Agency Information Collection Activities: Modernizing Channels of Communication With SNAP Participants, 31573-31577 [2019-14030]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2019 / Notices
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[FR Doc. 2019–14076 Filed 7–1–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Modernizing Channels of
Communication With SNAP
Participants
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
public agencies to comment on this
proposed information collection for the
Modernizing Channels of
Communication with SNAP Participants
study. This is a new information
collection.
The primary purpose of the study is
to highlight best practices and lessons
learned from various mobile
communication strategies (MCS)
implemented by State Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
agencies. This examination will help
FNS and States improve communication
and identify best practices that lead to
improved program outcomes.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before September 3,
2019.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be
submitted through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal; go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for submitting
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SUMMARY:
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comments electronically. Comments
may also be sent to Andrew Burns, Food
and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive,
Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302 or
submitted via fax to the attention of
Andrew Burns at 703.305.2576 or via
email to Andrew.Burns@usda.gov.
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 Andrew Burns at
703.305.1091 or Andrew.burns@
usda.gov.
Comments
are invited on the following topics: (1)
Whether the proposed information
collection is necessary for the proper
performance of the agency’s functions,
including whether the information shall
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of
the agency’s estimate of the burden of
the proposed information collection,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the information collection on
those who are to respond, including use
of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology (IT).
Title: Modernizing Channels of
Communication with SNAP
Participants.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Number: 0584–NEW.
Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
Type of Request: New information
collection.
Abstract: Section 17 [7 U.S.C. 2026]
(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008, as amended, 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.
In recent years, many States have
enhanced their use of MCS to enable
SNAP participants to access information
about SNAP, receive alerts and
notifications, and perform certain case
management functions. These MCS offer
SNAP participants an alternative means
of interacting with SNAP agencies and
have the potential to improve customer
access and streamline case management
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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31573
activities. While there is a high level of
variability in MCS features and
functionality across States, MCS has the
potential to assist with the following
activities:
1. Clients Providing Information to
States
D Applying or recertifying activities:
MCS can help with broad functions,
such as providing an eligibility screener,
or with more personalized activities,
like scheduling an interview, submitting
documentation, and checking an
application’s status.
D Reporting changes: Participants can
use MCS to report changes that may
affect their case. This could include
information like changes in household
size or income, or, for individuals
subject to work requirements, changes
in work hours.
2. States Providing Information to
Clients
D Sending notifications: States can use
MCS to provide notifications to
participants, including identifying
verifications needed to process an
application, updating office closures,
and informing participants about
account changes.
D Responding to client inquiries: MCS
can be used to answer frequently asked
questions, link participants to
community partners or resources like
food banks or workforce development
centers, respond to individual
questions, and facilitate online chatting
with eligibility workers.
D Managing benefits and electronic
benefit transfer (EBT): Participants can
use MCS to manage their benefits and
EBT cards.
USDA FNS has funded the
Modernizing Channels of
Communication With SNAP
Participants study to highlight best
practices and lessons learned from
various MCS tested in State SNAP
agencies in order to understand the
range of functions available through
MCS and assess clients’ perspectives on
how these tools affect their completion
of typical tasks. This examination will
help FNS and States improve
communication and identify best
practices that lead to improved program
outcomes.
FNS identified four study objectives
for this project. The first objective will
present the landscape of mobile
technology use for SNAP across the
nation and provide a basis for selecting
the MCS case study sites. The second
and third objectives, which are the focus
of this information collection request,
are descriptive and will provide FNS
with an understanding of the State
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2019 / Notices
processes, challenges, and distinct
features of mobile technologies and the
clients’ experiences with these
technologies. The fourth objective will
summarize the best practices and
lessons learned for States that choose to
implement MCS moving forward.
The study will gather data through
site visits to five States with SNAP
MCS. Data will be collected in each of
the five study States through (1)
interviews with the State SNAP
director, State MCS leads and other staff
involved in MCS implementation, local
SNAP office staff, and State software
developers or IT staff; (2) interviews
with community partners; (3) interviews
with for-profit organizations (e.g.,
software developers or IT staff); and (4)
focus groups with individuals/
household (i.e., SNAP participants) and
surveys of SNAP applicants and waiting
room visitors. These data will provide
information on States’ and program
recipients’ use of MCS and client
satisfaction with and perspectives on
MCS.
Affected Public: (1) State, Local and
Tribal governments, (2) Business-Notfor-profit business organizations, (3)
Business for-profit organizations, and
(4) Individuals/households.
Respondent Type groups identified
includes—
1. State, Local and Tribal government:
State SNAP director, State staff involved
in MCS implementation, local SNAP
office staff, and software developers or
IT staff
2. Business-Not-for-profit business
organizations: Community partners
serving low-income populations and
involved in MCS testing,
implementation and/or outreach.
3. For-profit organizations: Thirdparty vendors (e.g., mobile app
developers).
4. Individuals: SNAP participants
who have used MCS, SNAP applicants
who may or may not have used MCS,
and SNAP eligible local office waiting
room visitors, including MCS nonusers.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The total estimated number of
respondents is 433 (67 State and local
government staff, 10 for-profit
organization staff, 20 not-for-profit staff
(staff from community partners), 336
individuals (166 SNAP participants and
170 waiting room visitors)). Of the 433
contacted, 315 are estimated to be
responsive and 118 are estimated to be
nonresponsive. The breakout follows:
1. 67 State and local government staff:
Of 6 State SNAP directors, 5 are
estimated to be responsive; of 30 State
staff involved in MCS implementation,
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25 are estimated to be responsive; of 25
local SNAP office staff, 20 are estimated
to be responsive; and of 6 software
developers or IT staff, 5 are estimated to
be responsive.
2. 20 Not-for-profit business
(community partners): Of 20 community
partners, 15 are estimated to be
responsive.
3. 10 for-profit business staff: Of 10
software developers or IT staff from forprofit businesses, 5 are estimated to be
responsive.
4. 336 Individuals (SNAP participants
and applicants/waiting room visitors):
Of 166 SNAP participants who use
MCS, 120 are estimated to be responsive
and 46 are estimated to be
unresponsive. Of the 120 responsive
participants who complete the screener,
90 will be eligible for the focus groups
and 30 will be ineligible. Of 170 local
SNAP office waiting room visitors,
including MCS nonusers, 120 are
estimated to be responsive and 50 will
be unresponsive. Of the 120 who are
responsive, 100 will be eligible for the
questionnaire and 20 will be ineligible.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: The average respondent
will have 2.80 responses (based on 433
total annual respondents, with 315
responsive and 118 nonresponsive). See
table 1 for the estimated number of
responses per respondent for each type
of respondent.
The breakout follows:
1. State and local government staff.
The estimated number of responses per
State and local government staff is 3.5:
• Out of 6 State SNAP directors, 5
State SNAP directors will respond to
advance materials and scheduling and 1
State SNAP director will not respond. 5
responsive State SNAP directors will
participate in an interview, and receive
a follow-up email.
• Out of 15 State SNAP MCS leads,
10 State SNAP MCS leads will respond
to advance materials and scheduling,
and 5 will not respond. 10 will then
participate in an introductory telephone
interview, and receive a follow-up
email. Later in the study, 25 MCS staff
(the original 10 MCS leads and 15 other
staff involved in MCS implementation)
will respond to advance materials and
scheduling for an in-person interview
and 5 will not respond. 25 will
participate in the interview, and receive
a follow-up email.
• Out of 6 State software developers
or IT staff, 5 State software developers
or IT staff will respond to advance
materials and scheduling and 1 will not
respond. 5 will participate in an
interview, and receive a follow-up
email.
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• Out of 25 local SNAP office staff, 20
local SNAP office staff will respond to
advance materials and scheduling and 5
will not respond. 20 will participate in
a group interview, and receive a followup email.
2. Not-for-profit businesses. The
estimated number of responses per notfor-profit businesses is 3.0:
• Out of 25 community partners, 20
community partners will respond to
advance materials and scheduling and 5
will not respond. 20 will participate in
an interview, and receive a follow-up
email.
3. For-profit businesses. The
estimated number of responses per forprofit businesses is 3.0:
• Out of 10 software developers or IT
staff from for-profit businesses, 5
software developers or IT staff from forprofit businesses will respond to
advance materials and scheduling and 5
will not respond. 5 will participate in an
interview, and receive a follow-up
email.
4. Individuals. The estimated number
of responses per individual is 2.7:
• Out of 166 SNAP participants, 120
individuals who are SNAP participants
and MCS users will respond to advance
materials and 46 will not respond. 120
individuals who complete an eligibility
screener will be eligible and 46 will be
ineligible. 120 eligible individuals will
receive reminders and 90 will
participate in a focus group.
• Out of 170 SNAP eligible visitors to
SNAP local office waiting rooms, 120
visitors to SNAP local office waiting
rooms, including MCS nonusers, will
respond to a request to participate in an
onsite questionnaire and 50 will not
respond. Out of the 120 visitors who
respond, 100 visitors will be eligible
and will participate in the waiting room
questionnaire and 20 will be ineligible.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
1,114 (895 annual responses for
responsive participants and 219 annual
responses for nonresponsive
participants).
Estimated Time per Response: The
estimated time of response varies from
0.03 hours to 1.5 hours depending on
respondent group and activity, as table
1 shows.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 315.02 hours (295.22
hours for responsive participants and
19.80 hours for nonresponsive
participants). See table 1 for estimated
total annual burden for each type of
respondent.
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Advance materials and preparation for
interviews, including scheduling
calls and reminders.
In-person semi-structured interview
protocol.
Follow-up email ...................................
Instruments and activities
Follow-up email ...................................
Advance materials and preparation for
introductory interview, including
scheduling calls and reminders.
Introductory call with State staff interview protocol.
Follow-up email ...................................
Advance materials and preparation for
in-person interview, including scheduling calls and reminders.
In-person semi-structured interview
protocol.
Advance materials and preparation for
interview, including scheduling calls
and reminders.
In-person semi-structured interview
protocol.
Follow-up email ...................................
Advance materials and preparation for
group interview, including scheduling calls and reminders.
In-person semi-structured group interview protocol.
Follow-up email ...................................
02JYN1
Business NotFor-Profit.
Community partners .......
Subtotal for for-profit
businesses.
Software developers or IT
staff.
Software developers or IT
staff.
Advance materials and preparation for
interview, including scheduling calls
and reminders.
.........................................................
Advance materials and preparation for
interview, including scheduling calls
and reminders.
In-person semi-structured interview
protocol.
Follow-up email ...................................
20.0
15.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
55.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
10.0
25.0
10.0
10.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
10.0
Frequency
of response
Total
annual
responses
Responsive
1.0
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Businesses
3.5
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
4.2
1
1.0
1
1.0
1.0
1.0
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
15.0
15.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
195.0
60.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
15.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
105.0
25.0
25.0
10.0
25.0
10.0
10.0
15.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
0.25
0.43
0.03
1.00
0.25
0.49
0.43
0.03
1.00
0.25
0.43
0.03
1.00
0.25
0.55
0.03
1.50
0.03
0.25
1.00
0.25
0.43
0.03
1.00
0.25
Hours per
response
State, local, and tribal government
Number of
respondents
5.0
10.0
Software developers or IT
staff.
Business ForProfit.
25.0
20.0
20.0
25.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
6.0
30.0
25.0
25.0
10.0
30.0
10.0
15.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
6.0
67.0
Subtotal for local SNAP office staff
Local SNAP office staff ...
Local SNAP office staff ...
Local SNAP office staff ...
Subtotal for software developers or IT staff
Software developers or IT
staff.
Software developers or IT
staff.
Software developers or IT
staff.
Subtotal for State staff involved in MCS implementation
State MCS leads .............
State MCS leads and
other staff involved in
MCS implementation.
State MCS leads and
other staff involved in
MCS implementation.
State MCS leads and
other staff involved in
MCS implementation.
State MCS leads .............
State MCS leads .............
Subtotal for State SNAP director
State SNAP director .......
State SNAP director .......
State SNAP director .......
Type of respondents
Sample
size
3.75
6.42
0.17
5.00
1.25
95.92
25.67
0.67
20.00
5.00
6.42
0.17
5.00
1.25
57.42
0.83
37.50
0.33
6.25
10.00
2.50
6.42
0.17
5.00
1.25
Annual
burden
(hours)
5.0
5.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
12.00
5.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
5.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
0.0
5.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
Number of
nonrespondents
TABLE 1—ESTIMATED TOTAL BURDEN PER RESPONDENT TYPE
State and local government subtotal ...............................................................................
Local government.
State government.
Respondent
category
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1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
1.42
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
Frequency
of response
5.0
5.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
17.00
5.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
10.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
0.0
5.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
Total
annual
responses
Nonresponsive
0.25
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.25
1.00
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.25
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.25
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.25
0.00
0.25
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.25
Hours per
response
1.25
1.25
0.00
0.00
1.25
4.25
1.25
0.00
0.00
1.25
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.25
2.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
1.25
0.00
1.25
0.25
0.00
0.00
0.25
Annual
burden
(hours)
5.0
7.7
0.2
5.0
2.5
100.2
26.9
0.7
20.0
6.3
6.7
0.2
5.0
1.5
59.9
0.8
37.5
0.3
7.5
10.0
3.8
6.7
0.2
5.0
1.5
Grand
total
annual
burden
estimate
(hours)
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15.0
120.0
90.0
Reminders ...........................................
In-person focus group protocol, consent form, demographic questionnaire.
120.0
Waiting room questionnaire .................
336.0
433.0
Total
170.0
170.0
In-person recruitment to participate ....
SNAP eligible subtotal
SNAP eligible in Local office waiting room visitors/MCS nonusers.
SNAP Eligible in Local
SNAP office waiting
room visitors/MCS
nonusers.
166.0
166.0
166.0
Eligibility screener ................................
SNAP participants/MCS users subtotal
SNAP participants/MCS
users.
Eligible SNAP participants/MCS users.
Eligible SNAP participants/MCS users.
Recruitment materials ..........................
30.0
SNAP participants/MCS
users.
20.0
15.0
Business subtotal
In-person semi-structured interview
protocol.
Follow-up email ...................................
Instruments and activities
Subtotal for Not-for-profit businesses
Community partners .......
Community partners .......
Type of respondents
Sample
size
315.0
240
120.0
100.0
120.0
120.0
90.0
90.0
120.0
120.0
20.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
Number of
respondents
60.0
45.0
15.0
15.0
Total
annual
responses
2.8
2.7
1.8
1.0
1.0
3.5
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
895.0
640.0
220.0
100.0
120.0
420.0
90.0
90.0
120.0
120.0
Individuals/Households
3.0
3.0
1.0
1.0
Frequency
of response
Responsive
0.33
0.27
0.06
0.08
0.03
0.38
1.50
0.03
0.17
0.03
0.43
0.43
0.03
1.00
Hours per
response
295.22
173.63
12.33
8.33
4.00
161.30
135.00
2.70
20.00
3.60
25.67
19.25
0.50
15.00
Annual
burden
(hours)
118.0
96.0
50.0
20.0
50.0
46.0
0.0
30.0
46.0
46.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
0.0
Number of
nonrespondents
TABLE 1—ESTIMATED TOTAL BURDEN PER RESPONDENT TYPE—Continued
Individuals subtotal ..........................................................................................................
SNAP Eligible
Individuals.
SNAP Participants MCS
Users.
Respondent
category
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1.9
2.0
1.4
1.0
1.0
2.7
0.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
Frequency
of response
219.0
192.0
70.0
20.0
50.0
122.0
0.0
30.0
46.0
46.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
0.0
Total
annual
responses
Nonresponsive
0.09
0.07
0.04
0.08
0.03
0.08
0.00
0.03
0.17
0.03
0.50
0.25
0.00
0.00
Hours per
response
19.80
13.05
3.10
1.60
1.50
9.95
0.00
0.90
7.67
1.38
2.50
1.25
0.00
0.00
Annual
burden
(hours)
315.0
186.7
15.4
9.9
5.5
171.2
135.0
3.6
27.7
5.0
28.2
20.5
0.5
15.0
Grand
total
annual
burden
estimate
(hours)
31576
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Dated: June 19, 2019.
Brandon Lipps,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–14030 Filed 7–1–19; 8:45 am]
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refund any incurred charges. Callers
will incur no charge for calls they
initiate over land-line connections to
the toll-free telephone number. Persons
with hearing impairments may also
follow the proceedings by first calling
the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–
8339 and providing the Service with the
conference call number and conference
ID number.
Members of the public are also
entitled to submit written comments;
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:00 Jul 01, 2019
Jkt 247001
the comments must be received in the
regional office within 30 days following
the meeting. Written comments may be
mailed to the Regional Programs Unit
Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights,
230 S Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL
60604. They may also be faxed to the
Commission at (312) 353–8324, or
emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@
usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
Regional Programs Unit Office at (312)
353–8311.
Records generated from this meeting
may be inspected and reproduced at the
Regional Programs Unit Office, as they
become available, both before and after
the meeting. Records of the meeting will
be available via www.facadatabase.gov
under the Commission on Civil Rights,
Ohio Advisory Committee link. Persons
interested in the work of this Committee
are also directed to the Commission’s
website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may
contact the Regional Programs Unit
office at the above email or street
address.
Agenda
Welcome and Roll Call
Discussion: Education Funding in Ohio
Public Comment
Adjournment
Dated: June 27, 2019.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2019–14073 Filed 7–1–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6335–01–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meetings of the
Mississippi Advisory Committee to the
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act that
the Mississippi Advisory Committee
(Committee) will hold a meeting on
Tuesday July 16, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.
Central time. The Committee will
discuss next steps in their study of
prosecutorial discretion in the state.
DATES: The meeting will take place on
Tuesday July 16, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.
Central Time.
Public Call Information: Dial: 800–
353–6461, Conference ID: 3111491.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
31577
mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or (312) 353–
8311.
Members
of the public may listen to this
discussion through the above call in
number. An open comment period will
be provided to allow members of the
public to make a statement as time
allows. The conference call operator
will ask callers to identify themselves,
the organization they are affiliated with
(if any), and an email address prior to
placing callers into the conference
room. Callers can expect to incur regular
charges for calls they initiate over
wireless lines, according to their
wireless plan. The Commission will not
refund any incurred charges. Callers
will incur no charge for calls they
initiate over land-line connections to
the toll-free telephone number. Persons
with hearing impairments may also
follow the proceedings by first calling
the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–
8339 and providing the Service with the
conference call number and conference
ID number.
Members of the public are entitled to
submit written comments; the
comments must be received in the
regional office within 30 days following
the meeting. Written comments may be
mailed to the Regional Programs Unit,
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S
Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL
60604. They may also be faxed to the
Commission at (312) 353–8324, or
emailed to Corrine Sanders at csanders@
usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
Regional Programs Unit at (312) 353–
8311.
Records generated from this meeting
may be inspected and reproduced at the
Regional Programs Unit Office, as they
become available, both before and after
the meeting. Records of the meeting will
be available via www.facadatabase.gov
under the Commission on Civil Rights,
Mississippi Advisory Committee link.
Persons interested in the work of this
Committee are directed to the
Commission’s website, https://
www.usccr.gov, or may contact the
Regional Programs Unit at the above
email or street address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agenda
I. Welcome and roll call
II. Discussion: Prosecutorial Discretion
in Mississippi
III. Public comment
IV. Next steps
V. Adjournment
E:\FR\FM\02JYN1.SGM
02JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31573-31577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14030]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Modernizing Channels of
Communication With SNAP Participants
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 public agencies to comment on
this proposed information collection for the Modernizing Channels of
Communication with SNAP Participants study. This is a new information
collection.
The primary purpose of the study is to highlight best practices and
lessons learned from various mobile communication strategies (MCS)
implemented by State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
agencies. This examination will help FNS and States improve
communication and identify best practices that lead to improved program
outcomes.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 3,
2019.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal; go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online
instructions for submitting comments electronically. Comments may also
be sent to Andrew Burns, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302 or
submitted via fax to the attention of Andrew Burns at 703.305.2576 or
via email to [email protected].
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 Andrew
Burns at 703.305.1091 or [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on the following
topics: (1) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary
for the proper performance of the agency's functions, including whether
the information shall have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection,
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the information
collection on those who are to respond, including use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology (IT).
Title: Modernizing Channels of Communication with SNAP
Participants.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Number: 0584-NEW.
Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
Type of Request: New information collection.
Abstract: Section 17 [7 U.S.C. 2026] (a)(1) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, 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.
In recent years, many States have enhanced their use of MCS to
enable SNAP participants to access information about SNAP, receive
alerts and notifications, and perform certain case management
functions. These MCS offer SNAP participants an alternative means of
interacting with SNAP agencies and have the potential to improve
customer access and streamline case management activities. While there
is a high level of variability in MCS features and functionality across
States, MCS has the potential to assist with the following activities:
1. Clients Providing Information to States
[ssquf] Applying or recertifying activities: MCS can help with
broad functions, such as providing an eligibility screener, or with
more personalized activities, like scheduling an interview, submitting
documentation, and checking an application's status.
[ssquf] Reporting changes: Participants can use MCS to report
changes that may affect their case. This could include information like
changes in household size or income, or, for individuals subject to
work requirements, changes in work hours.
2. States Providing Information to Clients
[ssquf] Sending notifications: States can use MCS to provide
notifications to participants, including identifying verifications
needed to process an application, updating office closures, and
informing participants about account changes.
[ssquf] Responding to client inquiries: MCS can be used to answer
frequently asked questions, link participants to community partners or
resources like food banks or workforce development centers, respond to
individual questions, and facilitate online chatting with eligibility
workers.
[ssquf] Managing benefits and electronic benefit transfer (EBT):
Participants can use MCS to manage their benefits and EBT cards.
USDA FNS has funded the Modernizing Channels of Communication With
SNAP Participants study to highlight best practices and lessons learned
from various MCS tested in State SNAP agencies in order to understand
the range of functions available through MCS and assess clients'
perspectives on how these tools affect their completion of typical
tasks. This examination will help FNS and States improve communication
and identify best practices that lead to improved program outcomes.
FNS identified four study objectives for this project. The first
objective will present the landscape of mobile technology use for SNAP
across the nation and provide a basis for selecting the MCS case study
sites. The second and third objectives, which are the focus of this
information collection request, are descriptive and will provide FNS
with an understanding of the State
[[Page 31574]]
processes, challenges, and distinct features of mobile technologies and
the clients' experiences with these technologies. The fourth objective
will summarize the best practices and lessons learned for States that
choose to implement MCS moving forward.
The study will gather data through site visits to five States with
SNAP MCS. Data will be collected in each of the five study States
through (1) interviews with the State SNAP director, State MCS leads
and other staff involved in MCS implementation, local SNAP office
staff, and State software developers or IT staff; (2) interviews with
community partners; (3) interviews with for-profit organizations (e.g.,
software developers or IT staff); and (4) focus groups with
individuals/household (i.e., SNAP participants) and surveys of SNAP
applicants and waiting room visitors. These data will provide
information on States' and program recipients' use of MCS and client
satisfaction with and perspectives on MCS.
Affected Public: (1) State, Local and Tribal governments, (2)
Business-Not-for-profit business organizations, (3) Business for-profit
organizations, and (4) Individuals/households.
Respondent Type groups identified includes--
1. State, Local and Tribal government: State SNAP director, State
staff involved in MCS implementation, local SNAP office staff, and
software developers or IT staff
2. Business-Not-for-profit business organizations: Community
partners serving low-income populations and involved in MCS testing,
implementation and/or outreach.
3. For-profit organizations: Third-party vendors (e.g., mobile app
developers).
4. Individuals: SNAP participants who have used MCS, SNAP
applicants who may or may not have used MCS, and SNAP eligible local
office waiting room visitors, including MCS nonusers.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of
respondents is 433 (67 State and local government staff, 10 for-profit
organization staff, 20 not-for-profit staff (staff from community
partners), 336 individuals (166 SNAP participants and 170 waiting room
visitors)). Of the 433 contacted, 315 are estimated to be responsive
and 118 are estimated to be nonresponsive. The breakout follows:
1. 67 State and local government staff: Of 6 State SNAP directors,
5 are estimated to be responsive; of 30 State staff involved in MCS
implementation, 25 are estimated to be responsive; of 25 local SNAP
office staff, 20 are estimated to be responsive; and of 6 software
developers or IT staff, 5 are estimated to be responsive.
2. 20 Not-for-profit business (community partners): Of 20 community
partners, 15 are estimated to be responsive.
3. 10 for-profit business staff: Of 10 software developers or IT
staff from for-profit businesses, 5 are estimated to be responsive.
4. 336 Individuals (SNAP participants and applicants/waiting room
visitors): Of 166 SNAP participants who use MCS, 120 are estimated to
be responsive and 46 are estimated to be unresponsive. Of the 120
responsive participants who complete the screener, 90 will be eligible
for the focus groups and 30 will be ineligible. Of 170 local SNAP
office waiting room visitors, including MCS nonusers, 120 are estimated
to be responsive and 50 will be unresponsive. Of the 120 who are
responsive, 100 will be eligible for the questionnaire and 20 will be
ineligible.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: The average
respondent will have 2.80 responses (based on 433 total annual
respondents, with 315 responsive and 118 nonresponsive). See table 1
for the estimated number of responses per respondent for each type of
respondent.
The breakout follows:
1. State and local government staff. The estimated number of
responses per State and local government staff is 3.5:
Out of 6 State SNAP directors, 5 State SNAP directors will
respond to advance materials and scheduling and 1 State SNAP director
will not respond. 5 responsive State SNAP directors will participate in
an interview, and receive a follow-up email.
Out of 15 State SNAP MCS leads, 10 State SNAP MCS leads
will respond to advance materials and scheduling, and 5 will not
respond. 10 will then participate in an introductory telephone
interview, and receive a follow-up email. Later in the study, 25 MCS
staff (the original 10 MCS leads and 15 other staff involved in MCS
implementation) will respond to advance materials and scheduling for an
in-person interview and 5 will not respond. 25 will participate in the
interview, and receive a follow-up email.
Out of 6 State software developers or IT staff, 5 State
software developers or IT staff will respond to advance materials and
scheduling and 1 will not respond. 5 will participate in an interview,
and receive a follow-up email.
Out of 25 local SNAP office staff, 20 local SNAP office
staff will respond to advance materials and scheduling and 5 will not
respond. 20 will participate in a group interview, and receive a
follow-up email.
2. Not-for-profit businesses. The estimated number of responses per
not-for-profit businesses is 3.0:
Out of 25 community partners, 20 community partners will
respond to advance materials and scheduling and 5 will not respond. 20
will participate in an interview, and receive a follow-up email.
3. For-profit businesses. The estimated number of responses per
for-profit businesses is 3.0:
Out of 10 software developers or IT staff from for-profit
businesses, 5 software developers or IT staff from for-profit
businesses will respond to advance materials and scheduling and 5 will
not respond. 5 will participate in an interview, and receive a follow-
up email.
4. Individuals. The estimated number of responses per individual is
2.7:
Out of 166 SNAP participants, 120 individuals who are SNAP
participants and MCS users will respond to advance materials and 46
will not respond. 120 individuals who complete an eligibility screener
will be eligible and 46 will be ineligible. 120 eligible individuals
will receive reminders and 90 will participate in a focus group.
Out of 170 SNAP eligible visitors to SNAP local office
waiting rooms, 120 visitors to SNAP local office waiting rooms,
including MCS nonusers, will respond to a request to participate in an
onsite questionnaire and 50 will not respond. Out of the 120 visitors
who respond, 100 visitors will be eligible and will participate in the
waiting room questionnaire and 20 will be ineligible.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,114 (895 annual responses for
responsive participants and 219 annual responses for nonresponsive
participants).
Estimated Time per Response: The estimated time of response varies
from 0.03 hours to 1.5 hours depending on respondent group and
activity, as table 1 shows.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 315.02 hours (295.22
hours for responsive participants and 19.80 hours for nonresponsive
participants). See table 1 for estimated total annual burden for each
type of respondent.
[[Page 31575]]
Table 1--Estimated Total Burden per Respondent Type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsive Nonresponsive Grand
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- total
Instruments and Sample annual
Respondent category Type of respondents activities size Number of Frequency Total Hours per Annual Number of Frequency of Total Hours per Annual burden
respondents of annual response burden nonrespondents response annual response burden estimate
response responses (hours) responses (hours) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State, local, and tribal government
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State government.................... State SNAP director... Advance materials and 6.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 1.5
preparation for
interviews, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
State SNAP director... In-person semi- 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 1.00 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 5.0
structured interview
protocol.
State SNAP director... Follow-up email....... 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.03 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal for State SNAP director 6.0 5.0 3.0 15.0 0.43 6.42 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 6.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State MCS leads....... Advance materials and 15.0 10.0 1.0 10.0 0.25 2.50 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 3.8
preparation for
introductory
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
State MCS leads....... Introductory call with 10.0 10.0 1.0 10.0 1.00 10.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 10.0
State staff interview
protocol.
State MCS leads....... Follow-up email....... 10.0 10.0 1 10.0 0.03 0.33 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.3
State MCS leads and Advance materials and 30.0 25.0 1.0 25.0 0.25 6.25 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 7.5
other staff involved preparation for in-
in MCS implementation. person interview,
including scheduling
calls and reminders.
State MCS leads and In-person semi- 25.0 25.0 1.0 25.0 1.50 37.50 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 37.5
other staff involved structured interview
in MCS implementation. protocol.
State MCS leads and Follow-up email....... 25.0 25.0 1 25.0 0.03 0.83 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.8
other staff involved
in MCS implementation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal for State staff involved in MCS 30.0 25.0 4.2 105.0 0.55 57.42 5.0 2.0 10.0 0.25 2.50 59.9
implementation
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software developers or Advance materials and 6.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 1.5
IT staff. preparation for
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
Software developers or In-person semi- 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 1.00 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 5.0
IT staff. structured interview
protocol.
Software developers or Follow-up email....... 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.03 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.2
IT staff.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal for software developers or IT staff 6.0 5.0 3.0 15.0 0.43 6.42 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 6.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local government.................... Local SNAP office Advance materials and 25.0 20.0 1.0 20.0 0.25 5.00 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 6.3
staff. preparation for group
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
Local SNAP office In-person semi- 20.0 20.0 1.0 20.0 1.00 20.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 20.0
staff. structured group
interview protocol.
Local SNAP office Follow-up email....... 20.0 20.0 1.0 20.0 0.03 0.67 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.7
staff.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal for local SNAP office staff 25.0 20.0 3.0 60.0 0.43 25.67 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 26.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State and local government subtotal................................................. 67.0 55.0 3.5 195.0 0.49 95.92 12.00 1.42 17.00 1.00 4.25 100.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Businesses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business For-Profit................. Software developers or Advance materials and 10.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 2.5
IT staff. preparation for
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
Software developers or In-person semi- 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 1.00 5.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 5.0
IT staff. structured interview
protocol.
Software developers or Follow-up email....... 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.03 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.2
IT staff.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal for for- ...................... 10.0 5.0 3.0 15.0 0.43 6.42 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 7.7
profit businesses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Not-For-Profit............. Community partners.... Advance materials and 20.0 15.0 1.0 15.0 0.25 3.75 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 5.0
preparation for
interview, including
scheduling calls and
reminders.
[[Page 31576]]
Community partners.... In-person semi- 15.0 15.0 1.0 15.0 1.00 15.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 15.0
structured interview
protocol.
Community partners.... Follow-up email....... 15.0 15.0 1.0 15.0 0.03 0.50 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal for Not-for-profit businesses 20.0 15.0 3.0 45.0 0.43 19.25 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.25 1.25 20.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business subtotal 30.0 20.0 3.0 60.0 0.43 25.67 10.0 1.0 10.0 0.50 2.50 28.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals/Households
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNAP Participants MCS Users......... SNAP participants/MCS Recruitment materials. 166.0 120.0 1.0 120.0 0.03 3.60 46.0 1.0 46.0 0.03 1.38 5.0
users.
SNAP participants/MCS Eligibility screener.. 166.0 120.0 1.0 120.0 0.17 20.00 46.0 1.0 46.0 0.17 7.67 27.7
users.
Eligible SNAP Reminders............. 120.0 90.0 1.0 90.0 0.03 2.70 30.0 1.0 30.0 0.03 0.90 3.6
participants/MCS
users.
Eligible SNAP In-person focus group 90.0 90.0 1.0 90.0 1.50 135.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 135.0
participants/MCS protocol, consent
users. form, demographic
questionnaire.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNAP participants/MCS users subtotal 166.0 120.0 3.5 420.0 0.38 161.30 46.0 2.7 122.0 0.08 9.95 171.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNAP Eligible Individuals........... SNAP eligible in Local In-person recruitment 170.0 120.0 1.0 120.0 0.03 4.00 50.0 1.0 50.0 0.03 1.50 5.5
office waiting room to participate.
visitors/MCS nonusers.
SNAP Eligible in Local Waiting room 120.0 100.0 1.0 100.0 0.08 8.33 20.0 1.0 20.0 0.08 1.60 9.9
SNAP office waiting questionnaire.
room visitors/MCS
nonusers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNAP eligible subtotal 170.0 120.0 1.8 220.0 0.06 12.33 50.0 1.4 70.0 0.04 3.10 15.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals subtotal................................................................ 336.0 240 2.7 640.0 0.27 173.63 96.0 2.0 192.0 0.07 13.05 186.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 433.0 315.0 2.8 895.0 0.33 295.22 118.0 1.9 219.0 0.09 19.80 315.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 31577]]
Dated: June 19, 2019.
Brandon Lipps,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14030 Filed 7-1-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
