[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 8, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26072-26073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2279]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request: Direct Verification Pilot Study

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 for purposes of the National 
School Lunch Program's Direct Verification Pilot Study.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before 
July 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to: Steven Carlson, Acting Director, Office of 
Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 
22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of 
Steven Carlson at (703) 305-2576 or via e-mail to Steven.Carl 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8efde1e0cee8e0fda0fbfdeaefa0e9e1f8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3645595876505845184345525718515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 1014.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Steven 
Carlson (703) 305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Direct Verification Evaluation Study.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Form Number: ``N/A''.
    Expiration Date: To be determined.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 
(Pub. L. 108-265) expanded authorization for local education agencies 
(LEAs) to directly verify eligibility for the National School Lunch 
Program (NSLP) without contacting households, using data from other 
means-tested programs such as the Food Stamp Program (FSP), Temporary 
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Food Distribution Program on 
Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Medicaid, and the State Children's Health 
Insurance Program (SCHIP). Direct verification is intended to reduce 
burden on households and LEAs, improve program operations, and reduce 
the number of children losing NSLP benefits due to household non-
response to verification requests.
    In an effort to understand the methods of direct verification and 
their effectiveness, the Direct Verification Pilot Study will 
systematically collect data from eight States. Currently, there is 
limited information on the feasibility and effectiveness of direct 
verification. The information to be collected is necessary to 
understand and assess the effectiveness of direct verification; compare 
different implementation methods; and inform States about best 
practices and cost savings.
    Respondents: State Child Nutrition Agency officials, State Medicaid 
Agency officials, and Local Education Agency school food service 
directors.
    Estimate of Burden: State Child Nutrition Agency Initial Interview: 
Public burden for respondents of the State Child Nutrition Agency 
initial interview is estimated at 210 minutes (3.5 hours) for 8 
respondents for one response each.
    State Child Nutrition Agency Follow-up Interview: Public burden for 
respondents of the State Child Nutrition Agency follow-up interview is 
estimated at 150 minutes (2.5 hours) for 8 respondents for one response 
each.
    State Medicaid Agency Interview: Public burden for respondents of 
the State Medicaid Agency Interview is estimated at 75 minutes (1.25 
hours) for 8 respondents for one response each.
    State Medicaid Agency Follow-up Interview: Public burden for 
respondents of the State Medicaid Agency follow-up interview is 
estimated

[[Page 26073]]

at 75 minutes (1.25 hours) for 8 respondents for one response each.
    Local Education Agency Administrative Data Collection: Public 
burden for respondents of the Local Education Agency administrative 
data collection is estimated at 30 minutes (0.5 hours) for 240 
respondents for one response each.
    Local Education Agency Survey: Public burden for respondents of the 
LEA survey is estimated at 20 minutes (0.33 hours) for 240 respondents 
for one response each.
    Local Education Agency Interview: Public burden for respondents of 
the LEA Agency Interview is estimated at 60 minutes (1 hour) for 40 
respondents for one response each.

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                                                                      No. of
                   Description                        No. of       responses per     Hours per      Total hours
                                                    respondents     respondent       response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Child Nutrition Agency--Initial Interview.               8               1           3,500           28.00
State Child Nutrition Agency--Follow-up                        8               1           2,500           20.00
 Interview......................................
State Medicaid Agency Interview.................               8               1           1,250           10.00
State Medicaid Agency Follow-up Interview.......               8               1           1,250           10.00
Local Ed. Agency Administrative Data Collection.             240               1           0.500          120.00
Local Education Agency Survey...................             240               1           0.333           80.00
Local Education Agency Survey Interview.........              40               1           1.000           40.00
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................             256  ..............  ..............          308.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 256.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.2 (average).
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 552.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.56.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 308 hours.

    Dated: April 27, 2007.
Nancy Mont Johner,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2279 Filed 5-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M


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