Overview
Title
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Release of Unaccompanied Alien Children From ORR Custody (OMB #0970-0552)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is asking people to share their thoughts on some changes they want to make to forms that help kids without parents get from one place to another safely. They want to make sure these forms are helpful and not too hard to fill out.
Summary AI
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is asking for public comments on changes to information collection forms related to the release of unaccompanied alien children from ORR custody. They plan to update and integrate several forms into a new case management system called UAC Path. These forms help process releases and provide post-release services. The ORR seeks feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and clarity of these forms, and suggestions to reduce the burden on respondents, with comments welcomed within 60 days of publication.
Abstract
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is inviting public comments on revisions to an approved information collection. The request consists of several forms that allow the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program to process release of UAC from ORR custody and provide services after release.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under review is a notice from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It seeks public comments on proposed revisions to information collection forms used in the process of releasing unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from ORR custody. These revisions also consider incorporating these forms into a new case management system called UAC Path. This publication offers a 60-day window for public commentary on the practicality, accuracy, and user burden of these forms.
Summary
The ORR's efforts focus on refining the procedures and documentation related to the release and post-release services for UAC. Specific forms mentioned include the Verification of Release, Discharge Notification, ORR Release Notification, Release Request, and Safety and Well-Being Call forms. A notable change is the integration of previous instruments with additional fields and sections in the new system, UAC Path. Such revisions are intended to streamline processes and improve data management and service delivery.
Issues and Concerns
The document presents several issues that warrant attention. First, while it encourages public feedback, it does not clearly specify how such input will influence policy or form revisions. Additionally, there are notable increases in the average burden minutes for some forms, such as the Verification of Release and the Safety and Well-Being Call forms, rising from 3 to 10 minutes and from 30 to 45 minutes, respectively, without accompanying reasoning or justification.
Furthermore, the list of modifications, especially for the Discharge Notification and Release Request forms, includes numerous field changes. This complexity might be overwhelming for potential respondents, especially without detailed guidance or illustrative examples. Lastly, new sections such as 'Child Advocates', 'Medical', and 'Legal' are introduced in existing forms, yet the document lacks clarity on their operational role within the case management system.
Broad Public Impact
The revisions proposed by the ORR could have a broad impact on how release processes for unaccompanied alien children are managed. A streamlined and robust case management system might contribute to more efficient processing, potentially leading to better outcomes for the children involved. There is, however, a risk that the added complexity might increase the administrative load on agencies and individuals tasked with completing these forms.
Specific Stakeholder Impact
For ORR grantee and contractor staff, these updates might require adjustments to adapt to the new system and understand the revised forms. Additional training could be necessary, imposing a learning curve. For the children and sponsors, potential benefits could involve more clearly delineated and reliable processes post-release, although the complexity of new processes might also introduce barriers if not effectively communicated.
Overall, while the proposed revisions aim to enhance the management of UAC release procedures, it is critical that these intended improvements do not inadvertently hinder the ease with which respondents can complete and submit necessary information. Stakeholders must be adequately informed and supported through these transitions to ensure the proposed benefits are realized seamlessly.
Issues
• The document provides a call for public comment but lacks explicit information on how these comments will impact decision-making or what specific changes are being considered.
• The document mentions an increase in average burden minutes per response for some forms, such as the Verification of Release form (from 3 to 10 minutes) and the Safety and Well-Being Call form (from 30 to 45 minutes), but does not provide justification for these increases.
• The description of form changes, particularly for the Discharge Notification and Release Request forms, involves numerous field additions and modifications, which could confuse respondents without detailed guidance or examples.
• There is a lack of explicit information on how the new sections added to existing forms, such as 'Child Advocates', 'Medical', and 'Legal', will function within the case management system.
• The language used to describe the removal and addition of fields in various forms is technical and might be difficult for the general public to understand, particularly those not familiar with the system or terminology used.