ACF's request to modify the Massachusetts study is approved as a non-substantive change. However, authorization is not provided for the changes to the Illinois study at this time. OMB understands that ACF never intended to seek approval for the Illinois component through this request.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2011
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2009
23,556
0
23,556
3,693
0
3,693
0
0
0
Recognizing the need for rigorous, random assignment experiments to test aspects of subsidy policy, these three State studies will provide Federal, State, and local policymakers with information about the role of child care subsidy policies in helping low-income families achieve self-sufficiency and help determine how differences in subsidy policies or quality-improvement efforts are related to parent, child, and child care provider outcomes. In Massachusetts, respondents are family child care providers and low-income children in their care. The Massachusetts study tests the effects of LearningGames, a developmental curriculum, in family child care homes using a random assignment design. The original plan called for using the PLS-4 as the tool for evaluating impacts of LearningGames on child development for all children, regardless of age. The requested the change in assessment substitutes one subtest of the PLS-4 with the Bracken because of the experiences of another project funded through a grant from the Child Care Bureau. We wanted our data collection measures to conform with those used by this grant-funded project in order to maximize the information available for policymakers about a range of potential interventions in family child care homes. For the Massachusetts experiment, the intervention period ended in December 2007 and therefore we are awaiting feedback about whether we will be able to substitute these measures before doing our final data collection. We will need to complete the final data collection for Massachusetts by the end of February 2008. Therefore, if we do receive clearance to substitute these measures by February 8, 2008, we will be forced to omit the Bracken assessment. This will greatly hamper our ability to detect child outcomes and will limit the usefulness of the study and its comparability to other research on the effects of quality improvements in family child care homes.
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.
ccb EvalSubStratOMB2 mass change.doc
request for study change. 11.1.07.rtf
RE change requests.txt
Evaluation of Child Care Subsidy Strategies