Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Enhancing Completion Rates for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Quality Control Reviews, 45173-45176 [2013-17997]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2013 / Notices
Dated: July 17, 2013.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–17992 Filed 7–25–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request—Enhancing
Completion Rates for Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Quality Control Reviews
Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and
other public agencies to comment on
this proposed information collection.
This is a new collection for Enhancing
Completion Rates for SNAP Quality
Control Reviews.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before September 24,
2013.
SUMMARY:
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 shall 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 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 the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments may be sent to Steven
Carlson, Office of Research and
Analysis, Food and Nutrition Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101
Park Center Drive, Room 1014,
Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may
also be submitted via fax to the attention
of Steven Carlson at 703–305–2576 or
via email to
Steve.Carlson@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.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
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Jkt 229001
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 5:00
p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101
Park Center Drive, Room 1014,
Alexandria, VA 22302.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for Office of Management and Budget
approval. All comments will be a matter
of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection
should be directed to Steven Carlson at
703–305–2017.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title:
Enhancing Completion Rates for SNAP
(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program) Quality Control Reviews.
OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
Type of Request: New collection of
information.
Abstract:
Section 17 [7 U.S.C. 2026] (a)(1) of the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,
provides general legislative authority for
the planned data collection. It
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to enter into contracts with private
institutions to undertake research that
will help improve the administration
and effectiveness of SNAP in delivering
nutrition-related benefits.
States conduct monthly quality
control (QC) reviews of a statistical
sample of households participating in
SNAP to assess the validity of SNAP
cases and, ultimately, the error rate for
SNAP. This requires completing as
many reviews as possible. However,
beginning in 1985, the completion rate
of sampled QC reviews decreased
nationally, reaching a low in FY 2006.
The completion rate has increased
somewhat since then, but not to
previous levels. Completion rates vary
considerably among States as well. This
research will identify the factors
associated with incomplete reviews in
active SNAP cases and recommend
ways to enhance completion rates for
SNAP QC reviews.
Primary data collected from persons
involved in conducting and monitoring
the QC reviews and extant State
administrative data, will be analyzed to
compare information across the States;
provide descriptive estimates of the
contribution to payment error associated
with incomplete reviews; and assess the
need to adjust the current procedures
for treating incomplete cases.
The information collection includes
site visits at six State agencies, in-depth
(semi-structured) interviews with SNAP
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
45173
QC staff during those site visits, and
Web and telephone interviews with
SNAP QC staff in the remaining 47
States not being visited. The SNAP QC
director, up to two SNAP QC
supervisors and up to five State QC
reviewers from each State will be
interviewed.1
The specific research objectives are to:
describe the process of conducting a QC
review at the State and Federal levels;
describe the characteristics of
incomplete cases and compare them to
complete cases using extant
administrative case file data; describe
the challenges and best practices in the
QC review process at the State level;
determine whether incomplete cases are
being reviewed and processed correctly;
determine the impact of incomplete
cases on overall payment error; and
determine the extent to which
incomplete cases bias the data in the QC
database.
Affected Public:
State Employees: Respondent groups
identified include (1) State QC directors,
if the position exists or State SNAP
directors, in all 53 SNAP States; (2)
State QC supervisors in 53 SNAP States,
up to 2 per State (if more than 2 in a
State, selected as a sample of
convenience); and (3) State QC
reviewers from 53 SNAP States, up to 5
per State (if more than 5 in a State,
selected as a sample of convenience).
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The total estimated number of
respondents is 424. This includes 53
State QC or State SNAP directors (1 in
the pretest, 100 percent of whom will
complete interviews; 6 in person, 100
percent of whom will complete
interviews; and 46 online or by
telephone, 78 percent of whom will
complete surveys); 106 State QC
supervisors (3 in the pretest, 100
percent of whom will complete
interviews; 12 in person, 100 percent of
whom will complete interviews; and 91
online or by telephone, 81 percent of
whom will complete surveys); and 265
State QC reviewers (5 in the pretest, 100
percent of whom will complete
interviews; 30 in person, 100 percent of
whom will complete interviews; and
230 online or by telephone, 81 percent
of whom will complete surveys).
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent:
1 Additional information contributing to this
research will be collected from FNS regional offices
and staff acting in their official capacities (not
subject to OMB approval) and SNAP participants
sampled for QC with incomplete reviews (OMB
approval previously granted for the QC Review
Schedule (0584–0299) and Worksheet for QC
Reviews (0584–0074)).
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2013 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
All respondents (State SNAP QC
directors or State SNAP directors, State
SNAP QC supervisors, and State SNAP
QC reviewers) will respond once each,
either one in-person interview or one
Web or telephone survey. In addition,
all SNAP QC directors will be contacted
with an advance letter and six will
receive follow-up communications to
arrange site visits.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:54 Jul 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
The estimated total annual responses
is 1,040, including initial recruitment
and coordination communications,
pretests and completed interviews and
surveys.
Estimated Time per Response:
Response times may vary from 0.05 to
1 hour depending on actual activity and
respondent group. The estimated time
per interview is 0.5 hours to 1 hour,
depending on respondent group and
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
interview mode, as shown in the table
below.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents:
The estimated total annual burden on
respondents is 255.60 hours (including
recruitment communications and
completed and attempted interviews
and surveys). See the table below for
estimated total annual burden for each
type of respondent.
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2013 / Notices
Frequency
of
Response
Total
Annual
Responses
Response
Burden
Hours
Estimated
Total Hours
53
1
53
0.05
2.65
6
1
6
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
In-person interview*
6
1
6
1
6
Web survey
18
1
18
0.5
9
Web survey (non-response)
28
1
28
0.05
1.4
11
1
11
0.5
5.5
17
Respondent
Type
Estimated
Number of
Respondents
Interview pretest*
Affected
Public
1
17
0.08
1.36
3
1
3
0.5
1.5
Instrument Type
Advance letter *
Site visit recruitment
email/follow-up
communications*
III
0
U
~
Survey: First phone call
0
-
U
G
~
Follow-up phone call # 1
Follow-up phone call # 1
(non-response)
14
1
14
0.08
1.12
Follow-up phone call #2
2
1
2
0.5
1
'u
c:
Follow-up phone call #2
(non-response)
12
1
12
0.08
0.96
«
Follow-up phone call #3
2
1
2
0.5
1
E
Follow-up phone call #3
(non-response)
10
1
10
0.08
0.8
53
---
183
---
39.29
Interview pretest*
1
1
1
1
1.00
In-person interview*
12
1
12
1
12.00
o
Survey pretest*
2
1
2
0.5
1.00
"6
Web survey
36
1
36
0.5
18.00
Web survey (non-response)
55
1
55
0.05
2.75
Survey: First phone call
Survey: First phone call (nonresponse)
22
1
22
0.5
11.00
33
1
33
0.08
2.64
~
III
(1)
(1)
0)
"E
(1)
c:
~
>
SUBTOTAL State QC Directors
0
~
"6
.0
.;::
t-
u
0
......
~
ai
0
'0
III
.~
t;
(1)
0.
::J
VI
Follow-up phone call # 1
Follow-up phone call # 1
(non-response)
G
~
.E
VI
6
1
6
0.5
3.00
27
1
27
0.08
2.16
Follow-up phone call #2
5
1
5
0.5
2.50
Follow-up phone call #2
(non-response)
22
1
22
0.08
1.76
Follow-up phone call #3
4
1
4
0.5
2.00
Follow-up phone call #3
(non-response)
18
1
18
0.08
1.44
106
---
243
---
61.25
Interview pretest*
2
1
2
1
2
In-person interview*
30
1
30
1
30
3
1
0.5
1.5
SUBTOTAL State QC Supervisor
(1)
u'!
EG~
Ill::
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VI
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~
~
18:54 Jul 25, 2013
Survey pretest*
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EN26JY13.012</GPH>
U
45176
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2013 / Notices
[FR Doc. 2013–17997 Filed 7–25–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–C
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Child and Adult Care Food Program:
National Average Payment Rates, Day
Care Home Food Service Payment
Rates, and Administrative
Reimbursement Rates for Sponsoring
Organizations of Day Care Homes for
the Period July 1, 2013 Through June
30, 2014
Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice announces the
annual adjustments to the national
average payment rates for meals and
snacks served in child care centers,
outside-school-hours care centers, atrisk afterschool care centers, and adult
day care centers; the food service
payment rates for meals and snacks
served in day care homes; and the
administrative reimbursement rates for
sponsoring organizations of day care
homes, to reflect changes in the
Consumer Price Index. Further
adjustments are made to these rates to
reflect the higher costs of providing
meals in the States of Alaska and
Hawaii. The adjustments contained in
this notice are made on an annual basis
each July, as required by the laws and
regulations governing the Child and
Adult Care Food Program.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:54 Jul 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
These rates are effective from
July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tina
Namian, Section Head, Policy and
Program Development Branch, Child
Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 640,
Alexandria, Virginia 22302–1594, 703–
305–2590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Definitions
The terms used in this notice have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Child
and Adult Care Food Program
regulations, 7 CFR part 226.
Background
Pursuant to sections 4, 11, and 17 of
the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1759a and
1766), section 4 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) and 7 CFR
226.4, 226.12 and 226.13 of the Program
regulations, notice is hereby given of the
new payment rates for institutions
participating in the Child and Adult
Care Food Program (CACFP). These
rates are in effect during the period, July
1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.
As provided for under the law, all
rates in the CACFP must be revised
annually, on July 1, to reflect changes in
the Consumer Price Index (CPI),
published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the United States
Department of Labor, for the most recent
12-month period. In accordance with
this mandate, the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) last
published the adjusted national average
payment rates for centers, the food
service payment rates for day care
homes, and the administrative
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Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
reimbursement rates for sponsoring
organizations of day care homes, for the
period from July 1, 2012 through June
30, 2013, on July 24, 2012, in the
Federal Register at 77 FR 43229.
Adjusted Payments
The following national average
payment factors and food service
payment rates for meals and snacks are
in effect from July 1, 2013 through June
30, 2014. All amounts are expressed in
dollars or fractions thereof. Due to a
higher cost of living, the
reimbursements for Alaska and Hawaii
are higher than those for all other States.
The District of Columbia, Virgin Islands,
Puerto Rico, and Guam use the figures
specified for the contiguous States.
These rates do not include the value of
USDA foods or cash-in-lieu of USDA
foods which institutions receive as
additional assistance for each lunch or
supper served to participants under the
Program. A notice announcing the value
of USDA foods and cash-in-lieu of
USDA foods is published separately in
the Federal Register.
National Average Payment Rates for
Centers
Payments for breakfast served are:
Contiguous States—paid rate –28 cents,
reduced price rate—128 cents, free
rate—158 cents; Alaska—paid rate—41
cents, reduced price rate—223 cents,
free rate—253 cents; Hawaii—paid
rate—31 cents, reduced price rate—155
cents, free rate—185 cents.
Payments for lunch or supper served
are: Contiguous States—paid rate—28
cents, reduced price rate—253 cents,
free rate—293 cents; Alaska—paid
rate—45 cents, reduced price rate—434
cents, free rate– 474 cents; Hawaii—
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
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EN26JY13.013</GPH>
Dated: July 16, 2013.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45173-45176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17997]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request--Enhancing Completion Rates for Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) Quality Control Reviews
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 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 this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for
Enhancing Completion Rates for SNAP Quality Control Reviews.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 24,
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 shall 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 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 the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments may be sent to Steven Carlson, Office of Research and
Analysis, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may
also be submitted via fax to the attention of Steven Carlson at 703-
305-2576 or via email to Steve.Carlson@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 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center
Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will
be a matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection should be directed to Steven
Carlson at 703-305-2017.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Enhancing Completion Rates for SNAP
(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Quality Control Reviews.
OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
Type of Request: New collection of information.
Abstract:
Section 17 [7 U.S.C. 2026] (a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008, provides general legislative authority for the planned data
collection. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into
contracts with private institutions to undertake research that will
help improve the administration and effectiveness of SNAP in delivering
nutrition-related benefits.
States conduct monthly quality control (QC) reviews of a
statistical sample of households participating in SNAP to assess the
validity of SNAP cases and, ultimately, the error rate for SNAP. This
requires completing as many reviews as possible. However, beginning in
1985, the completion rate of sampled QC reviews decreased nationally,
reaching a low in FY 2006. The completion rate has increased somewhat
since then, but not to previous levels. Completion rates vary
considerably among States as well. This research will identify the
factors associated with incomplete reviews in active SNAP cases and
recommend ways to enhance completion rates for SNAP QC reviews.
Primary data collected from persons involved in conducting and
monitoring the QC reviews and extant State administrative data, will be
analyzed to compare information across the States; provide descriptive
estimates of the contribution to payment error associated with
incomplete reviews; and assess the need to adjust the current
procedures for treating incomplete cases.
The information collection includes site visits at six State
agencies, in-depth (semi-structured) interviews with SNAP QC staff
during those site visits, and Web and telephone interviews with SNAP QC
staff in the remaining 47 States not being visited. The SNAP QC
director, up to two SNAP QC supervisors and up to five State QC
reviewers from each State will be interviewed.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Additional information contributing to this research will be
collected from FNS regional offices and staff acting in their
official capacities (not subject to OMB approval) and SNAP
participants sampled for QC with incomplete reviews (OMB approval
previously granted for the QC Review Schedule (0584-0299) and
Worksheet for QC Reviews (0584-0074)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The specific research objectives are to: describe the process of
conducting a QC review at the State and Federal levels; describe the
characteristics of incomplete cases and compare them to complete cases
using extant administrative case file data; describe the challenges and
best practices in the QC review process at the State level; determine
whether incomplete cases are being reviewed and processed correctly;
determine the impact of incomplete cases on overall payment error; and
determine the extent to which incomplete cases bias the data in the QC
database.
Affected Public:
State Employees: Respondent groups identified include (1) State QC
directors, if the position exists or State SNAP directors, in all 53
SNAP States; (2) State QC supervisors in 53 SNAP States, up to 2 per
State (if more than 2 in a State, selected as a sample of convenience);
and (3) State QC reviewers from 53 SNAP States, up to 5 per State (if
more than 5 in a State, selected as a sample of convenience).
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The total estimated number of respondents is 424. This includes 53
State QC or State SNAP directors (1 in the pretest, 100 percent of whom
will complete interviews; 6 in person, 100 percent of whom will
complete interviews; and 46 online or by telephone, 78 percent of whom
will complete surveys); 106 State QC supervisors (3 in the pretest, 100
percent of whom will complete interviews; 12 in person, 100 percent of
whom will complete interviews; and 91 online or by telephone, 81
percent of whom will complete surveys); and 265 State QC reviewers (5
in the pretest, 100 percent of whom will complete interviews; 30 in
person, 100 percent of whom will complete interviews; and 230 online or
by telephone, 81 percent of whom will complete surveys).
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:
[[Page 45174]]
All respondents (State SNAP QC directors or State SNAP directors,
State SNAP QC supervisors, and State SNAP QC reviewers) will respond
once each, either one in-person interview or one Web or telephone
survey. In addition, all SNAP QC directors will be contacted with an
advance letter and six will receive follow-up communications to arrange
site visits.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
The estimated total annual responses is 1,040, including initial
recruitment and coordination communications, pretests and completed
interviews and surveys.
Estimated Time per Response:
Response times may vary from 0.05 to 1 hour depending on actual
activity and respondent group. The estimated time per interview is 0.5
hours to 1 hour, depending on respondent group and interview mode, as
shown in the table below.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:
The estimated total annual burden on respondents is 255.60 hours
(including recruitment communications and completed and attempted
interviews and surveys). See the table below for estimated total annual
burden for each type of respondent.
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
[[Page 45175]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26JY13.012
[[Page 45176]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26JY13.013
Dated: July 16, 2013.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17997 Filed 7-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-C
