Proposed Information Collection; Indian Health Service, Community Health Representative Activity Reporting Sample

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed information collection projects, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve the information collection listed below. This proposed information collection project was previously published in the Federal Register (62 FR 16594, April 7, 1997) and allowed 60 days for public comment. One public comment was received in response to the notice. The comment came from the attendees at the May 1997, Indian Health Service Aberdeen Area CHR Coordinator meeting. They commented on each point (a- f) listed in the ``Request for Comments'', section of the notice. Agency response is limited to the comments concerning these points. Overall, they support continued use of the CHR Information System (CHRIS) reporting form (IHS-826, Report of CHR Activities) and its associated manual. However, on point (e), ``Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected''; they recommended that Arthritis, Physical Therapy, ENT, and Accidents should be added to the list of Health Area Codes and that ``non- specific'' should be defined and used on a limited basis. After discussion with other CHR managers, the Agency CHR Program Director determined that a majority of the managers do not favor adding any categories to the current list of Health Area Codes and that most believe that the current categories are adequate. The ``non-specific'' category was originally defined to be used for all administrative activities, Tribal or community functions, and when representing the Tribe or the CHR program at meetings with other local or national agencies or groups, and it was supposed to be used on a limited basis. The CHR Program shall instruct the CHR staff accordingly. Based on the above, no changes will be made to the current health area codes and the non-specific category will remain as is. The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment to be submitted to OMB.