The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) requests emergency clearance to collect information on the number of individuals in subsidized employment as a result of the TANF Emergency Fund. The TANF Emergency Fund was authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), and this legislation provided up to $5 billion to help States, Territories, and Tribes in fiscal year (FY) 2009 and FY 2010 that have an increase in assistance caseloads or in certain types of expenditures.
Many jurisdictions are implementing subsidized employment programs as a result of the availability of this new funding, and there is substantial interest from the White House, OMB, the Congress, and the media in understanding how this funding has been used. There is also significant public interest in the number of individuals that are being placed in subsidized employment as a result of the Recovery Act. This information will help the agency as well as the public better understand how jurisdictions are using the money they are awarded through the Emergency Fund.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) requests emergency clearance to collect information on the number of individuals in subsidized employment as a result of the TANF Emergency Fund. The TANF Emergency Fund was authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), and this legislation provided up to $5 billion to help States, Territories, and Tribes in fiscal year (FY) 2009 and FY 2010 that have an increase in assistance caseloads or in certain types of expenditures.
Many jurisdictions are implementing subsidized employment programs as a result of the availability of this new funding, and there is substantial interest from the White House, OMB, the Congress, and the media in understanding how this funding has been used. There is also significant public interest in the number of individuals that are being placed in subsidized employment as a result of the Recovery Act. This information will help the agency as well as the public better understand how jurisdictions are using the money they are awarded through the Emergency Fund.
As a result, we are seeking emergency clearance to begin a voluntary data collection to gather information on the number of individuals in subsidized employment funded in whole or in part by the TANF Emergency Fund or that were included in the calculation of a TANF Emergency Fund award. We are requesting emergency clearance as the authorization for this program expires at the end of FY 2010, creating an extremely brief window of opportunity for data collection.
Given this Administration's commitment to transparency and accountability, it would create public harm if the results of this program were not captured and quantified. The first data collection is due August 14, 2010/ Failing to collect information on subsidized employment funded through use of the TANF Emergency Fund would prevent the Administration, the Congress, and the public from obtaining meaningful information about the program.
Therefore, this collection of information is needed prior to the time allowed by the use of normal clearance procedures and is essential to the mission of the agency. ACF requests a determination by June 30, 2010 under Sec. 1320.13 of the Paperwork Reduction Act regulation.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form OFA-200 TANF Emergency Fund Subsidized Employment Report, Form OFA 200
PRA_Supporting_Statement_Subsidized_Employment_052510[1].doc
TANF Emergency Fund Subsidized Employment Report, Form OFA 200