81 FR 49233 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 144 (July 27, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49233-49234]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17720]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

    Periodically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration (SAMHSA) will publish a summary of information 
collection requests under OMB review, in compliance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these 
documents, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-1243.

Project: SAMHSA SOAR Web-Based Data Form (OMB No. 0930-0329)--REVISION

    In 2009 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services established a Technical Assistance Center to assist in the 
implementation of the SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) 
effort in all states. The primary objective of SOAR is to improve the 
allowance rate for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability 
benefits for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, 
and who have a serious mental illness.
    During the SOAR training, the importance of keeping track of SSI/
SSDI applications through the process is stressed. In response to 
requests from states implementing SOAR, the Technical Assistance 
Center, under SAMHSA's direction, developed a web-based data form that 
case managers can use to track the progress of submitted applications, 
including decisions

[[Page 49234]]

received from SSA either on initial application or on appeal. This 
password-protected web-based data form is hosted on the SOAR Web site 
(https://soartrack.prainc.com). Use of this form is completely 
voluntary.
    In addition, data from the web-based form can be compiled into 
reports on decision results and the use of SOAR core components, such 
as the SSA-1696 Appointment of Representative, which allows SSA to 
communicate directly with the case manager assisting with the 
application. These reports will be reviewed by agency directors, SOAR 
state-level leads, and the national SOAR Technical Assistance Center to 
quantify the success of the effort overall and to identify areas where 
additional technical assistance is needed.
    The changes to this form include questions on military discharge 
status, VA disability compensation, applicant earnings per month, 
number of consultative exams ordered, and whether access to benefits 
facilitated housing. Additionally, we added three questions to the user 
registration form that include county, funding source, and SOAR 
training completed.
    The estimated response burden has not changed and is as follows:

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                                                                        Number of      Responses per                       Hours per
                         Information source                            respondents       respondent    Total responses      response       Total hours
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SOAR Data Form.....................................................             700                3             2100              .25              525
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    Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed 
information collection should be sent by August 26, 2016 to the SAMHSA 
Desk Officer at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). To ensure timely receipt of 
comments, and to avoid potential delays in OMB's receipt and processing 
of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, commenters are encouraged 
to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected]. Although commenters are encouraged to send 
their comments via email, commenters may also fax their comments to: 
202-395-7285. Commenters may also mail them to: Office of Management 
and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, New Executive 
Office Building, Room 10102, Washington, DC 20503.

Summer King,
Statistician.
[FR Doc. 2016-17720 Filed 7-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4162-20-P