist with this task, 
including people from the State, local and federal levels, as well as 
academia.
    The EARS form was approved by OMB in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007. The 
first phase of EARS implementation, launched in FY 2008, required SNAP 
State agencies to report on financial questions 9 and 
10 on the EARS form. Full implementation of all applicable 
EARS questions was required of SNAP State agencies by FY 2010. All 
State agencies fully complied with this requirement. EARS provides 
uniform data and information about the nutrition education activities 
of all participating States across the country. Data collected on the 
EARS form includes demographic characteristics of participants 
receiving nutrition education benefits, information about education 
topics and strategies and use of resources. The EARS form is designed 
as an annual report that SNAP State agencies submit using FNS web-based 
Food Program Reporting System (FPRS). FPRS is available to SNAP State 
agencies between October 15 and December 30 of each year for the 
submission of EARS data for the prior FY's nutrition education 
activities.
    There are no changes in hourly burden since the last submission. 
FNS estimates that 52 State agencies will respond once a year for a 
total 52 annual responses. It will take approximately 54 burden hours 
for each State agency to respond for a total of 2,808 annual burden 
hours. There are no recordkeeping requirements imposed by this 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
State Agencies and implementing partners such as extension 
universities, non-profit organizations and local program operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 52.
    Hours per Response: 54.
    Total Annual Burden Hours (Reporting Only): 2,808.

    Dated: March 21, 2013.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07958 Filed 4-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P