Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, Reentry Employment Opportunities Evaluation, New Collection, 8117-8118 [2019-04054]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2019 / Notices Dated: February 26, 2019. John J. Martin, Assistant Administrator. approval of the information collection request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [FR Doc. 2019–04025 Filed 3–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–09–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, Reentry Employment Opportunities Evaluation, New Collection Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Chief Evaluation Office, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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). 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 requirements on respondents is properly assessed. Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the Reentry Employment Opportunities Program. A copy of the proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the addressee section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee’s section below on or before May 6, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either one of the following methods: Email: ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov; Mail or Courier: Jessica Lohmann, Chief Evaluation Office, OASP, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S–2312, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All submissions received must include the agency name and OMB Control Number identified above for this information collection. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a matter of public record. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:35 Mar 05, 2019 Jkt 247001 Jessica Lohmann by email at ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov or by phone at (202) 693–5087. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background: The information collection activities described in this notice will provide data for the Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program evaluation. As part of the REO program, DOL awarded $78 million in Reentry Project (RP) grants in 2018, $73 million in RP grants during 2017, $31 million in Reentry Demonstration Project grants during 2016, and $21 million in Training to Work grants during 2015 and 2016. Although each grant program is distinctive, the overarching aim of the REO program is to improve employment outcomes and workforce readiness for people involved in the justice system by way of employment services, case management, and other supportive services. The REO program evaluation will involve grantees that received grants during 2016, 2017, and 2018. The evaluation will involve an implementation study and an impact study. The implementation study will address four main research questions: (1) How were programs implemented and what factors influenced implementation?; (2) What are the variations in the model, structure, partnerships, and services of the REO grants?; (3) How did implementation vary by organization type (such as an intermediary organization that operates in more than one state or a community-based organization) and target population?; and (4) What key program elements appear to be promising? Research questions for the impact study include: (1) What impact do grantees or strategies implemented by grantees have on participants’ outcomes, such as employment and recidivism?; (2) Does program effectiveness vary by grantee characteristics, such as population served and services offered?; and (3) To what extent do impacts vary across selected subpopulations, such as age group and type of offense? This Federal Register Notice provides the opportunity to comment on the following proposed REO evaluation data collection instruments: 1. Semi-structured inverview protocols. As part of the implementation study, which will be conducted in approximately 28 sites, the evaluation team will conduct semi-structured interviews with program administrators, frontline staff, and partners to understand how the program PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8117 implementation has been developed, managed, and delivered. 2. Participant focus group protocols. As part of the implementation study, the evaluation team will conduct focus groups to gather information from participants. Participant focus groups will ask about participants’ reasons for enrolling, impressions of the program and the extent to which it has helped them prepare for employment. 3. Employer focus group protocols. As part of the implementation study, the evaluation team will conduct focus groups to gather information from employers. The focus groups with employers will enable an exploration of how the grantees are meeting the needs of employers. 4. Semi-structured telephone interview protocols. As part of the implementation study, the study team will conduct telephone interviews with approximately 58 sites that were not visited in person. These semi-structured interviews with program administrators will focus on understanding program implementation, challenges encountered, and their potential solutions. 5. Virtual focus group protocols. As part of the implementation study, the study team will conduct approximately 15 virtual focus groups, including approximately 135 REO program administrators in total. Each focus group will be topically focused to gather more in-depth information on a specific aspect of implementation, such as participant retention strategies, data management, or outcomes tracking. 6. Follow-up survey. Approximately 5 grantees will be selected for the impact study. Among the selected grantees, the survey will be administered to approximately 1,890 impact study participants and will allow us to capture respondents’ experiences in the program or in other services since enrollment in the study while measuring detailed information about study members’ employment experiences. Specifically, the survey will collect data about participants’ employment, earnings, credential attainment, skills attainment, recidivism and other topics of interest. II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments concerning the above data collection for the REO Evaluation. DOL is particularly interested in comments that do the following: Æ evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 8118 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2019 / Notices Æ evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s burden estimate of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions; Æ enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and Æ 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— for example, permitting electronic submissions of responses. III. Current Actions: At this time, the Department of Labor is requesting clearance for the semi-structured interviews with program administrators, frontline staff, and partner staff, and the focus groups with employers, program participants, and program administrators as part of the implementation study as well as the follow-up survey with a subset of sample members in the impact study. Type of Review: New information collection request. OMB Control Number: 1290–0NEW. Affected Public: REO program staff, evaluation participants, local employers, and partner agency staff. Comments submitted in response to this request 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. ESTIMATED ANNUAL BURDEN HOURS Type of instrument Number of respondents a Number of responses per respondent Average burden time per response (hours) Total number of responses Annual estimated burden hours a Semi-structured interview: Grant administrators b ............... Semi-structured interview: Frontline staff b .......................... Semi-structured interview: Partner-staff administrators b .... Semi-structured interview: Intermediary grant administrators b ................................................................................. Participant focus groups c .................................................... Employer focus groups d ...................................................... Semi-structured telephone calls e ........................................ Virtual focus groups f ............................................................ Follow-up survey g ................................................................ 19 196 28 1 1 1 19 196 28 3 1 1 57 196 28 6 75 37 58 45 630 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 75 37 58 45 630 1.5 1 1 2 1 .33 9 75 37 116 45 208 Total .............................................................................. 1,094 ........................ 1,094 ........................ 771 a All annual totals reflect a three year clearance and study data collection period. Estimates are rounded to the nearest whole number. each visit will, on average, involve individual or group interviews with approximately 2 grant administrators, approximately 3 partnerstaff administrators, and approximately 21 frontline staff. The team anticipates completing approximately 28 visits in total. The average burden time per response for the grant administrator interviews will be 3 hours. The average burden time per response for the partner-staff administrator interviews will be 1 hour. The average burden time per response for the frontline staff interviews will be 1 hour. For all types of staff, some meetings will be shorter and some will be longer than the averages. Additionally, the team anticipates conducting interviews with approximately 3 intermediary grant administrators in approximately 6 of the 28 visits. The intermediary grant administrator interviews will be approximately 1.5 hours, on average. c Assumes each participant focus group will, on average, involve 8 individuals and will be conducted in approximately 28 sites. The average burden time per response will be 1 hour. d Assumes each employer focus group will, on average, involve 4 individuals and will be conducted in approximately 28 sites. The average burden time per response will be 1 hour. e Assumes each phone interview will be conducted with approximately 3 program administrators from each of approximately 58 sites. The average length of the phone interview will be two hours. f Assumes approximately 15 virtual focus groups with approximately 9 program administrators participating per group. The average burden time per response will be 1 hour. g Assumes a follow-up survey will be conducted with approximately 1,890 study participants. The average burden time per response will be 20 minutes. b Assumes Molly Irwin, Chief Evaluation Officer, U.S. Department of Labor. [FR Doc. 2019–04054 Filed 3–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–HX–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Department of Labor’s Fleet Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Office of the Secretary, Labor. Notice of availability of the Department of Labor’s annual report on its alternative fuel vehicle acquisitions for fiscal year 2018. AGENCY: ACTION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:35 Mar 05, 2019 Jkt 247001 In compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and subsequent amendments, this notice announces the availability of fiscal year 2018 report that summarizes the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) compliance with the annual alternative fuel vehicle acquisition requirement for its vehicle fleet. The website also contains the Department’s annual reports for fiscal years 1999–2017. Additionally, the reports include data relative to the agency’s effort in reducing petroleum consumption. The report issued next year in 2020 shall be DOL’s final report submitted under the Energy Policy Act. ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Administration and Management, Business Operations Center, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room S1520, Washington, DC 20210. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gilbert-Miller, Sustainability and Fleet Manager, at (202) 693–6662 or email Gilbert.Susan.J@dol.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211–13219), as amended by the Energy Conservation and Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105–388, section 310(b)(3), and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109– 58, section 705), were intended to decrease the country’s dependence on petroleum for transportation purposes. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8117-8118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04054]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request, Reentry Employment Opportunities Evaluation, 
New Collection

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Chief Evaluation 
Office, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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). 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 requirements on 
respondents is properly assessed. Currently, the Department of Labor is 
soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the Reentry 
Employment Opportunities Program. A copy of the proposed Information 
Collection Request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee's section below on or before May 6, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either one of the following 
methods: Email: ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov; Mail or Courier: Jessica 
Lohmann, Chief Evaluation Office, OASP, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 
S-2312, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: 
Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All 
submissions received must include the agency name and OMB Control 
Number identified above for this information collection. Comments, 
including any personal information provided, become a matter of public 
record. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for 
OMB approval of the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Lohmann by email at 
ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov or by phone at (202) 693-5087.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: The information collection activities described in 
this notice will provide data for the Reentry Employment Opportunities 
(REO) program evaluation. As part of the REO program, DOL awarded $78 
million in Reentry Project (RP) grants in 2018, $73 million in RP 
grants during 2017, $31 million in Reentry Demonstration Project grants 
during 2016, and $21 million in Training to Work grants during 2015 and 
2016. Although each grant program is distinctive, the overarching aim 
of the REO program is to improve employment outcomes and workforce 
readiness for people involved in the justice system by way of 
employment services, case management, and other supportive services. 
The REO program evaluation will involve grantees that received grants 
during 2016, 2017, and 2018. The evaluation will involve an 
implementation study and an impact study. The implementation study will 
address four main research questions: (1) How were programs implemented 
and what factors influenced implementation?; (2) What are the 
variations in the model, structure, partnerships, and services of the 
REO grants?; (3) How did implementation vary by organization type (such 
as an intermediary organization that operates in more than one state or 
a community-based organization) and target population?; and (4) What 
key program elements appear to be promising? Research questions for the 
impact study include: (1) What impact do grantees or strategies 
implemented by grantees have on participants' outcomes, such as 
employment and recidivism?; (2) Does program effectiveness vary by 
grantee characteristics, such as population served and services 
offered?; and (3) To what extent do impacts vary across selected 
subpopulations, such as age group and type of offense?
    This Federal Register Notice provides the opportunity to comment on 
the following proposed REO evaluation data collection instruments:
    1. Semi-structured inverview protocols. As part of the 
implementation study, which will be conducted in approximately 28 
sites, the evaluation team will conduct semi-structured interviews with 
program administrators, frontline staff, and partners to understand how 
the program implementation has been developed, managed, and delivered.
    2. Participant focus group protocols. As part of the implementation 
study, the evaluation team will conduct focus groups to gather 
information from participants. Participant focus groups will ask about 
participants' reasons for enrolling, impressions of the program and the 
extent to which it has helped them prepare for employment.
    3. Employer focus group protocols. As part of the implementation 
study, the evaluation team will conduct focus groups to gather 
information from employers. The focus groups with employers will enable 
an exploration of how the grantees are meeting the needs of employers.
    4. Semi-structured telephone interview protocols. As part of the 
implementation study, the study team will conduct telephone interviews 
with approximately 58 sites that were not visited in person. These 
semi-structured interviews with program administrators will focus on 
understanding program implementation, challenges encountered, and their 
potential solutions.
    5. Virtual focus group protocols. As part of the implementation 
study, the study team will conduct approximately 15 virtual focus 
groups, including approximately 135 REO program administrators in 
total. Each focus group will be topically focused to gather more in-
depth information on a specific aspect of implementation, such as 
participant retention strategies, data management, or outcomes 
tracking.
    6. Follow-up survey. Approximately 5 grantees will be selected for 
the impact study. Among the selected grantees, the survey will be 
administered to approximately 1,890 impact study participants and will 
allow us to capture respondents' experiences in the program or in other 
services since enrollment in the study while measuring detailed 
information about study members' employment experiences. Specifically, 
the survey will collect data about participants' employment, earnings, 
credential attainment, skills attainment, recidivism and other topics 
of interest.
    II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Department of Labor 
is soliciting comments concerning the above data collection for the REO 
Evaluation. DOL is particularly interested in comments that do the 
following:
    [cir] evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;

[[Page 8118]]

    [cir] evaluate the accuracy of the agency's burden estimate of the 
proposed information collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions;
    [cir] enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [cir] 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--for example, permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions: At this time, the Department of Labor is 
requesting clearance for the semi-structured interviews with program 
administrators, frontline staff, and partner staff, and the focus 
groups with employers, program participants, and program administrators 
as part of the implementation study as well as the follow-up survey 
with a subset of sample members in the impact study.
    Type of Review: New information collection request.
    OMB Control Number: 1290-0NEW.
    Affected Public: REO program staff, evaluation participants, local 
employers, and partner agency staff.
    Comments submitted in response to this request 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.

                                          Estimated Annual Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Average burden      Annual
                                     Number of       Number of     Total number      time per        estimated
       Type of instrument           respondents    responses per   of responses      response      burden hours
                                        \a\         respondent                        (hours)           \a\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-structured interview: Grant              19               1              19               3              57
 administrators \b\.............
Semi-structured interview:                   196               1             196               1             196
 Frontline staff \b\............
Semi-structured interview:                    28               1              28               1              28
 Partner-staff administrators
 \b\............................
Semi-structured interview:                     6               1               6             1.5               9
 Intermediary grant
 administrators \b\.............
Participant focus groups \c\....              75               1              75               1              75
Employer focus groups \d\.......              37               1              37               1              37
Semi-structured telephone calls               58               1              58               2             116
 \e\............................
Virtual focus groups \f\........              45               1              45               1              45
Follow-up survey \g\............             630               1             630             .33             208
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................           1,094  ..............           1,094  ..............             771
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ All annual totals reflect a three year clearance and study data collection period. Estimates are rounded to
  the nearest whole number.
\b\ Assumes each visit will, on average, involve individual or group interviews with approximately 2 grant
  administrators, approximately 3 partner-staff administrators, and approximately 21 frontline staff. The team
  anticipates completing approximately 28 visits in total. The average burden time per response for the grant
  administrator interviews will be 3 hours. The average burden time per response for the partner-staff
  administrator interviews will be 1 hour. The average burden time per response for the frontline staff
  interviews will be 1 hour. For all types of staff, some meetings will be shorter and some will be longer than
  the averages. Additionally, the team anticipates conducting interviews with approximately 3 intermediary grant
  administrators in approximately 6 of the 28 visits. The intermediary grant administrator interviews will be
  approximately 1.5 hours, on average.
\c\ Assumes each participant focus group will, on average, involve 8 individuals and will be conducted in
  approximately 28 sites. The average burden time per response will be 1 hour.
\d\ Assumes each employer focus group will, on average, involve 4 individuals and will be conducted in
  approximately 28 sites. The average burden time per response will be 1 hour.
\e\ Assumes each phone interview will be conducted with approximately 3 program administrators from each of
  approximately 58 sites. The average length of the phone interview will be two hours.
\f\ Assumes approximately 15 virtual focus groups with approximately 9 program administrators participating per
  group. The average burden time per response will be 1 hour.
\g\ Assumes a follow-up survey will be conducted with approximately 1,890 study participants. The average burden
  time per response will be 20 minutes.


Molly Irwin,
Chief Evaluation Officer, U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2019-04054 Filed 3-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-HX-P
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