Data collection will help FNS assess the feasibility of expanding the use of computer matching to certify and verify the income- eligibility of children for free and reduced-price school meals. The core aims of the study are to describe current direct certification processes and procedures employed by States and LEAs; explore the relationship between these methods and overall direct certification performance measures; and identify steps for continuous improvement in data-matching techniques and tools to increase matching rates.
This is a reinstatement with changes of a previously approved data collection that will build on the data collection for "Feasibility of Computer Matching in the National School Lunch Program" (OMB Number 0584-0529). In contrast to the original data collection effort that focused solely on State-level respondents, the proposed data collection will expand the study to all districts in district-matching States, of which there are approximately 6,265. In addition, the revised collection will include in-person interviews of State and local staff in the seven in-depth study States and collection of unmatched SNAP records and categorically eligible NSLP applications. Such an expansion of the data collection effort will significantly increase the number of respondents from whom data will be collected (6,513 versus 225). As a result, the burden hours for this revised data collection are 3,727.74, compared with 144.25 for the previously approved collection.
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.