State Plan for Grants to States for Refugee Resettlement
Supporting Statement
A. Justification
1. Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary.
In order for a State to receive refugee resettlement assistance funds, it must submit a plan that meets the requirements of title IV of the Refugee Act and 45 CFR Part 400.
2. Purpose and Use of the Information Collection
The plan assures ORR that the State is capable of administering refugee assistance and coordinating employment and other social services for eligible caseloads in conformity with specific requirements (see #1).
3. Use of Improved Information Technology and Burden Reduction
Data for this information collection will accepted electronically and in hard copy.
4. Efforts to Identify Duplication and Use of Similar Information
There is no similar information already available.
5. Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities
NA
6. Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently
ORR formula Refugee Social Services program funds are allocated annually to states based on a 3-year average caseload. The absence of an approved state plan would impede the awarding of such funds.
7. Special Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5
NA
8. Comments in Response to the Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside the Agency
The 60 day notice was published January 30, 2008 on page 5572, vol. 73.
The 30 day notice was published May 5, 2008 on page 24597.
ORR alerted refugee program officials in State Governments of the opportunity to comment. Four of the five comments submitted comprised a request for a copy of the proposed plan checklist in order to provide comments.
The fifth comment did not address the information collection but expressed strong opinion about the validity of the Refugee Resettlement Program, disparaging the alleged "refugee" status of its service caseload and blaming Washington D.C. for heaping the cost of programs for foreign-born folks on the backs of taxpayers. ORR is mandated by statute to provide assistance and services to eligible clients.
9. Explanation of Any Payment or Gift to Respondents
NA
10. Assurance of Confidentiality Provided to Respondents
NA
11. Justification for Sensitive Questions
NA
12. Estimates of Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
Instrument |
Number of Respondents |
Number of Responses per Respondent |
Average Burden Hours per Response |
Average Estimated Cost Per Hour |
Total Burden Hours |
Title IV State Plan |
50 |
1 |
15 |
$30 |
750 |
Estimated Total Annual Cost |
$30 x 750 hours |
$22,500 |
|||
Estimated average annual burden is 750 hours.
13. Estimates of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents and Record Keepers
There are no costs to respondents or record keepers.
14. Annualized Cost to the Federal Government
Instrument |
Number of Respondents |
Average Burden Federal Hours per Review |
Average Estimated Cost Per Hour |
Total Burden Hours Per Response |
Title IV State Plan |
50 |
8 |
$45 |
400 |
Estimated Total Annualized Cost to the Federal Government |
$45 x 400 hours |
$18,000 |
||
This total covers time and effort of four staff to review, clarify and correct plans, photocopy and submit to approval process, and file.
15. Explanation of Program Changes or Adjustments
This request is new and therefore there are no program changes or adjustments.
Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule
States must certify no later than October 31 each Federal fiscal year that the approved State plan is current and continues in effect or submit a proposed amendment to the plan.
Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date is Inappropriate
NA
Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
NA
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
This information collection request does not require the use statistical methods.
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Constance Combs |
| File Modified | 2008-06-23 |
| File Created | 2008-06-23 |