Agency Information Collection Activities: WIC & FMNP Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation, 85488-85492 [2024-25008]
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85488
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 89, No. 208
Monday, October 28, 2024
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
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section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: WIC & FMNP Outreach,
Innovation, and Modernization
Evaluation
Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and
other public agencies to comment on
this proposed information collection.
This collection is a new collection. The
purpose of this information collection is
to provide information on the
implementation and effectiveness of
modernization projects across all 88
Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) State agencies to help
identify successes, opportunities for
improvement, and areas for additional
support from FNS to strengthen project
implementation.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before December 27,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed
to Carol.Dreibelbis@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:
Requests for additional information or
requests for copies of this information
collection should be directed to Carol
Dreibelbis at Carol.Dreibelbis@usda.gov
or 703–305–2161.
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SUMMARY:
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The
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(ARPA), which was signed into law in
March 2021, provided USDA with $390
million and waiver authority for
outreach, innovation, and program
modernization in WIC and the WIC
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
(FMNP). FNS is interested in
understanding the implementation and
outcomes related to these modernization
efforts.
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.
Title: WIC & FMNP Outreach,
Innovation, and Modernization
Evaluation.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Number: 0584–NEW.
Expiration Date: Not Yet Determined.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: The Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC) provides
supplemental food, nutrition education,
and referrals to health and social
services to pregnant and postpartum
women, infants, and children up to age
5 who are living in households with low
incomes and are at nutritional risk. The
WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
(FMNP) provides eligible WIC
participants with FMNP benefits, in
addition to their regular WIC benefits,
which can be used to buy eligible foods
from farmers, farmers’ markets, or
roadside stands that have been
approved by the WIC State agency.
While the benefits of participating in
WIC have been well documented, WIC
continues to reach only about half of
those eligible to participate.1 WIC has
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1 Kessler C., Bryant A., Munkacsy K., and Gray K.
(2024). National- and State-Level Estimates of the
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relied on a traditional service delivery
model that includes potentially
challenging requirements for
participants—such as regular in-persononly appointments to determine
eligibility and to continue receiving
services; limited or no online or digital
services; and in-person shopping only.
In an effort to improve service delivery
and permanently modernize WIC, the
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of
2021 provided FNS with $390 million
and waiver authority to support WIC
modernization. Under ARPA, FNS
supports WIC modernization efforts by
providing grants to all State agencies,
offering waivers that support
modernization efforts, collaborating
with partners via cooperative
agreements and contracts, and
conducting projects. WIC modernization
efforts seek to improve the WIC
participant experience, reduce
disparities in WIC service delivery, and
increase WIC participation and
retention.
The WIC & FMNP Outreach,
Innovation, and Modernization
Evaluation (WIC modernization
evaluation) will help FNS understand
the implementation and impacts of
ARPA-funded projects and waivers to
inform current and future
modernization efforts. The WIC
modernization evaluation has three
components: an implementation study,
a waiver study, and an impact study.
The implementation study will provide
a comprehensive understanding of
project implementation while
accommodating variations in the timing
of projects within different program
areas, implementation within and
between State agencies, and innovative
approaches. The implementation study
component will collect a broad range of
data from WIC State agencies, local
agencies, clinics, vendors and
authorized outlets (including farmers,
farmers’ markets, and roadside stands),
and WIC participants. These data will
provide current and ongoing
information about modernization efforts
in all 88 WIC State agencies.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Eligibility and
WIC Program Reach in 2022. Prepared by Insight
Policy Research, Contract No. 12319819A0005.
Alexandria, VA: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy
Support, Project Officer: Grant Lovellette. Available
online at: www.fns.usda.gov/research-analysis.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2024 / Notices
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The waiver study component will
provide an understanding of waiver
issuance and how State agencies used
waivers. The waiver study will rely on
many of the same data sources as the
implementation study, especially the
interviews with WIC State agencies. The
study will also collect information on
whether and how unique waivers were
implemented by WIC State agencies to
conduct the modernization projects.
The impact study component of the
evaluation will measure the impact of
the WIC and FMNP modernization
projects on participants through key
short-term and intermediate-term
outcome measures, including
enrollment, participation, retention,
benefit redemption, participant
experience (e.g., satisfaction), and
disparities in program delivery. It will
address whether the modernization
projects improved these key outcome
measures and how changes in these
outcomes were related to the number
and type of modernization projects.
While most outcomes will be measured
with administrative data (collected
under existing projects), the impact
study will also use surveys to learn
about the experiences and satisfaction of
WIC program staff, vendor/authorized
outlet staff, and participants with the
changes to the WIC program because of
the modernization activities. In
addition, the impact study will rely on
information from the implementation
and waiver studies regarding where and
when projects and waivers were
implemented.
Affected Public: Identified respondent
groups include the following:
1. State, local, and tribal governments:
WIC State agency staff in all 88 State
agencies and local agency and clinic
staff in every State agency jurisdiction.
2. Business (profit, non-profit, or
farm) respondents: WIC and FMNP
vendors and authorized outlet staff in
every State agency jurisdiction.
3. Individual/household respondents:
WIC participants in every State agency
jurisdiction.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The total estimated number of
respondents is 186,608. Of the 186,608
respondents to be contacted, 24,564 are
expected to be responsive and 162,044
are expected to be nonresponsive. The
breakout is as follows:
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1. 5,938 State, local, and tribal
government staff: Of the 132 State
agency staff contacted for an interview,
132 are expected to be responsive. Of
the 222 local agency and clinic staff
contacted for a case study interview,
160 are expected to be responsive. Of
the 5,200 State agency, local agency,
and clinic staff contacted for a survey,
4,160 are expected to be responsive. Of
the 88 State agency staff invited for a
webinar, 88 are expected to be
responsive. Of the 176 State agency staff
invited for a data collection planning
meeting, 176 are expected to be
responsive. Of the 88 State agency staff
asked to support data collection, 88 are
expected to be responsive. Of the 32
local agency staff invited for a data
collection planning meeting and
support data collection, 32 are expected
to be responsive.
2. 4,200 business respondents: Of the
100 WIC vendor/outlet staff contacted
for a case study interview, 68 are
expected to be responsive. Of the 4,100
WIC vendor/outlet staff contacted for a
survey, 3,280 are expected to be
responsive.
3. 176,470 individual respondents: Of
the 920 WIC participants contacted for
a case study focus group, 580 are
expected to be responsive. Of the
175,550 WIC participants contacted for
a survey, 15,800 are expected to be
responsive.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 9.2 across the entire
collection, including respondents who
receive communications but do not
provide data for the study. The breakout
is as follows:
1. State agency staff: 6.3 responses per
respondent. 132 State agency staff will
be asked to complete a virtual interview
(each year, for three years) and 1,300
State agency staff will be asked to
complete a survey. Prior to data
collection, they will receive advanced
communications about the study. 88
State agency staff will be invited to
attend a webinar. 176 State agency staff
will be invited to attend a planning
meeting. 88 State agency staff will be
asked to support data collection.
2. Local agency and clinic staff: 6.6
responses per respondent. 222 local
agency and clinic staff will be asked to
complete an in-person interview and
3,900 will be asked to complete a
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85489
survey. Prior to data collection, they
will receive advanced communications
about the study. 32 local agency staff
will be asked to attend a planning
meeting and support data collection.
3. WIC vendor/outlet staff: 10.8
responses per respondent. 100 vendor/
outlet staff will be asked to complete an
in-person case study interview and
4,100 will be asked to complete a
survey. Prior to data collection, they
will receive advanced communications
about the study.
4. Individual respondents: 9.3
responses per respondent. 920 WIC
participants will be asked to participate
in a case study focus group and 175,550
will be asked to complete a survey. Prior
to data collection, they will receive
advanced communications about the
study.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
Including respondents who receive
communications but do not provide
data for the study, there are an
estimated 1,717,385 total responses and
572,462 annual responses. This is an
estimated annual average, as data
collection activities will take place over
the course of three years: 2025, 2026,
and 2027.
Estimated Time per Response: The
estimated time of responses varies from
1 minute (0.0167 hours) for receipt of a
text or email to 3.0167 hours for local
agency staff planning and supporting
data collection for case studies.
Including respondents who receive
communications but do not provide
data for the study, the estimated average
response time is about 1.2 minutes (0.02
hours).
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: Including burden on
respondents who receive
communications but do not provide
data for the study, there is an estimated
32,108 hours of total burden and 10,703
hours of annual burden on respondents.
This is an estimated annual average, as
data collection activities will take place
over the course of three years: 2025,
2026, and 2027. Please see the table
below for estimated total annual burden
for each type of respondent.
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
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Type of
respondents
case study
locus groups
Jkt 265001
Individual/
Household
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\VIC
participants
participating in
experience
surveys
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Reminder Text
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Guide
WIC Participant Gase Study Focus Group Thank You Bnail
WIC Participant Gase Study Focus Group Thank You Text
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Recruitment Flyer
WI C Participant Experience Survey Recruitment Email from WIC
State Agency
WIC Participant Experience Survey lnvitaion Email from WIC Stats
Agency
WI C Participant Experience Survey lnvitaion Text
WI C Participant Experience Survey Reminder Email
WIC Participant Experience Survey Reminder Text
Fmt 4703
WI C Participant Experience Survey Reminder Phone Call
WI C Participant Experience Survey Reminder Postcard
WI C Participant Experience Survey
WI C Participant Experience Survey Thank You Email
WIC Participant Experience Survey Thank You Text
St11dv □•sr.rintinn for VIIC Partir,inani.
•. /,::'!i_'{//'.'f,•;',/;'i/ii:')2{,•;i;
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WIC & FMNP
vendor/outlet
staff
participating in
case study
interviews
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview
Recruitment Email from State or Local Agency
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview
Recruitment Email from the Mathematica Study Team
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview
Confirmation Email
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview
Confirmation Text
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview Reminder
Email
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview Reminder
Text
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview Protocol
28OCN1
Business
(Profit, NonProfit, or
Farm)
WIC & FMNP
vendor/outlet
staff
participating In
experience
surveys
EN28OC24.006</GPH>
WI C Participant Case Study Focus Group Reminder Email
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview Thank You
Email
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Case Study lnlerview Thank You
Text
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Experience Survey Recruitment
Email from WIC Stats Agency
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Experience Survey Invitation
Email from the Mathematica Study lean
WIC & FMNP Vendor/Outlet Stal Experience Survey Invitation Text
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Stal Experience Survey Reminder
Email
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Stal Experience Survey Reminder
Text
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Stal Experience Survey Reminder
Phone Gall
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Stal Experience Survey
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Experience Survey Thank You
Email
WI C& FMNP Vendor/Outlet Staff Experience Survey Thank You
Text
Appendix
Appendix N.2
Append0< N.3
AppendD< N.5
Append0< N.6
Appendix N. 7
Appendix N.8
Appendix F.4
Append"' N.9
Appendix N.10
Appendix N. t
Appendix T.2
AppendixT.3
AppendixT.4
Append0< T.5
Appendix T.6
Append"' T.5
Appendix T.5
AppendixQ
Appendix T.7
Appendix T.8
Annandix N.4
, ..,
AppendixM.1
Appendix M.2
AppendixM.4
Appendix M.5
Appendix M.6
Appendix M. 7
Append0< F.2
Appendix M.8
Appendix M.9
Appendix S.2
Appendix S.3
Appendix S.4
Appendix S.5
Appendix S.6
Appendix S.5
Appendix P
Appendix S.7
Appendix S.8
Number of
respondents
Frequency
of response
Total
responses
Hours per
response
Total
burden
(hours)
Number of
Non•
respondents
Frequency
of
response
Total
responses
Hours per
response
Grand Total
Burda,
Estimate
(hours)
920
920
644
644
644
644
644
580
580
t,600
920
644
644
644
644
644
580
580
580
1,600
I
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
I
920
644
644
644
644
644
580
580
580
1,600
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
1.5000
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
15
11
11
11
11
11
870
10
10
27
0
276
0
0
0
0
64
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
175,550
175,550
1
175,550
0.0167
2,932
0
0
0.0167
2,932
175,550
175,550
175,550
175,550
175,550
175,550
175,550
15,800
15,800
175550
175,550
175,550
175,550
175,550
8,778
5,267
15,800
15,800
15,800
175,550
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
I
I
175,550
175,550
351,100
351,IOO
8,778
5,267
15,800
15,800
15,800
175.550
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0334
0.0167
0.1670
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
2,932
2,932
5,863
5,863
293
88
2,639
264
264
2,932
0
0
0
0
0
0
159,750
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0167
0.0334
0.0167
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0167
2,932
2,932
5,863
5,863
293
88
2,639
264
264
2,932
....
;;;;(t\11.~': Y}hit;,..,i
e .,;:.
''~il\£ij\r.: '
276
64
159,750
0.0167
0.0167
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0167
Total
burden
(hours)
4.609
15
15
11
11
11
11
870
10
10
27
:;,: ;t;;o:oc ::: ):®;~. 8.):/J!{~ ;i;\;qi.,,; j} ';]!fi';ffl'.)
100
100
1
100
0.0167
2
0
0
2
100
75
1
75
0.0167
1
25
1
75
75
I
75
0.0167
1
0
0
0.0000
1
75
75
I
75
0.0167
1
0
0
0.0000
1
75
75
1
75
0.0167
1
0
0
0.0000
1
75
75
1
75
0.0167
1
0
0
75
68
1
68
1.0000
68
7
7
68
68
1
68
0.0167
1
0
68
68
1
68
0.0167
1
0
4,100
4,100
I
4,100
0.0167
68
4,100
4,100
4,100
4,100
1
I
4,100
4,100
0.0167
0.0167
4,100
4,100
2
8,200
4,100
4,100
2
4,100
4,100
1,230
3,280
3,280
3,280
0.0167
25
0.0167
0.418
2
0.0000
1
0.0000
68
0
0.0000
1
0
0.0000
1
0
0
0.0167
68
68
68
0
0
0
0
0.0167
0.0167
68
68
0.0167
137
0
0
0.0167
137
8,200
0.0167
137
0
0
0.0167
137
1
1
1,230
3,280
0.0334
0.1670
41
548
0
820
0
1
0.0334
0.0000
41
548
3,280
1
3,280
0.0167
55
0
0
0.0000
55
3,280
1
3,280
0.0167
55
0
0
0.0000
55
1
820
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2024 / Notices
19:13 Oct 25, 2024
WIC
participants
participating in
Instruments
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Recruitment Email from
State/Local Agency
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Scheduling Email
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Confinnation Email
WI C Participant Gase Study Focus Group Confinnation Text
Sample
Size
85490
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Respondent
Category
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VerDate Sep<11>2014
I
Type of
respondents
I
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E:\FR\FM\28OCN1.SGM
28OCN1
Instruments
Study Descnption for WIC & FMNP Vendors/Outlets
'$41irie$9:(Ptofil,Non•l?'roli~ qr Farm} $4~-r~llii\
?dt
WIC Local Agency Case Study Recruibnent Emal from State
Agency
WIC Local Agency Case Study Planning Call Recruibnent Email
VIIClocal
agency/clinic from the Mathematica Study Team and Planning Call
staff
WIC Local Agency Staff Case Study lnrerview Scheduling Email
participating in
WIC Local Agency Staff Case Study lnrerview Reminder Email
case study
WIC Local Agency Staff Case Study lnrerview Protocol
interviews
WIC Local Agency Staff Case Study lnrerview Thank You Email
Study Descnption for WIC Local Agencies
VIIClocal
WIC Program Staff Experience Survey Invitation Email from 1he
agency/cllnlc
Mathematica Study Team
staff
WIC Program Staff Experience Survey Reminder Email
participating in
WIC Program Staff Experience Survey
experience
WIC Program Staff Experience Survey Thank You Emal
surveys
WIC State Agency Study Recruitment Email from the Mathematica
Study Team and Planning Call
WIC State Agency Staff Interview Scheduling Email and
State, Local,
WIC State
Prep_aration Time
or Tribal
agency staff
Government participating in WIG State Agency Staff Interview Reminder Email
WIG State Agency Staff Interview Protocol
interviews
WIC State Agency Staff Interview Thank You Email and Follow-up
Questions
Study Descnption for WIC Stale Agencies
WIG Program Staff Experience Survey Invitation Email from 1he
WIG State
Mathematica Study Team
agency staff
participating in WIG Pmgram Staff Experience Survey Reminder Email
experience
WIG Program Staff Experience Survey
surveys
WIC Program Staff Experience Survey Thank You Email
Mathematica Study Team Request to WIC State Agencies for WIC
Program Staff Contact List for Experience Survey
Mathematica Study Team Request to WIC State Agencies for WIC
WICState
Participant Contact List for Experience Survey
agency staff
coordinating
Mathematica Study Team Request to WIC State agencies for WIC
&FMNPvendor/ouHetstafcontactlistfaexperiencesurvey
I
logistics
''<<l i1M,~M;
Appendix L.1
32
Appendix L.2
Appendix L.3
Appendixl.5
Appendli< F.3
Appendix L.6
Appendli<L.4
Appendix R.2
Appendix R.3
AppendixO
Appendix R.4
Appendix K.1
Appendix K.2
Appendix K.3
AppendixF.1
Appendix K.4
Appendix J
Appendix R.2
Appendix R.3
AppendixO
Appendix R.4
Appendix R.1
Appendix T.1
Appendix S.1
'"'t-'vc:s••u•.11.-,.•
Appendix I
WIC State Agency Webinarlnvitalion Email and Webinar
•$late, L11c.1, or T~1ia1 G~vernmentSup,T!ltal •Fi ,,. : ; 1/:Y ';. ';_>,f
COMBINED TOTAL
Sample
Size
4,100
Appendix
Appendix M.3
I
Number of
re■pondents
4,100
·~
32
Frequency
of re■pon ■e
1
t~;,~
I Hours per I
I Frequency
of
Number of
Non•
Total
burden
Grand Total
Burden
Estimate
(hours)
68
re■pondents reapon■e I re■pon■e■ I re■pon■e
0
0
•
0.0167
'·\~~•:rt::;>; ~1!2,?1-/f: }:tb1A~•fh>/ :-<~:r:::,;;: ;.#,,;g:;:;.:;;:x..~:r::>~mt:. :.·,:::;,»¥:•
Total
re■ pon■e■
re■ pon ■e
Total
Hours per
(hour■ )
4,100
0.0167
68
32
0.0167
0.5344
32
222
178
178
160
32
32
178
178
160
160
32
32
178
178
160
160
32
3.0167
0.0167
0.0167
1.0000
0.0167
0.0167
96.5344
2.9726
2.9726
160.0000
2.6720
0.5344
3,900
3,900
3,900
3,120
3,900
3,900
3,120
3,120
3900
15600
3120
3120
0.0167
0.0167
0.1670
0.0167
65.1300
260.5200
521.0400
52.1040
176
176
176
0.5167
132
132
132
132
132
132
396
398
396
132
176
132
176
1,300
1,300
1,300
1,040
(hour■ )
;j)f;~'!,
0.0167
44
44
18
18
3.0167
0.0167
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0167
0.735
97
4
3
160
0.0167
0.0167
0.0000
0.0000
65
261
521
52
90.9392
0.5167
91
0.2667
0.0167
1.0000
105.6132
6.6132
396.0000
0.2667
0.0167
1.0000
106
7
396
396
176
0.2667
0.0167
105.6132
2.9392
0.2667
0.0167
106
3
1,300
1,300
1,040
1,040
1300
5200
1040
1040
0.0167
0.0167
0.1670
0.0167
21.7100
86.8400
173.6800
17.3680
0.0167
0.0167
0.0000
0.0000
22
87
174
17
88
88
88
2.0000
176.0000
2.0000
176
88
88
88
2.0000
176.0000
2.0000
176
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88
88 I
88
?nMn
2.0000
2.0000
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89
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260
260
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32,102
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162,044
0.0000
5.8
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2024 / Notices
19:13 Oct 25, 2024
Respondent
Category
Total
burden
32,108
85491
EN28OC24.007</GPH>
85492
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2024 / Notices
Tameka Owens,
Acting Administrator and Assistant
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–25008 Filed 10–25–24; 8:45 am]
statement and/or any comments
received be sent via return email.
Requests should be emailed to
limaris.soto@usda.gov.
BILLING CODE 3410–30–C
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Significant
Cave Nomination Application
Forest Service, Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments
from all interested individuals and
organizations on the extension without
change to a currently approved
collection information collection,
Significant Cave Nominations under the
Federal Cave Resources Protection Act.
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing on or before December 27, 2024
to be assured of consideration.
Comments received after that date will
be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this
notice should be addressed to Limaris
Soto, Lands, Minerals, and Geology,
1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17,
Lakewood CO 80401. Comments also
may be submitted via facsimile to 303–
275–5122 or by email to limaris.soto@
usda.gov.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice may be made available to the
public through relevant websites and
upon request. For this reason, please do
not include in your comments
information of a confidential nature,
such as sensitive personal information
or proprietary information. If you send
an email comment, your email address
will be automatically captured and
included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public docket and made
available on the internet. Please note
that responses to this public comment
request containing any routine notice
about the confidentiality of the
communication will be treated as public
comments that may be made available to
the public notwithstanding the
inclusion of the routine notice.
The public may inspect the draft
supporting statement and/or comments
received at 1617 Cole Boulevard,
Building 17, Lakewood, CO 80401,
during normal business hours. Visitors
are encouraged to call ahead to 720–
827–8912 to facilitate entry to the
building. The public may request an
electronic copy of the draft supporting
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:13 Oct 25, 2024
Jkt 265001
Limaris Soto, Lands, Minerals, and
Geology, by phone at 720–827–8912 or
email to limaris.soto@usda.gov.
Individuals who use
telecommunications devices for the deaf
and hard of hearing may call 711 to
reach the Telecommunications Relay
Service, 24 hours a day, every day of the
year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Significant Cave Nomination
Application.
OMB Number: 0596–0244.
Expiration Date of Approval:
December 31, 2024.
Type of Request: Extension without
change to a currently approved
collection.
Abstract: The information covered in
this request applies to caves on Federal
lands administered by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service. The Forest Service proposes to
collect the information in this request in
accordance with the Federal Cave
Resources Protection Act (FCRPA) [Pub.
L. 100–691, 107 Stat. 4546] and
regulations at 36 CFR 290 (Cave
Resources Management) which require
the Secretary of Agriculture to identify
and protect significant caves on
National Forest System lands.
The Forest Service must collect this
information to comply with the FCRPA
(16 U.S.C. 4301–4310) and its
implementing regulations at 36 CFR 290
that contain criteria for the
identification of significant caves. The
information collection is also responsive
to requirements of the 36 CFR part
290—Cave Management regulations that
specify the process for nomination of
significant caves and assessment of
whether the listed criteria for a cave to
be considered significant have been met.
36 CFR 290.3(a) states that significant
cave nominations will be accepted by
the Forest Supervisor where the cave is
located.
The Forest Service uses the
information in a cave nomination to
determine if specified criteria are met
for the nominated cave to be listed as
significant in accordance with the
FCRPA and regulations at 36 CFR 290.3.
The information is necessary for full
compliance with agencies’
responsibilities to identify and protect
significant caves and their resources.
Nominations are voluntary. The
information collected in the Significant
Cave Nomination Worksheet includes:
• The name, address, and telephone
number of the individual or
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
organization submitting the nomination.
This allows us to confirm the source of
the information;
• The name of the cave, which is
necessary for the listing of caves and to
ensure there are no duplications;
• The location of the cave, which is
essential for verification, management,
and future planning purposes;
• The name of the agency and the
administrative unit, which is necessary
to ensure that the application is
forwarded to the appropriate agency
office;
• A discussion of how the cave meets
the criteria, which is the key aspect of
the nomination, and is used to
determine whether the cave should be
designated as significant;
• Studies, maps, research papers, and
other supporting documentation, which
are important in the significance
evaluation;
• The name, address, and telephone
number of the individual who is
knowledgeable about the resources in
the cave, which are necessary in case
the information in the nomination is
unclear or there is a need for additional
information to complete the evaluation;
• The date that the nomination is
submitted, which is essential for
tracking purposes; and
• The signature and title of the
individual submitting the nomination,
which is necessary to confirm that it is
an official nomination.
The Forest Service collects the
information from anyone who wishes to
nominate a cave to be considered
significant. Caves can be nominated by
the public, Forest Service partners,
other government agencies, and Forest
Service staff. The information collected
is used to determine whether a
nominated cave meets specified criteria
to be considered significant per the
FCRPA and 36 CFR 290.
Forest Service Manual 2880.43 states
that the Forest Supervisor must ensure
that all caves within their jurisdictions
are evaluated in accordance with the
FCRPA and 36 CFR 290 and make a
determination of significant caves
nominated for such designation. Under
the FCRPA the Secretary shall request
that the list of significant caves shall be
updated periodically, after consultation
with appropriate private sector interest,
including cavers. If agencies did not
collect cave nominations, they might
not become aware of potentially
significant caves’ existence or might
have insufficient information upon
which to base a judgment as to their
significance. As a result, it is likely that
agencies would not be able to comply
fully with their statutory responsibilities
to identify and protect significant caves
E:\FR\FM\28OCN1.SGM
28OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85488-85492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25008]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2024 /
Notices
[[Page 85488]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: WIC & FMNP Outreach,
Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on this proposed information collection. This collection is a new
collection. The purpose of this information collection is to provide
information on the implementation and effectiveness of modernization
projects across all 88 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) State agencies to help identify
successes, opportunities for improvement, and areas for additional
support from FNS to strengthen project implementation.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 27,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected].
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: Requests for additional information or
requests for copies of this information collection should be directed
to Carol Dreibelbis at [email protected] or 703-305-2161.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA),
which was signed into law in March 2021, provided USDA with $390
million and waiver authority for outreach, innovation, and program
modernization in WIC and the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
(FMNP). FNS is interested in understanding the implementation and
outcomes related to these modernization efforts.
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.
Title: WIC & FMNP Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization
Evaluation.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Number: 0584-NEW.
Expiration Date: Not Yet Determined.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental food, nutrition
education, and referrals to health and social services to pregnant and
postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are living in
households with low incomes and are at nutritional risk. The WIC
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides eligible WIC
participants with FMNP benefits, in addition to their regular WIC
benefits, which can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers,
farmers' markets, or roadside stands that have been approved by the WIC
State agency. While the benefits of participating in WIC have been well
documented, WIC continues to reach only about half of those eligible to
participate.\1\ WIC has relied on a traditional service delivery model
that includes potentially challenging requirements for participants--
such as regular in-person-only appointments to determine eligibility
and to continue receiving services; limited or no online or digital
services; and in-person shopping only. In an effort to improve service
delivery and permanently modernize WIC, the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) of 2021 provided FNS with $390 million and waiver authority to
support WIC modernization. Under ARPA, FNS supports WIC modernization
efforts by providing grants to all State agencies, offering waivers
that support modernization efforts, collaborating with partners via
cooperative agreements and contracts, and conducting projects. WIC
modernization efforts seek to improve the WIC participant experience,
reduce disparities in WIC service delivery, and increase WIC
participation and retention.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Kessler C., Bryant A., Munkacsy K., and Gray K. (2024).
National- and State-Level Estimates of the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Eligibility
and WIC Program Reach in 2022. Prepared by Insight Policy Research,
Contract No. 12319819A0005. Alexandria, VA: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support,
Project Officer: Grant Lovellette. Available online at:
www.fns.usda.gov/research-analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The WIC & FMNP Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation
(WIC modernization evaluation) will help FNS understand the
implementation and impacts of ARPA-funded projects and waivers to
inform current and future modernization efforts. The WIC modernization
evaluation has three components: an implementation study, a waiver
study, and an impact study. The implementation study will provide a
comprehensive understanding of project implementation while
accommodating variations in the timing of projects within different
program areas, implementation within and between State agencies, and
innovative approaches. The implementation study component will collect
a broad range of data from WIC State agencies, local agencies, clinics,
vendors and authorized outlets (including farmers, farmers' markets,
and roadside stands), and WIC participants. These data will provide
current and ongoing information about modernization efforts in all 88
WIC State agencies.
[[Page 85489]]
The waiver study component will provide an understanding of waiver
issuance and how State agencies used waivers. The waiver study will
rely on many of the same data sources as the implementation study,
especially the interviews with WIC State agencies. The study will also
collect information on whether and how unique waivers were implemented
by WIC State agencies to conduct the modernization projects.
The impact study component of the evaluation will measure the
impact of the WIC and FMNP modernization projects on participants
through key short-term and intermediate-term outcome measures,
including enrollment, participation, retention, benefit redemption,
participant experience (e.g., satisfaction), and disparities in program
delivery. It will address whether the modernization projects improved
these key outcome measures and how changes in these outcomes were
related to the number and type of modernization projects. While most
outcomes will be measured with administrative data (collected under
existing projects), the impact study will also use surveys to learn
about the experiences and satisfaction of WIC program staff, vendor/
authorized outlet staff, and participants with the changes to the WIC
program because of the modernization activities. In addition, the
impact study will rely on information from the implementation and
waiver studies regarding where and when projects and waivers were
implemented.
Affected Public: Identified respondent groups include the
following:
1. State, local, and tribal governments: WIC State agency staff in
all 88 State agencies and local agency and clinic staff in every State
agency jurisdiction.
2. Business (profit, non-profit, or farm) respondents: WIC and FMNP
vendors and authorized outlet staff in every State agency jurisdiction.
3. Individual/household respondents: WIC participants in every
State agency jurisdiction.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of
respondents is 186,608. Of the 186,608 respondents to be contacted,
24,564 are expected to be responsive and 162,044 are expected to be
nonresponsive. The breakout is as follows:
1. 5,938 State, local, and tribal government staff: Of the 132
State agency staff contacted for an interview, 132 are expected to be
responsive. Of the 222 local agency and clinic staff contacted for a
case study interview, 160 are expected to be responsive. Of the 5,200
State agency, local agency, and clinic staff contacted for a survey,
4,160 are expected to be responsive. Of the 88 State agency staff
invited for a webinar, 88 are expected to be responsive. Of the 176
State agency staff invited for a data collection planning meeting, 176
are expected to be responsive. Of the 88 State agency staff asked to
support data collection, 88 are expected to be responsive. Of the 32
local agency staff invited for a data collection planning meeting and
support data collection, 32 are expected to be responsive.
2. 4,200 business respondents: Of the 100 WIC vendor/outlet staff
contacted for a case study interview, 68 are expected to be responsive.
Of the 4,100 WIC vendor/outlet staff contacted for a survey, 3,280 are
expected to be responsive.
3. 176,470 individual respondents: Of the 920 WIC participants
contacted for a case study focus group, 580 are expected to be
responsive. Of the 175,550 WIC participants contacted for a survey,
15,800 are expected to be responsive.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.2 across the entire
collection, including respondents who receive communications but do not
provide data for the study. The breakout is as follows:
1. State agency staff: 6.3 responses per respondent. 132 State
agency staff will be asked to complete a virtual interview (each year,
for three years) and 1,300 State agency staff will be asked to complete
a survey. Prior to data collection, they will receive advanced
communications about the study. 88 State agency staff will be invited
to attend a webinar. 176 State agency staff will be invited to attend a
planning meeting. 88 State agency staff will be asked to support data
collection.
2. Local agency and clinic staff: 6.6 responses per respondent. 222
local agency and clinic staff will be asked to complete an in-person
interview and 3,900 will be asked to complete a survey. Prior to data
collection, they will receive advanced communications about the study.
32 local agency staff will be asked to attend a planning meeting and
support data collection.
3. WIC vendor/outlet staff: 10.8 responses per respondent. 100
vendor/outlet staff will be asked to complete an in-person case study
interview and 4,100 will be asked to complete a survey. Prior to data
collection, they will receive advanced communications about the study.
4. Individual respondents: 9.3 responses per respondent. 920 WIC
participants will be asked to participate in a case study focus group
and 175,550 will be asked to complete a survey. Prior to data
collection, they will receive advanced communications about the study.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: Including respondents who receive
communications but do not provide data for the study, there are an
estimated 1,717,385 total responses and 572,462 annual responses. This
is an estimated annual average, as data collection activities will take
place over the course of three years: 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Estimated Time per Response: The estimated time of responses varies
from 1 minute (0.0167 hours) for receipt of a text or email to 3.0167
hours for local agency staff planning and supporting data collection
for case studies. Including respondents who receive communications but
do not provide data for the study, the estimated average response time
is about 1.2 minutes (0.02 hours).
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Including burden on
respondents who receive communications but do not provide data for the
study, there is an estimated 32,108 hours of total burden and 10,703
hours of annual burden on respondents. This is an estimated annual
average, as data collection activities will take place over the course
of three years: 2025, 2026, and 2027. Please see the table below for
estimated total annual burden for each type of respondent.
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
[[Page 85490]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28OC24.006
[[Page 85491]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28OC24.007
[[Page 85492]]
Tameka Owens,
Acting Administrator and Assistant Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-25008 Filed 10-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-C
