82 FR 12981 - 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 82, Issue 44 (March 8, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12981-12982]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04490]


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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 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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                                                                              Responses
                           Form name                             Number of       per         Total      Hours per    Total hour     Hourly    Total hour
                                                                respondents   respondent   responses     response      burden      wage 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
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................          775  ...........        2,175  ...........        562.50  ..........      11,250
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[[Page 12982]]

    Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed 
information collection should be sent by April 7, 2017 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. 2017-04490 Filed 3-7-17; 8:45 am]
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