Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129.

Comments are invited 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) 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 the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Recruitment and Retention Assistance Application (OMB No. 0915-0230)—Revision

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) of the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), HRSA, is committed to improving the health of the Nation's underserved by uniting communities in need with caring health professionals and by supporting communities' efforts to build better systems of care.

The Application for NHSC Recruitment and Retention Assistance submitted by sites or clinicians request information on the practice site, sponsoring agency, recruitment contact, staffing levels, service users, site's 5-year infant mortality or low birth rate averages, and next nearest site. Assistance in completing the application may be obtained through the appropriate State Primary Care Offices, State Primary Care Associations and HRSA field offices. The information on the application is used for determining eligibility of sites and to verify the need for NHSC providers. Sites must submit an application annually or when they need a provider.

Estimates of annualized reporting burden are as follows:

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.