82 FR 29866 - Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 125 (June 30, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29866-29867]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13726]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[OMB No.: 0970-0422]


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

    Title: Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System for title 
IV-B and title IV-E (AFCARS).
    Description: The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting 
System (AFCARS) is mandated by 42 U.S.C. 679. The regulation at 45 CFR 
1355 sets forth the requirements of section 479 of the Social Security 
Act for the collection of uniform, reliable information on children who 
are under the responsibility of the State or Tribal title IV-B/IV-E 
agency for placement, care, and adoption. Effective October 1, 2009, 
section 479B(b) of the Act authorizes direct Federal funding of Indian 
Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia that choose to 
operate a foster care, adoption assistance and, at Tribal option, a 
kinship guardianship assistance program under title IV-E of the Act. 
The data collected per the requirements at 45 CFR 1355.40 will end 
September 30, 2019. On October 1, 2019 the data collection will be 
replaced by the requirements in 45 CFR 1355.41--44, as reflected in the 
final rule published in the Federal Register on December 14, 2016 (81 
FR 90524).
    The data collected will inform State/Tribal/Federal policy 
decisions, program management, and responses to Congressional and 
Departmental inquiries. Specifically, the data are used for short/long-
term budget projections, trend analysis, child and family service 
reviews, and to target areas for improved technical assistance. The 
data will provide information about foster care placements, adoptive 
parents, length of time in care, delays in termination of parental 
rights and placement for adoption.
    Respondents: Title IV-E State and Tribal Child Welfare Agencies.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                   Instrument                        Number of     responses per     hours per     Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent       response          hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFCARS..........................................              59               2           2,188         258,215
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[[Page 29867]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 258,215.
    In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chap 35), the Administration for 
Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific 
aspects of the information collection described above. Copies of the 
proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be 
forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW., 
Washington DC 20201. Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. Email 
address: [email protected]. All requests should be identified 
by the title of the information collection.
    The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is 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) 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. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.

Robert Sargis,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-13726 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4184-01-P