Data collection will help FNS assess
the feasibility of expanding the use of computer matching to
certify and verify the income- eligibility of children for free and
reduced-price school meals. The core aims of the study are to
describe current direct certification processes and procedures
employed by States and LEAs; explore the relationship between these
methods and overall direct certification performance measures; and
identify steps for continuous improvement in data-matching
techniques and tools to increase matching rates.
This is a reinstatement with
changes of a previously approved data collection that will build on
the data collection for "Feasibility of Computer Matching in the
National School Lunch Program" (OMB Number 0584-0529). In contrast
to the original data collection effort that focused solely on
State-level respondents, the proposed data collection will expand
the study to all districts in district-matching States, of which
there are approximately 6,265. In addition, the revised collection
will include in-person interviews of State and local staff in the
seven in-depth study States and collection of unmatched SNAP
records and categorically eligible NSLP applications. Such an
expansion of the data collection effort will significantly increase
the number of respondents from whom data will be collected (6,513
versus 225). As a result, the burden hours for this revised data
collection are 3,727.74, compared with 144.25 for the previously
approved collection.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.