81 FR 91943 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 243 (December 19, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 91943-91944]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30431]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed 
collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish periodic summaries of 
proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects 
or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the 
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-1243.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of 
information are 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) 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 respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

Proposed 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 created 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 serious mental illnesses.
    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 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 Part I of 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. There are no proposed 
changes to Part I of this form.
    The proposed additions to create a new Part II of this form include 
qualitative (open-ended) questions on annual SOAR accomplishments, 
identified challenges and collaborations. There are 8 new questions 
that represent new initiatives, challenges, funding sources, steering 
committees and training. There is also an additional open-ended 
question on collaborations with 8 potentially applicable areas (e.g. 
Veterans, justice-involved persons, hospitals) that could require a 
response. The addition of Part II is for annual reporting by state and 
local leads only.
    The estimated response burden is as follows:

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                                             Number of     Responses per       Total         Hours per      Total hour      Hourly wage     Total hour
                Form name                   respondents     respondent       responses       response         burden           cost          cost ($)
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SOAR Data Form (Part I).................             700               3           2,100             .25             525             $20         $10,500
Annual Report Questions (Part II).......              75               1              75               1           37.50              20             750
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    TOTAL...............................             775  ..............           2,175  ..............          562.50  ..............          11,250
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[[Page 91944]]

    Send comments to Summer King, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 
Room 15E-57B, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 OR email her a 
copy at [email protected]. Written comments should be received 
by February 17, 2017.

Summer King,
Statistician.
[FR Doc. 2016-30431 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4162-20-P