Overview
Title
Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Labor wants to make sure they are asking good questions about veterans' jobs and are asking people to help them decide which questions are important. They're checking if their questions are easy to understand and whether they need to add or remove any to help make better rules and programs for veterans.
Summary AI
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from the Department of Labor is requesting public comments on their proposed revisions to the "Veterans Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS)." This supplement provides information on veterans' labor force status and aims to help improve veteran-related policies and programs. The BLS is especially interested in feedback on the necessity and effectiveness of the information collection, its impact on respondents, and suggestions for improvement using technology. The changes will include new questions and the removal of less-used ones, with a response deadline by March 30, 2021.
Abstract
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the "Veterans Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS)," to be conducted in August 2021, August 2022, and August 2023. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document shared is a notice from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is part of the Department of Labor, seeking public comments on proposed revisions to their "Veterans Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS)." This supplement plays a crucial role in gathering data about veterans' employment status and other related information to shape policies and programs concerning the veteran community.
General Summary
The document details the intention of BLS to update the Veterans Supplement, which collects vital data on the labor force status of veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities, combat veterans, and recently discharged individuals. The initiative also aims to update the methods of collection to reduce the burden on respondents and ensure the information collected serves its purpose effectively. Comments are invited from the public to assess the necessity, utility, and accuracy of the proposed methods and questions.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A few concerns arise from the notice's contents:
Technical Terminology: The document includes technical terms like "OMB Number," "cognitive testing," and "expert review," which might not be familiar to the general public. Clarifications on these terms could improve understanding and engagement.
Precision in Time Estimates: The average time per response is stated as 4.25 minutes, a level of precision that may seem implausible and could undermine confidence in the accuracy of this estimate.
Clarity of Public Action: While the document calls for public comments, it does not explicitly clarify what specific feedback is needed or how it will directly impact the decision-making process. Providing more guidance could enhance the quality and relevance of the feedback received.
Lack of Budgetary Details: There is no information on the funding or budget associated with this initiative. This omission limits the ability to evaluate potential financial implications and ensure effective use of resources.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document outlines an initiative that should positively impact the public by refining how data is collected and thereby improving policy formation for veterans. By inviting public input, BLS seeks to ensure that collected data genuinely reflects veterans' experiences and needs.
Specific Stakeholder Impact
Veterans: The proposed changes could significantly benefit veterans by providing more relevant data for program improvement. New questions relating to the transition from military to civilian employment and the challenges faced could lead to more tailored support programs.
Policy Makers and Legislators: The data collected will enable more informed decision-making, helping craft policies that support the veteran community effectively.
Veteran Advocacy Groups: These organizations could leverage updated and more comprehensive data to advocate for changes that address identified gaps in services and support.
In summary, while the initiative from BLS is well-intentioned and necessary, enhancing the document's clarity and ensuring realistic data collection projections will likely yield better public engagement and more effective outcomes for stakeholders. Engaging in this consultative process has the potential to bolster the support framework for the nation's veterans.
Issues
• The document does not specify any specific budget or funding amounts, making it difficult to assess for wasteful spending.
• There is no indication of favoritism towards particular organizations or individuals, but additional transparency regarding who benefits from the policies could help.
• Language such as 'cognitive testing and expert review' may not be clear to all readers who are unfamiliar with the process or significance.
• The document uses some technical terms like 'OMB Number', 'cognitive testing', and 'expert review' that might not be clear to audiences without prior knowledge of federal information collection processes.
• Average Time per Response is listed as 4.25 minutes, which may seem overly precise and could suggest an unrealistic estimate.
• The action requested from the public, specifically what kind of comments are needed and how they will be utilized, could be clearer to encourage more targeted and effective feedback.