The United States Resettles thousands
of refugees every year. Some of these refugees have many positive
attributes in owning and managing a small business including many
business ideas, experience, training, and a strong desire to
succeed in the U.S.A. As a result, these refugees want to start
their own business as an alternative to employment. Unfortunately,
they cannot realize this dream because of lack of capital. Also, it
is impossible for these refugees to borrow money from the
traditional lending sources due to their inability to meet the
stringent criteria of the traditional lenders. It was precisely to
overcome these challenges that the Office of Refugee Resettlement
(ORR) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within
the Department of Health and Human Services established the
Microenterprise Development (MED) Program. The MED program is a
discretionary grant. Its main objectives are to 1) assist refugees
in becoming economically self-sufficient, 2) assist refugee serving
communities galvanize resources to strengthen their capacities and
continue serving refugees at an expanded and sustainable level, and
3) enhance the integration of refugees to the mainstream and
realize the American Dream. Thus, it is critical to collect data so
as to determine whether or not the program is achieving its
intended these objectives.
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.