[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11196-11197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6026]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on proposed a collection of information. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice 
seeks comments concerning information collected under Section 416 
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as 
amended, to award grants to States to provide disaster mental health 
services.
    Supplementary Information. The Crisis Counseling Assistance and 
Training Program was established to provide supplemental funding to 
States for short-term crisis counseling services to eligible victims of 
Presidentially declared disasters. The information collected is used by 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine if funds are 
properly used, if the State' plan of services adequately addresses the 
mental health needs of the disaster survivors, and if the funds are 
supplemental to State and local resources as required by the Stafford 
Act. Information collection requirements are outlined in 44 CFR 206.171 
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training.
    Collection of Information.
    Title. Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training.
    Type of Information Collection. Extension.
    OMB Number: 3067-0166.
    Form Numbers. SF 424, SF 269.
    Abstract. Information collected under the Crisis Counseling 
Assistance and Training Program will be used by the FEMA to award 
grants to States to provide crisis counseling services. The information 
is collected in several forms: applications, quarterly reports, and 
financial reports.
    The immediate services application is made by letter which includes 
a short description of the State or private mental health agency, their 
existing resources, and a justification for Federal assistance; the 
geographical area of the disaster where services will be provided; a 
brief plan of services indicating how the disaster victims and 
emergency responders mental health needs will be met; and a budget 
including an identification of the resources the State and local 
governments will commit, the number of staff and their salaries, the 
funding levels for different agencies if more than one are involved, 
and an estimate of the Federal assistance requested.
    The regular program using SF 424, requires information similar to 
but more comprehensive than the immediate services application 
including: an estimate of the number of people affected by the disaster 
needing crisis counseling assistance; how the estimate was made; the 
extent of physical, psychological, and social problems observed; the 
types of mental health problems encountered by the victims and other 
relevant information; the length of time needed to administer the 
program and meet the mental health needs of those affected; and a 
detailed plan of services.
    The plan of services should include: a time-phased implementation 
plan and time schedule for the hiring and training of staff and the 
services to be provided; a description of the types of services that 
will be offered and the length of time they will be available; a 
description of the organizational structure of the program; a 
description of the training program; a description of the facilities to 
be used; and a detailed budget.
    Quarterly and final progress reports in narrative form and 
financial reports using SF 269 are required.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours. 4,896.

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                                                                                        Hours per               
                                             Respondents    Frequency     Responses     response     Total hours
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Immediate Services Program:                                                                                     
    Application...........................            16             1            16            30           480
    Final Report..........................            16             1            16            18           288
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        Subtotal..........................            16             1            32       Avg. 24           768
    Recordkeeping.........................            16  ............  ............       Avg. 24           384
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        Total.............................            16             1            32  ............         1,152
Regular Services Program:                                                                                       
Application...............................            12             1            12            80           960
    Program Reports.......................            12             2            24            40           960
    Program Final Report..................            12             1            12            50           600
    Final Expenditure Report (SF 269).....            12             1            12            50           600
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        Subtotal..........................            12             5            60       Avg. 52         3,120
    Recordkeeping.........................            12  ............  ............       Avg. 52           624
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        Total.............................            12             5            60  ............         3,744
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    Estimated Cost. $76,228.

Comments

    Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed 
data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the

[[Page 11197]]

burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. Comments should be received within 60 days of 
the date of this notice.

ADDRESSEE: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 311, Washington, DC 20472. 
Telephone number (202) 646-2625. FAX number (202) 646-3524.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Diana Nordboe at (202) 646-
4026 for additional information. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 
for copies of the proposed collection of information.

    Dated: March 3, 1997.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 97-6026 Filed 3-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P