### 30848 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 103 / Thursday, May 29, 2014 / Notices

E XHIBIT 

### 1—E STIMATED 

### B URDEN 

### H OURS 

### O VER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Hours per response Total burden hours

Mail/email * ....................................................................................................... 15,000 1 15/6 0 3,750 Telephone ........................................................................................................ 600 1 40/60 40 0 Web-based ....................................................................................................... 15,000 1 10/60 2,500 Focus Groups .................................................................................................. 1,500 1 2.0 3,000 In-person .......................................................................................................... 600 1 50/60 500

Total .......................................................................................................... 32,700 na na 10, 150
* May include telephone non-response follow-up in which case the burden will not change.



### E XHIBIT 

### 2—E STIMATED 

### C OST 

### B URDEN 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate * Total cost burden

Mail/email ......................................................................................................... 15,000 3,750$33.51 $25,663 Telephone ........................................................................................................ 600 400 33.51 3,404 Web-based ....................................................................................................... 15,000 2,500 33 .51 83,775 Focus Groups .................................................................................................. 1,500 3,000 33.51 100,530 In-person .......................................................................................................... 600 500 33.5 1 16,755

Total .......................................................................................................... 32,700 10,150 na340,127
* Based upon the average wages for 29–000 (Healthcare Practitioner ‘‘National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the Uni ted States, May 2009,’’ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Request for Comments

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and healthcare information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) of information; (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 upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency’s subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Dated: May 21, 2014. Richard Kronick,

Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–12360 Filed 5–28–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4160–90–M DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND**  **HUMAN SERVICES**

**Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality** 

**Agency Information Collection; Activities: Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request**

**AGENCY :**  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: ‘‘Generic Clearance for Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

**DATES :**  Comments on this notice must be received by July 28, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written comments should be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov

.

Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AI–IRQ Reports Clearance Officer.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Proposed Project

Generic Clearance for Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) requests that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reinstate generic pre-testing clearance 0935–0124 for three years to facilitate AHRQ’s efforts to (1) employ evaluation-type methods and techniques to improve AHRQ’s current data collection and estimation procedures, (2) develop new collections and procedures, including toolkits, and (3) revise existing collections and procedures. AHRQ uses techniques to simplify data collection and estimation procedures, reduce respondent burden, and improve efficiencies to meet the needs of individuals and small business respondents who may have reduced budgets and staff. AHRQ believes that developing, testing, and evaluating data collection and estimation procedures using survey methods and othertechniques in anticipation of agencysponsored studies can improve its


### 30849 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 103 / Thursday, May 29, 2014 / Notices

information collection efforts and the products it develops and allow AHRQ to be more responsive to fast-changing developments in the healthcare research field.

This clearance request is limited to research on data collection, toolkit development, and estimation procedures and reports and does not extend to the collection of data for public release or policy formation. The current clearance was granted on May 27th, 2011 and expires on May 31st,
2014.

This generic clearance will allow AHRQ to draft and test toolkits, survey instruments and other data collection and estimation procedures more quickly and with greater lead time, thereby managing project time more efficiently and improving the quality of the data AHRQ collects. In some instances, the ability to test and evaluate toolkits, data collection and estimation procedures in anticipation of work or early in a project may result in the decision not to proceed with additional activities, thereby saving both public and private resources and effectively eliminating respondent burden.

Many of the tools AHRQ develops are made available to the private sector to assist in improving health care quality. The health and health care environment changes rapidly and requires a quick response from AHRQ to provide refined tools. This generic clearance will facilitate AHRQ’s response to this changing environment.

These preliminary research activities will not be used by AHRQ to regulate or sanction its customers. They will be entirely voluntary and the confidentiality of respondents and their responses will be preserved. Proposed information collections submitted under this generic clearance will be reviewed and acted upon by OMB within 14 days of submission to OMB.

Method of Collection

The information collected through preliminary research activities will be used by AHRQ to employ techniques to (1) improve AHRQ’s current data collection and estimation procedures, (2) develop new collections and procedures, including toolkits, and (3) revise existing collections and procedures in anticipation or in response to changes in the health or health care field. The end result will be improvement in AHRQ’s data collections and procedures and the quality of data collected, a reduction or minimization of respondent burden, increased agency efficiency, and improved responsiveness to the public. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

Exhibit 1 shows the estimated burden hours, over the full 3 years of this clearance, for the respondents’ time to participate in the research activities that may be conducted under this generic clearance. Mail surveys will be conducted with about 6,000 persons (2,000 per year for 3 years) and are estimated to average 20 minutes. Mail surveys may also be sent to respondents via email, and may include a telephone non-response follow-up. Telephone non-response follow-up for mailed surveys is not counted as a telephone survey in Exhibit 1. Not more than 600 persons, over 3 years, will participate in telephone surveys that will take about 40 minutes. Web-based surveys will be conducted with no more than 3,000 persons and will require no more than 10 minutes to complete. About 1,500 persons will participate in focus groups which may last up to two hours, while in-person interviews will be conducted with 600 persons and will take about 50 minutes. Automated data collection will be conducted for about 1,500 persons and could take up to 1 hour. Cognitive testing will be conducted with about 600 persons and is estimated to take 1 1 ⁄ 2 hours to complete. The total burden over 3 years is estimated to be 8,900 hours (about 2,967 hours per year).

Exhibit 2 shows the estimated cost burden over 3 years, based on the respondents’ time to participate in these research activities. The total cost burden is estimated to be $298,239.



### E XHIBIT 

### 1—E STIMATED 

### B URDEN 

### H OURS 

### O VER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Hours per response Total burden hours

Mail/email * ....................................................................................................... 6,000 1 20/602,000 Telephone ........................................................................................................ 600 1 40/60 40 0 Web-based ....................................................................................................... 3,000 1 10/60 5 00 Focus Groups .................................................................................................. 1,500 1 2.0 3,000 In-person .......................................................................................................... 600 1 1.0 60 0 Automated ** .................................................................................................... 1,500 1 1.0 1,50 0 Cognitive Testing *** ........................................................................................ 600 1 1.5 900

Totals ........................................................................................................ 13,800 na na 8,90 0

* May include telephone non-response follow-up in which case the burden will not change ** May include testing of database software, CAPI software or other automated technologies. *** May include cognitive interviews for questionnaire or toolkit development, or ‘‘think aloud’’ testing of prototype Web sites

.


### E XHIBIT 

### 2—E STIMATED 

### C OST 

### B URDEN 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate * Total cost burden

Mail/email ......................................................................................................... 6,000 2,000 33.51 67,020 Telephone ........................................................................................................ 600 400 33.51 13,404 Web-based ....................................................................................................... 3,000 500 33.51 16,755 Focus Groups .................................................................................................. 1,500 3,000 33.51 100,530 In-person .......................................................................................................... 600 600 33.5 1 20,106 Automated ........................................................................................................ 1,500 1,500 33 .51 50,265 Cognitive Testing ............................................................................................. 600 900 33.51 30, 159


### 30850 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 103 / Thursday, May 29, 2014 / Notices

E XHIBIT 

### 2—E STIMATED 

### C OST 

### B URDEN 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

### —Continued

Type of information collection Number of respondents Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate * Total cost burden

Totals ........................................................................................................ 13,800 8,900 na 2 98,239
* Based upon the average wages for 29–000 (Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations), ‘‘National Compensation Survey: O ccupational Wages in the United States, May 2009,’’ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Request for Comments

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and healthcare information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) of information; (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 upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency’s subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record. Dated: May 21, 2014. Richard Kronick,

Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–12359 Filed 5–28–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4160–90–M**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES** 

**Administration for Children and Families** 

**Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request** 

Title: Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System for Title IV– B and Title IV–E (AFCARS).

OMB No.: 0970–0422. Description: The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) is mandated by 42 U.S.C. 679. The regulation at 45 CFR 1355 sets forth the requirements of section 479 of the Social Security Act for the collection of uniform, reliable information on children who are under the responsibility of the State or Tribal title IV–B/IV–E agency for placement, care, and adoption. Effective October 1, 2009, section 479B(b) of the Act authorizes direct Federal funding of Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia that choose to operate a foster care, adoption assistance and, at Tribal option, a kinship guardianship assistance program under title IV–E of the Act. The Federal regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 were amended as part of an Interim Final Rule published January 6, 2012 to apply the same regulatory requirements for data collection and reporting to a Tribal title IV–E agency as are applied to a State title IV–E agency.

The data collected will inform State/ Tribal/Federal policy decisions, program management, and responses to Congressional and Departmental inquiries. Specifically, the data are used for short/long-term budget projections, trend analysis, child and family service reviews, and to target areas for improved technical assistance. The data will provide information about foster care placements, adoptive parents, length of time in care, delays in termination of parental rights and placement for adoption.

Respondents: Title IV–E State and Tribal Child Welfare Agencies.



### A NNUAL 

### B URDEN 

### E STIMATES

Instrument Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden hours per response Total burden hours

AFCARS .......................................................................................................... 72 2 1,786 257, 184

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 257,184.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above. Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 370 L’Enfant Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. Email address: infocollection@ acf.hhs.gov. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection.

The Department specifically requests comments 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; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Robert Sargis, Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–12405 Filed 5–28–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4184–01–P**