Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program-Grant Application, Survey and Report
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to collect information from people who give help to families of veterans and wants to hear thoughts from everyone about this so they can make it better. Some parts of the information they want, like filling out a form, might take a lot of time, and some words in their message are hard to understand.
Summary AI
The Veterans Health Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect information related to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This program aims to provide grants to support services for low-income veteran families. The information collection involves several forms including grant applications and participant satisfaction surveys. Comments on this proposal are welcomed until February 21, 2025.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has announced a proposal to collect information for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This program focuses on providing grants aimed at helping low-income veteran families access supportive services. The VHA is seeking public comments on this data collection effort until February 21, 2025.
General Summary
The VHA's proposal aims to evaluate the effectiveness of their SSVF Program through data collection via several forms, including grant applications and satisfaction surveys filled out by the participants. The agency plans to submit this information to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in line with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. By collecting this data, the VA intends to improve their service offerings and ensure grants are effectively supporting the needs of veteran families.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A notable concern within the document is the estimated burden time associated with one of the forms, specifically VA Form 10-10072. The average time required to complete this form is listed as 2,100 minutes per respondent, which equates to 35 hours. This estimate seems unusually high for an application process and might be an error or oversight. Such a significant burden could deter individuals from applying for the much-needed grants.
Moreover, the document does not provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in these activities. Without transparency in financial allocations, stakeholders may fear potential wasteful spending. Additionally, the notice does not adequately explain how public feedback from the comment period will be utilized to refine and improve the proposed collection process, leaving questions about the integration of public interest into the final plan.
Public Impact
The proposal's impact on the public is twofold. On one hand, the SSVF Program holds the potential to significantly benefit low-income veteran families by granting them access to essential services. However, the large burden and the absence of explicit cost transparency may hinder effective participation and could create an administrative bottleneck, leaving some families underserved.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Veteran families stand to benefit from well-managed grants that offer critical support services, potentially transitioning them into permanent housing and enhancing their quality of life. However, the excessive time requirement and potential complexities in the application process might discourage eligible participants from applying.
Nonprofit organizations involved in coordinating these services could also feel the burden of administrative requirements if they are overly complex or time-consuming. Streamlining the process is crucial to maintain enthusiasm among grantees who are essential to the program's success.
For broader public stakeholders, clarity and transparency in these processes ensure trust and efficient use of taxpayer dollars, reinforcing confidence in government-administered programs aimed at societal improvements.
In conclusion, while the intentions of the SSVF Program are commendable, addressing the raised concerns and refining the process can ensure more effective execution, thereby maximizing its positive impact on veteran families.
Issues
• The estimated average burden for VA Form 10-10072 seems unusually high at 2100 minutes (35 hours) per respondent, which appears excessive for an application process.
• The document does not include a clear explanation or breakdown of costs associated with the collection activities, which may lead to concerns about transparency and potential wasteful spending.
• The notice lacks detailed information about how the feedback from the public comment period will be used to adjust the proposed information collection activities.
• Language related to submitting comments via the website www.reginfo.gov is slightly complex and might confuse users unfamiliar with navigating government websites.
• The document assumes that respondents understand terms such as 'PRA', 'OMB', and specific VA forms without providing definitions or context, which could lead to confusion among the general public.