Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense wants to know what people think about a plan to check if military kids need more help talking about their feelings. People have until March 22, 2021 to say what they think, and they can do this online.
Summary AI
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection aims to assess the non-medical counseling needs of military children through the CYB-MFLC program. The feedback will help determine whether the program effectively meets these needs and identify any service gaps. Interested parties can submit comments electronically by March 22, 2021.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, announcing a proposed collection of information and inviting public comment. This is part of their compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aiming to assess the counseling needs of military children. The information collected will aid in determining the efficacy of the Child and Youth Behavioral-Military Family Life Counseling (CYB-MFLC) program and identifying service gaps.
General Summary
The notice seeks public input regarding the necessity and practical utility of the proposed information collection. The aim is to ensure that the collected data can improve program performance and reduce the burden on respondents. To achieve this, the Department of Defense (DoD) is utilizing electronic submissions through online platforms due to constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One major concern pertains to the language and procedures detailed for submitting comments. The technical terms, such as "Federal eRulemaking Portal," and specific instructions on using online resources may seem daunting to some individuals unfamiliar with such bureaucratic processes. Additionally, the notice indirectly excludes those without internet access, as it does not accommodate non-digital submissions.
Furthermore, the document introduces specific jargon and program names like "CYB-MFLC," which might not be easily understood by those unfamiliar with military programs. This lack of context could potentially obscure the true purpose and objectives of the proposed information collection.
The complexity of bureaucratic burden metric reporting (like "annual burden hours") can also be confusing for the general public, which might deter individuals from engaging with the notice fully.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the notice affects individuals and households, specifically targeting school principals involved with the CYB-MFLC program. The information sought is vital to understanding the counseling needs of military children and ensuring they are adequately met. Public involvement here can directly influence how military families are supported in civilian school environments.
While the digital nature of submissions might enhance accessibility for some, it excludes those preferencing or reliant on traditional mailing systems, notably impacting senior citizens or those who might find digital platforms cumbersome.
Impact on Stakeholders
The military community, especially families with school-aged children, stands to gain from an effective evaluation of the CYB-MFLC program. The data obtained will inform program adaptations to better serve their unique counseling needs. School principals, as respondents, play a pivotal role by providing insights directly impacting program direction and resources allocation.
Conversely, specific stakeholders might feel burdened by the time commitment required for participation, especially if they lack familiarity or comfort with digital submission processes.
In summary, while the proposed information collection presents potential benefits for evaluating and improving defense-sponsored child counseling services, it also poses several challenges in accessibility and understanding for the general public and respondents. Adopting clearer communication strategies and accommodating diverse submission formats could improve overall engagement and utility.
Issues
• The document does not explicitly outline any specific budget or spending, so it's difficult to assess wasteful spending or favoritism towards certain organizations or individuals.
• The technical and procedural language around the submission of comments might be complex for some readers, particularly phrases like 'Federal eRulemaking Portal' and specifics of following the process on http://www.regulations.gov.
• The burden estimate details (e.g., annual burden hours, average burden per response) could be confusing to the general public who may not be familiar with such assessments.
• The description of the 'CYB-MFLC program' lacks fuller context or explanation for those unfamiliar, potentially leading to ambiguity about the overall purpose and scope of the program.
• The document does not provide a direct method for submitting written comments due to COVID-19, which might inconvenience some respondents who prefer non-digital communication channels.