FR 2021-02871

The document in question is a notice from the Office of Child Care (OCC) within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It discusses the need for expedited review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the collection of information about the use of funds provided under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA). States, territories, and tribes are required to submit a single report outlining their plans for utilizing these additional funds.

Summary and Explanation

The OCC is requesting states, territories, and tribes to detail how they will allocate the supplemental Child Care and Development Fund appropriations. These funds are designated to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The notice also calls for public comments on the necessary aspects of this information collection. This includes assessing its practicality, estimating burdens, and suggesting ways to improve the process of collection.

Significant Issues and Concerns

A key concern arises from the expedited review process requested in the notice, which might limit comprehensive review and thoughtful public commentary. Quick evaluations can sometimes overlook potential issues or miss opportunities for improvement.

Additionally, the document briefly mentions an estimated total annual burden of 642 hours for this task. However, it fails to provide a detailed methodology or breakdown of how this figure was determined, leaving it open to interpretation.

Moreover, the notice lacks specific criteria or metrics for assessing the efficiency or efficacy of how the funds will be utilized. Without such criteria, there is a risk of ineffective or wasteful spending, which is particularly concerning when public funds are involved.

Lastly, while the notice requests suggestions for minimizing the reporting burden on respondents, it only offers generic guidance. More specific, practical guidelines would be beneficial in easing the process for states, territories, and tribes.

Public Impact

On a broad scale, this document signifies a collaborative effort to allocate resources effectively in response to the pandemic. However, the public should be aware of the expedited timeline, which may influence the thoroughness of the planning and reporting process. The public is also encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed information collection, but the time constraint might limit participation.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For states, territories, and tribes, the notice requires them to quickly organize and submit plans for using these funds. This process could be burdensome, especially with the vague instructions and tight deadlines. The lack of detailed guidelines may lead to varying interpretations and implementation strategies, which could result in inconsistencies or inefficiencies in fund utilization. On the positive side, this funding presents an opportunity to address pressing child care issues exacerbated by the pandemic, which could have long-lasting benefits if managed well.

Overall, while the document represents an essential step in addressing pandemic-related challenges in child care services, it raises issues about planning thoroughness, fairness in allocation, and potential administrative burdens on the involved agencies.