Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP), 4609-4610 [2016-01518]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 27, 2016 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES non-entitlement discretionary grant programs to collect the information from grant applicants needed to evaluate and rank applicants and protect the integrity of the grantee selection process. All FNS discretionary grant programs will be eligible, but not required to use the uniform grant application package. The authorities for these grants vary. The term ‘‘grant’’ in this submission refers only to non-entitlement discretionary grants or cooperative agreements. Discretionary grant announcements include a number of information collections, including a ‘‘project description’’ (program narrative), budget information, disclosure of lobbying activities certification, and disclosure of Corporate Felony Convictions and Corporate Federal Tax Delinquencies. The requirements for the program narrative statement are based on the requirements for program narrative statements described in section 1.c (5) of OMB Circular A–102 and OMB A–110 (as implemented at USDA 7 CFR part 3015, 3016 and 3019); and will apply to all types of grantees; State and local governments, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and for profit organizations. Need and Use of the Information: The primary users of the information collected from the applicant are FNS and other Federal staff who will serve on a panel to systematically review, evaluate, and approve the grant/ cooperative agreement applications and recommend the applicants most likely to meet program objectives and most responsive to the solicitation. The selection criteria will be contained in the Request for Application package. Without this information, FNS will not have adequate data to select appropriate grantees or evaluate which grants should be continued, or monitor financial reporting requirements. Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; Business or other for-profit; Not for profit institutions. Number of Respondents: 3,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one-time). Total Burden Hours: 150,000. Food and Nutrition Service Title: Generic Clearance for the Development of Nutrition Education Messages and Products for the General Public. OMB Control Number: 0584–0523. Summary of Collection: The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts consumer research to identify key issues of concern related to understanding and use of the Dietary VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Jan 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 Guidelines for Americans (DGA), as well as the tools and resources used to implement the Dietary Guidelines— previously known as the MyPyramid food guidance system. The Dietary Guidelines, a primary source of dietary health information, are issued jointly by the USDA and Health and Human Services and serve as the cornerstone of Federal nutrition policy and form the basis for nutrition education efforts of these agencies. After the release of the 2010 DGA a new communication initiative built around USDA’s new MyPlate icon, including the resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov, was launched. MyPlate is a visual cue supported by Dietary Guidelines messages to help consumer make better food choices. Need and Use of the Information: CNPP will collect information to develop practical and meaningful nutrition and physical activity guidance for Americans to help improve their health. The collected information will also be used to expand the knowledge base concerning how the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations and messages supporting MyPlate are understood and how they can be used by consumers to improve balance of their food intake with physical energy expenditure for good health. If this information is not collected, USDA’s ability to incorporate messages and materials that are practical, meaningful, and relevant for the intended audience in any proposed update of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans or related resources at Choosemyplate.gov will be impaired. Description of Respondents: Individuals or households. Number of Respondents: 57,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (as desired). Total Burden Hours: 12,004. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–01609 Filed 1–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request—Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP) Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4609 Notice and request for comments. ACTION: 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 the Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 28, 2016. 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 use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to John Endahl, Senior Program Analyst, Office of Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1004, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of John Endahl at 703–305–2576 or via email to john.endahl@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 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: To request more information on the proposed project, or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans contact John Endahl, Senior Program Analyst, Office of Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1004, Alexandria, VA 22302; Fax: 703–305–2576; Email: john.endahl@ fns.usda.gov. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP). Form Number: N/A. OMB Number: Not yet assigned. Expiration Date: Not yet determined. E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 4610 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 27, 2016 / Notices Type of Request: New collection. Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a clearance that will allow FNS to conduct the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Characteristics Study. The objective of the study is to examine operational issues and perceived incentives and barriers for adopting CEP as well as the impacts on NSLP and SBP participation and per meal revenues. Section 104(a) of the Healthy HungerFree Kids Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–296) amended section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1) (the law) to provide an alternative to household applications for free and reduced-price meals in high poverty local education agencies (LEAs) and schools. This alternative is referred to as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). To be eligible, LEAs and/or schools must meet a minimum level (40%) of identified students for free meals in the year prior to implementing the provision; agree to serve free lunches and breakfasts to all students; not collect free and reduced-price applications from households in participating schools, and agree to cover with non-Federal funds any costs of providing free meals to all students above amounts provided in Federal reimbursement. Reimbursement is based on claiming percentages derived from the identified student percentage (ISP). The Identified Students are students certified for free meals through means other than individual household applications. The claiming percentages established for a school in the first year may be used for a period of up to four school years and may be increased if direct certification percentages rise in that school. In accordance with the law, CEP was phased in over a period of several years. The provision was available to eligible LEAs and schools in three States (Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan) selected by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for the school year (SY) 2011–12. An additional four States (the District of Columbia, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia) were added for SY 2012–13. FNS selected four more States (Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Massachusetts) for SY 2013–14. CEP became available nationwide to all eligible LEAs and schools beginning July 1, 2014. As a result, in SY 2014–2015, approximately 14,000 schools in more than 2,000 LEAs serving more than 6.4 million children elected to participate in CEP. A report was submitted to Congress that presented the results of an evaluation that examined the number of schools and LEAs that were eligible to receive special assistance payments under CEP, and described various attributes of those eligible schools and LEAs that elected or did not elect this provision. The evaluation also examined the impact of electing to receive special assistance payments under CEP on program participation, revenues, availability and type of school breakfast, LEA administrative costs, program integrity, and meal quality. The final report can be found on the FNS Average burden (hours per nonresponse) Annual burden hours (nonresponse) Frequency of responses (annual) 39 0 1 0.083 0 39 1.5 579 96 1 0.083 8 587 1 1.0 386 96 1 0.083 8 394 12 1 16 192 0 1 0.083 0 192 12 1 8 96 0 1 0.083 0 96 1 1.52 1,292 192 1 0.083 16 1,308 Number of respondents (annual) Frequency of responses (annual) 52 1 0.75 386 1 386 CN Director Survey SFA Director Survey (participating SFAs) ................... SFA Director Survey (non-participating) CEP Impact Study Information— Phase 1 ............... CEP Impact Study information— Phase 2 ............... asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Number of nonrespondents (annual) 848 Data collection activity Average burden (hours per response) Web site (https://www.fns.usda.gov/ community-eligibility-provisionevaluation). The Addendum describes the characteristics of LEAs and schools that participated in CEP in School Year 2013–14. It also describes how these characteristics differ for those highpoverty LEAs and schools that did not take up CEP. With the expansion of CEP nationwide, the CEP Characteristics Study will include surveys of nationally representative samples of participating and eligible non-participating LEAs to obtain updated information on the characteristics of participating and nonparticipating districts and schools. The study will update information obtained in the Implementation Study component of the Community Eligibility Provision Evaluation. It will also examine CEP impacts on student participation and per meal revenue. Affected Public: Respondent categories of affected public and the corresponding study participants will include: State Agency Child Nutrition Directors, CEP eligible SFAs with schools participating in the CEP and CEP eligible SFAs with no schools that elect to participate in the CEP. Number of Respondents: 1,040 annually. Frequency of Responses: Once per year. Average Burden Hours per Response: 1.52 hours. Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,308 hours. See the table below for estimated total annual burden for each type of respondent. Annual burden hours Dated: January 19, 2016. Audrey Rowe, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2016–01518 Filed 1–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Jan 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 Total annual burden

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4609-4610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01518]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study 
(CEP)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

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 
the Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 28, 2016.

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 use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to John Endahl, Senior Program Analyst, Office 
of Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 1004, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted 
via fax to the attention of John Endahl at 703-305-2576 or via email to 
john.endahl@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 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: To request more information on the 
proposed project, or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans 
contact John Endahl, Senior Program Analyst, Office of Policy Support, 
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1004, 
Alexandria, VA 22302; Fax: 703-305-2576; Email: 
john.endahl@fns.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP).
    Form Number: N/A.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: Not yet determined.

[[Page 4610]]

    Type of Request: New collection.
    Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) intends to request 
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a clearance 
that will allow FNS to conduct the Community Eligibility Provision 
(CEP) Characteristics Study. The objective of the study is to examine 
operational issues and perceived incentives and barriers for adopting 
CEP as well as the impacts on NSLP and SBP participation and per meal 
revenues.
    Section 104(a) of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 
111-296) amended section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National 
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1) (the law) to provide an 
alternative to household applications for free and reduced-price meals 
in high poverty local education agencies (LEAs) and schools. This 
alternative is referred to as the Community Eligibility Provision 
(CEP).
    To be eligible, LEAs and/or schools must meet a minimum level (40%) 
of identified students for free meals in the year prior to implementing 
the provision; agree to serve free lunches and breakfasts to all 
students; not collect free and reduced-price applications from 
households in participating schools, and agree to cover with non-
Federal funds any costs of providing free meals to all students above 
amounts provided in Federal reimbursement.
    Reimbursement is based on claiming percentages derived from the 
identified student percentage (ISP). The Identified Students are 
students certified for free meals through means other than individual 
household applications. The claiming percentages established for a 
school in the first year may be used for a period of up to four school 
years and may be increased if direct certification percentages rise in 
that school.
    In accordance with the law, CEP was phased in over a period of 
several years. The provision was available to eligible LEAs and schools 
in three States (Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan) selected by Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS) for the school year (SY) 2011-12. An additional 
four States (the District of Columbia, New York, Ohio, and West 
Virginia) were added for SY 2012-13. FNS selected four more States 
(Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Massachusetts) for SY 2013-14. CEP 
became available nationwide to all eligible LEAs and schools beginning 
July 1, 2014. As a result, in SY 2014-2015, approximately 14,000 
schools in more than 2,000 LEAs serving more than 6.4 million children 
elected to participate in CEP.
    A report was submitted to Congress that presented the results of an 
evaluation that examined the number of schools and LEAs that were 
eligible to receive special assistance payments under CEP, and 
described various attributes of those eligible schools and LEAs that 
elected or did not elect this provision. The evaluation also examined 
the impact of electing to receive special assistance payments under CEP 
on program participation, revenues, availability and type of school 
breakfast, LEA administrative costs, program integrity, and meal 
quality. The final report can be found on the FNS Web site (https://www.fns.usda.gov/community-eligibility-provision-evaluation). The 
Addendum describes the characteristics of LEAs and schools that 
participated in CEP in School Year 2013-14. It also describes how these 
characteristics differ for those high-poverty LEAs and schools that did 
not take up CEP.
    With the expansion of CEP nationwide, the CEP Characteristics Study 
will include surveys of nationally representative samples of 
participating and eligible non-participating LEAs to obtain updated 
information on the characteristics of participating and non-
participating districts and schools. The study will update information 
obtained in the Implementation Study component of the Community 
Eligibility Provision Evaluation. It will also examine CEP impacts on 
student participation and per meal revenue.
    Affected Public: Respondent categories of affected public and the 
corresponding study participants will include: State Agency Child 
Nutrition Directors, CEP eligible SFAs with schools participating in 
the CEP and CEP eligible SFAs with no schools that elect to participate 
in the CEP.
    Number of Respondents: 1,040 annually.
    Frequency of Responses: Once per year.
    Average Burden Hours per Response: 1.52 hours.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,308 hours. See the table below for 
estimated total annual burden for each type of respondent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                           Average
                                                                      Number of     Frequency      Average       Annual       Number of     Frequency      burden        Annual         Total
                     Data collection  activity                       respondents  of responses     burden        burden         non-      of responses   (hours per      burden        annual
                                                                      (annual)       (annual)    (hours per       hours      respondents     (annual)       non-      hours  (non-     burden
                                                                                                  response)                   (annual)                    response)     response)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CN Director Survey................................................            52             1          0.75            39             0             1         0.083             0            39
SFA Director Survey (participating SFAs)..........................           386             1           1.5           579            96             1         0.083             8           587
SFA Director Survey (non-participating)...........................           386             1           1.0           386            96             1         0.083             8           394
CEP Impact Study Information--Phase 1.............................            12             1            16           192             0             1         0.083             0           192
CEP Impact Study information--Phase 2.............................            12             1             8            96             0             1         0.083             0            96
                                                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             848             1          1.52         1,292           192             1         0.083            16         1,308
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    Dated: January 19, 2016.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-01518 Filed 1-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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