[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31618-31619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14673]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its 
request for approval of a new information collection from 
representatives of communities served by organizations that conduct 
community service activities under the sponsorship of Corporation 
grants. This information will be used by the Corporation to evaluate 
the nature and effectiveness of its national service programs.
    Copies of the proposed information collection request may be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section by August 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Corporation for National and Community 
Service Attn: Marcia Scott, Office of Evaluation, 1201 New York Avenue, 
N.W., 9th floor, Washington, D.C. 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Scott, (202) 606-5000, ext. 
100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested 
in comments which:
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
    <bullet> Evaluate 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;
    <bullet> Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
    <bullet> Propose ways to 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 submissions of responses.

[[Page 31619]]

Background:

    The Corporation for National Service has the responsibility to 
evaluate the effectiveness of its program. The Corporation's major 
initiative is AmeriCorps, the national service program funded at $360 
million annually. While the primary emphasis of AmeriCorps is on 
providing services to communities and other beneficiaries, of key 
importance is participant development. AmeriCorps includes the State 
and National program and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) 
program. The objectives of this study are to describe the changes in 
those outcomes over time; to identify factors explaining variation in 
outcomes at different stages of time; and to identify relationships 
between selected program features and member outcomes. Outcome domains 
will include civic engagement, educational skill aspiration and 
achievements, employment skill aspiration and achievements, and life 
skills.
    The Longitudinal Study of AmeriCorps Member Outcomes is designed to 
assess the effectiveness of AmeriCorps programs in meeting these 
objectives--member development outcomes. Previously, the Corporation 
received OMB approval (OMB # 3045-0060, expires September 30, 2002 and 
#3045-0070, expires September 31, 2003) to launch three rounds of 
surveys of AmeriCorps members and their counterparts in comparison 
groups.

Current Action

    The Corporation seeks approval to continue to study the impact of 
AmeriCorps*State and National and AmeriCorps*NCCC. This is a request to 
add another round of data collection to the study. The purpose of this 
additional round of data collection is to supplement data collected at 
baseline and post-program and collect additional information about 
participation in service prior to AmeriCorps, and the decision-making 
process concerning enrolling or not enrolling in AmeriCorps. In 
addition, the survey will collect details about the AmeriCorps 
experience of members, and employment and educational experiences of 
individuals in the comparison group in the year after they considered 
joining, but did not actually join AmeriCorps. Analysis of baseline 
data collected in the initial round of surveys raised questions about 
participants' motivations about, and previous involvement in, community 
service. Data collected in the supplemental survey will allow us to 
address those concerns.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: The Longitudinal Research on Member Outcomes.
    OMB Number: #3045-0070.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: AmeriCorps members, comparison group individuals.
    Total Respondents: 1600 (800 AmeriCorps members; 800 Comparison 
group members).
    Frequency: One time.
    Average Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 800 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: June 6, 2001.
David Rymph,
Acting Director, Department of Evaluation and Effective Practices.
[FR Doc. 01-14673 Filed 6-11-01; 8:45 am]
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