Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies Project

OMB Control No: 0970-0545	ICR Reference No: 202604-0970-008
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202506-0970-016
Agency/Subagency: HHS/ACF	Agency Tracking No: OFA
Title: Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies Project
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 04/29/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	15 Months From Approved	05/31/2026
Responses	160	20,597
Time Burden (Hours)	133	3,232
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeks approval to continue one data collection activity for the Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies (NextGen) Project. ACF has spent decades studying strategies to help people find and keep jobs. Findings from these studies have been mixed, revealing variation in what works for whom and the duration and magnitude of impacts. Some studies have also demonstrated that certain programs are less accessible to individuals with complex challenges, such as low educational attainment or involvement with the criminal justice system, due to the program’s eligibility requirements. The ongoing NextGen Project is intended to build on the findings from these past and ongoing studies by evaluating the effectiveness, implementation, and cost of innovative employment programs for people with complex barriers to employment. The current data collection extension request is necessary to finish collecting outcomes data from NextGen study participants 18-21 months after program enrollment, which is critical to evaluating the programs’ effectiveness at the time outcomes are likely to emerge.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 115 - 31 413 Name of Law: Social Security Act, as amended by the FY 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 9282	02/25/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 23100	04/29/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Baseline survey & Identifying and contact information – participants Baseline survey & Identifying and contact information –staff Cost workbook – staff First follow-up survey – participants In-depth participant interviews – participants Program leadership survey – program leaders Second follow-up survey – participants Semi-structured employer discussion guide – employers Semi-structured program discussion guide - program staff and providers Semi-structured program discussion guide -program supervisors and partners Semi-structured program discussion guide –program leaders Service receipt tracking – staff Staff characteristics survey – staff

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	160	20,597	0	-20,437	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	133	3,232	0	-3,099	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: This is an extension to an approved information collection. The estimated time per response for the second follow-up survey remains the same. The number of respondents has been updated to reflect the estimated number of respondents over the one-year extension period. Burden associated with completed data collection has been removed.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $780,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Yes

Agency Contact: Molly Buck 202 205-4724 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 04/29/2026

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