FR 2021-01669

The Federal Register notice from the Department of Justice, specifically the Office on Violence Against Women, announces the plan to submit an extension request for previously approved data collection efforts. This collection involves semi-annual progress reports by 14 grantees under the Tribal Coalitions Program. The program provides grants to non-profit tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, primarily serving Indian tribal communities. The collection process seeks to understand activities undertaken with grant funds and weighs public input on its necessity, accuracy, and burden.

General Summary

This document outlines the intention of the Department of Justice to continue its data collection process related to programs assisting tribal domestic violence and sexual assault victims. It invites public comments on the proposed extension for 30 days, ending on February 25, 2021. The reports are intended for grantees of the Tribal Coalitions Program, who are tasked with filling out detailed surveys to capture their activities. According to the document, these tasks should take each grantee about one hour twice a year.

Significant Issues

There are several notable issues within this document. Firstly, the document does not clearly state how the collected information will be used, specifically whether it will lead to any immediate policy changes or improvements in the programs themselves. Additionally, while the document refers to the "unique issues" faced by Indian victims, it lacks detail on what these issues are, potentially limiting the reader's understanding of the program's objectives.

Furthermore, the estimation that each grantee will spend one hour per report lacks supporting evidence or an explanation of how this time frame was determined. This omission raises concerns about the potential underestimation of the time commitment. The document also lacks a clear justification for the need to extend the existing data collection efforts, which could prompt questions regarding the actual demand and benefit of continued data gathering.

Moreover, while the notice mentions electronic submission to minimize the burden on respondents, it fails to specify whether proper systems and infrastructure are already in place or if additional resources are needed.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, the document can be seen as a part of efforts to support initiatives aimed at combating domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly in underserved tribal areas. For the general public, the positive reassurance that support continues for these crucial programs may be evident. However, lacking clarity and transparency about how this data will impact policy or programming may lead to skepticism or reduced confidence in the effectiveness of such efforts.

Impact on Stakeholders

For the 14 tribal grantees, this collection process is an administrative task that is integral to maintaining their funding. On a positive note, an organized data collection could potentially enhance the grantees' capabilities by generating insights into effective practices and areas needing improvement. On the downside, without specific mention of supported technological infrastructure or evidence to support the one-hour estimation, the process might present more of a burden than anticipated, particularly for small or resource-limited organizations.

In summary, while this notice aims to facilitate ongoing support for tribal domestic violence and sexual assault programs, it could be improved with greater transparency and elaboration on the process, utility, and infrastructure aspects associated with this data collection. Such improvements would likely bolster understanding and engagement from both the public and the program stakeholders.