[Federal Register: November 13, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 218)]
[Notices]               
[Page 66175-66176]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no06-42]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: 
Comment Request

    In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public 
comment on proposed data collection projects (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes 
periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed 
project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft 
instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129.
    Comments are invited on: (a) The proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency; 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: Assessment of the Bioterrorism Training and 
Curriculum Development Program Performance--NEW

    The goal of the Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development 
Program (BTCDP) is the development of a competent healthcare workforce 
with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to: (1) Recognize indications 
of a terrorist event; (2) meet the acute care needs of patients, 
including pediatric and other vulnerable populations, in a safe and 
appropriate manner; (3) participate in a local, regional, statewide, 
and national response, and (4) rapidly and effectively alert the public 
health system of such an event at the community, state, and national 
levels. Response issues include other forms of terrorism (e.g., the use 
of chemical, explosive, and incendiary agents, acute radiation exposure 
in a nuclear explosion), natural disasters, and catastrophic events.
    HRSA will collect data relevant to the preparedness training of 
healthcare providers from existing BTCDP

[[Page 66176]]

awardees to evaluate and report performance and outcome information. 
This information will be used by the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of the 
BTCDP. HRSA will use standard data collection forms to record the 
number of healthcare providers trained by profession and by course 
category, qualitative information on progress being achieved on 
approved objectives within the cooperative agreement, and performance 
outcomes of healthcare providers participating in training. The data 
collection forms do not duplicate other data collection efforts.
    The BTCDP is the only Federal program solely committed to the 
preparedness training of healthcare providers. As such, BTCDP awardees 
share curriculum, accomplishments, and lessons learned through an 
established network on a regular basis, a network vital to the 
development of a prepared healthcare workforce. Awardees stand uniquely 
prepared to respond to Congressional demand for efficient and effective 
training within the fiscal and time constraints of this program. 
Collecting data from awardees regarding their performance is the first 
step in meeting this demand.
    The estimated annual burden is as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Number of      Responses per   Total number of     Hours per       Total burden
                          Submission type                              respondents       respondent       responses         response          hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance and Outcome Data.......................................              32                1               32               16              512
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Send comments to Susan G. Queen, PhD, HRSA Reports Clearance 
Officer, Room 10-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, 
MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this 
notice.

    Dated: November 3, 2006.
Cheryl R. Dammons,
Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.
[FR Doc. E6-19087 Filed 11-9-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4165-15-P