ACF-OCS-CSBG-DCL-24-15 CSBG Annual Report and PRA Clearance Process Updates

Community Services Block Grant

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#: ACF-OCS-CSBG-DCL-24-15

DATE: June 28, 2024

TO: CSBG Network

SUBJECT: CSBG Annual Report and Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Clearance Process Updates 

ATTACHMENT(S): Not Applicable

The Office of Community Services (OCS) is writing to notify the public of the opportunity to provide final comments on the proposed revisions to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Annual Report 2.1, CSBG Tribal Annual Report (TAR), and Tribal Short Form (TSF) and to share updates on the CSBG Annual Report information collection request (OMB No. #0970-0492).

Final 30-Day Comment Period for CSBG Annual Report 2.1, CSBG TAR, and TSF

On June 28, 2024, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published the second notice for public comment on these forms, which is available on the Federal Register. As described in this published second notice, all written comments and suggestions should be sent directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Members of the public may find this information collection on RegInfo.gov by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. It is important to note that comments and suggestions should be sent directly to OMB through RegInfo.gov and not to ACF.  

Comments are only accepted through RegInfo.gov for 30 days after OMB’s receipt of the review request and the corresponding start to the 30-day comment period. As noted in the notice, OMB will make a decision concerning the information collection between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, OMB must receive comments within 30 days of publication.

Updates to the Review Process for the CSBG Annual Report 3.0 Comments

In the initial 60-day comment period, this collection request contained CSBG Annual Report 3.0; a version of the CSBG Annual Report with substantial revisions that aimed to significantly reduce the burden and ensure the data collected was critical for federal reporting. OCS thanks the CSBG Network for their thoughtful comments on the proposed changes to the CSBG Annual Report 3.0. The Paperwork Reduction Act comment period process allows us to provide an opportunity for every member of the Network and the general public to review these changes and provide comments on the information collection at the same time ensuring that the opportunity for review is robust, equitable, and accessible. 

OCS received a substantial number of comments at the close of the comment period and reaffirms its commitment to being responsive to the public. Due to the number of comments received, OCS is delaying submission of CSBG Annual Report 3.0 for the 30-day comment period and will continue to review and address all comments. Once all comments are addressed and an updated proposed CSBG Annual Report 3.0 is complete, a subsequent notice will be published to the Federal Register for final comments in conjunction with submission to OMB.  This will provide a 30-day comment period and comments will be directed to OMB. OCS will notify the network when the 30-day comment period notice is posted. 

Once the report receives OMB approval, OCS intends to implement the tool in a phased approach with the option for grant recipients and sub recipients to opt-in for the first implementation year or continue using the current instrument (CSBG Annual Report 2.1). In the second year of implementation, the 3.0 version would become required for all grant recipients and sub grant recipients. 

OCS extends its sincere appreciation to the entire CSBG network for taking the time to review the proposed updates and providing thoughtful and thorough comments and suggestions. We appreciate your partnership and will continue to work diligently on our shared goal to harness data to highlight the tremendous impact of CSBG.

/s/
Charisse Johnson
Director, Division of Community Assistance
Office of Community Services