Uncle Sam Now Collects Data on Torture Survivor Aid Programs
Published Date: 2/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Office of Refugee Resettlement wants to keep collecting important info from groups helping survivors of torture. They’re updating their forms to better track who’s helped, what services work, and how programs are doing. These changes affect grant recipients and will keep going after February 2026, with public comments open until March 26, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
SOT Grant Recipients Must Keep Reporting
ORR will continue to require Services for Survivors of Torture (SOT) grant recipients to report demographic, programmatic, and outcome data using the PDP Form and the Program Performance Progress Report (PPR). Grant recipients must provide aggregated annual data on new and continuing clients (including demographics, torture-related characteristics, services received, length of service, and wellbeing across six outcome domains) and submit program narrative and program metric information semi-annually in the PPR.
Estimated Reporting Burden Reduced 30%
ORR reduced the estimated average time per response from 6 hours to 4 hours, which ORR says reduces overall estimated reporting burden by 30 percent; total annual burden is estimated at 441 hours across 35 respondents. The PDP shows 35 respondents and the PPR (Parts A and B) shows two responses per respondent in the annual burden table.
PDP Reporting Must Use ORR RADS
Grant recipients will continue to report their Survivors of Torture Program Data Points (PDP) through the ORR Refugee Arrivals Data System (RADS), an information technology platform used for enhanced data collection and record keeping.
Program Indicators: Subcategory & Frequency Changes
ORR removed twelve subcategories for two program indicators, added one subcategory to one program indicator, and reduced the frequency of reporting percentage-based outcomes in program metrics. ORR states these changes contribute to the reduced reporting burden.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16414, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008. The proposed rule would have amended the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendices to Part 1355 to modify the requirements for States to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home care and in subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements with the State. This document also withdraws the provision of the 2008 proposed rule that implemented the AFCARS penalty requirements of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-145).
2026-11530, Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632, Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-16392, Announcement of the Intent To Award Sole-Source Awards to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands
The ACF, OHS announces the intent to award two sole-source grants in the total amount of up to $7,200,000, or $3,600,000 each, to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to support the establishment and provision of Early Head Start (EHS) and/or Head Start Preschool (HSP) services. These awards are made pursuant to new statutory authority and recent appropriations providing $8 million to extend Head Start eligibility and services in the Freely Associated States, as authorized under the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 (Division G, Title II of Public Law 118-42), and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
2026-16134, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs
This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03616, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Goodyear found that some of their Dean Back Country A/T2 truck tires don’t fully meet safety rules but believes this won’t affect safety. They’ve asked the government to decide if this issue is minor and don’t plan to recall or fix the tires. If you have thoughts, you can share them by March 26, 2026, but no extra costs or changes are expected for drivers.
Next: 2026-03618, Notice of Availability of Calendar Year 2026 Competitive Grant Funds for the Technology Initiative Grant Program
The Legal Services Corporation is offering competitive grants in 2026 to help improve technology for legal aid groups serving low-income people. Eligible organizations must apply by April, May, or June deadlines depending on the grant type, with funds supporting projects that boost access to quality legal help through smart tech. If you’re already an LSC grantee, this is your chance to upgrade your tech and make a bigger impact!