Appendix F - Advance letters and fact sheets

Advance Letters

N ATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[CASEWORKER NAME] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear Caseworker,

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the next round of interviews with selected children and families. If you took part in one of our earlier rounds of interviews, we would like to thank you for your participation. If this is the first time you have been contacted about the NSCAW, the study may be new to you. The NSCAW is a Congressionally mandated study of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by The Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF has hired RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit survey research organization, to conduct the study.

There are over 5,300 children and families participating in this important study of the child welfare system. You are being contacted

because at least one of the families you work with or worked with in the recent past participated in our first round of interviews and received services through the agency. As the primary caseworker for one of these families, we would like to interview you to learn more about the services provided to or needed by the family and update the information we collected in our earlier round of interviews.

The NSCAW will make available nationally representative longitudinal data drawn from first-hand reports from children and their caregivers, service providers, and teachers. This study will provide policy makers and practitioners with information about the service needs of children and families who enter the child welfare system, the kinds of services provided to them, and outcomes for children and families who enter the system. Information gathered will be used to improve child welfare policy and practice. These data are especially important in these times of additional stressors on families due to the economic downturn, and on agencies trying to handle increased family needs with fewer resources.

Your participation is vital to helping us better understand the issues that face children and families in the child welfare system and how the system serves children of different ages and with different needs. We recognize that some families receive extensive services, while others receive few or no services. In order to obtain a complete picture of the service system, it is important that we talk with caseworkers regardless of the amount or type of services provided or paid for by the agency.

The interview will take about 60 minutes to complete and will be conducted by the professional RTI representative in your area listed below. Please ask to see her/his personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below. We appreciate the heavy demands on your time and want to stress that the interviewer will work with you to schedule the interview at a time convenient to your schedule.

The enclosed fact sheet provides additional information about this important study. Please be assured that the information you share with us will be used for research purposes only and will be completely confidential, as required by law. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files that are released.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You:___________________________________

Version 2A May 2009

N ATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[PARENT NAME] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear Parent,

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the next round of interviews with selected children and families. Your child is among more than 5,300 children randomly selected and participating in this study The NSCAW is a Congressionally mandated study of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by The Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF has hired RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit survey research organization, to conduct the study. If you took part in our earlier round of interviews, we would like to thank you for your participation. If this is the first time you have been contacted about the NSCAW, the study may be new to you.

By participating in the survey, you will have a unique opportunity to talk about your experiences with the child welfare system, your level of satisfaction with the services your family may have received, and about your child, [NAME OF CHILD]. This will help us better understand the issues that affect children and families like yours. The results of the study will be used to make improvements to the child welfare system. Because your contribution is important, we will pay you $50 for participating in this round of interviews. We will also give your child a gift certificate for participating. The amount of the gift certificate is $20 for children age 11 or older and $10 for children age 10 or younger.

We realize you are busy, taking care of a family, working outside the home, or going to school — possibly all three. A professional RTI representative in your area will contact you and will conduct the interview whenever it is convenient for you and your child.

Your help in this study is voluntary, but we urge you to participate. The information you provide will be completely confidential, as required by law. Neither this project nor the local representative who will contact you is affiliated with the child welfare agency. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files released by RTI. Your participation will not affect any benefits or services you or your child receive.

Additional information about the study is in the enclosed fact sheet. A professional RTI representative will try to reach you by telephone to schedule the interview. However, if the interviewer is not able to reach you by telephone, she/he will come to your home to explain the survey in person, and will be glad to answer any questions you have. Please ask to see her/his personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You: ____________________________________

Version 2C May 2009

NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[LEGAL GUARDIAN] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear Legal Guardian,

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the next round of interviews with selected children and families. The NSCAW is a Congressionally mandated study of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by The Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF has hired RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit survey research organization, to conduct the study. The results of this study will be used to make improvements to the child welfare system.

[NAME OF CHILD], a child for whom you (or your state or agency) are the legal guardian, is among more than 5,300 children randomly selected and participating in the study. By participating, respondents have a unique opportunity to talk about their experiences with the child welfare system. This can help us better understand the issues that affect children and families. We would like to talk with the child to learn how the system serves children with different needs. Because every child’s participation is important, we will give each child a gift card for participating. The amount of the gift card is $20 for children age 11 or older and $10 for children age 10 or younger.

We realize you are busy. The professional interviewer who will contact you can meet with you to discuss the consent for the child interview whenever it is convenient for you.

Your consent for the child’s participation in this study is voluntary, but we urge you to allow the child to participate. Each child’s participation will help us learn about the child welfare system from a child’s point of view. The information the child provides will be completely confidential, as required by law. Neither this project nor the local representative who will contact you and the child is affiliated with the child welfare agency. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files released by ACF. The child’s participation will not affect any benefits or services the child or his/her family receives.

Additional information about the study is in the enclosed fact sheet. A professional RTI representative in your area will contact you by telephone. However, if the interviewer is not able to reach you by telephone, she/he may come to explain the survey in person, and will be glad to answer any questions you have. Please ask to see her/his personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this survey, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You: ________________________________

Version 2F May 2009

N ATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[NEW AGENCY CASEWORKER NAME] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear Caseworker,

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the second round of interviews with selected children and families. The NSCAW is a Congressionally mandated study of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by The Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF has hired RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit survey research organization, to conduct the study.

In the first round, RTI worked with a child welfare agency in your area to sample families who had come into contact with the child welfare system. RTI conducted interviews or assessments with the sampled children and interviews with their caregivers and investigative caseworkers. In this round, we are re-contacting the sampled families and caseworkers to conduct additional interviews that allow researchers to learn about families’ continuing experiences with the child welfare system and the types of services they may receive over time.

Nationwide, there are over 5,300 children and families participating in this important study. You are being contacted because at least one of these families is receiving services through your agency. You were named as the primary caseworker or service provider for the child. Because of your involvement with the child, we would like to interview you to learn more about the services provided to or needed by the child and his/her family, and update the information we collected in our first round of interviews.

The NSCAW will make available nationally representative longitudinal data drawn from first-hand reports from children and their caregivers, service providers, and teachers. This study will provide policy makers and practitioners with information about the service needs of children and families who have contact with the child welfare system, the kinds of services provided to them, and outcomes for children and families. Information gathered will be used to improve child welfare policy and practice. These data are especially important in these times of additional stressors on families due to the economic downturn, and on agencies trying to handle increased family needs with fewer resources.

Your participation is vital to helping us better understand the issues that face children and families in the child welfare system and how the system serves children of different ages and with different needs. We recognize that some families receive extensive services, while others receive few or no services. In order to obtain a complete picture of the service system, it is important that we talk with caseworkers regardless of the amount or type of services provided or paid for by the agency.

The interview will take about 60 minutes to complete and will be conducted by the professional RTI representative in your area listed below. Please ask to see her/his personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below. We appreciate the heavy demands on your time and want to stress that the interviewer will work with you to schedule the interview at a convenient time.

The enclosed fact sheet provides additional information about this important study. Please be assured that the information you share with us will be used for research purposes only and will be completely confidential, as required by law. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files that are released.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You:___________________________________

Version 2N May 2009

N ATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[PARENT OF EMANCIPATED YOUTH NAME] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear Parent,

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the next round of interviews with selected children and families. Your child is among more than 5,300 children randomly selected and participating in this study The NSCAW is a Congressionally mandated study of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by The Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF has hired RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit survey research organization, to conduct the study. If you took part in our earlier round of interviews, we would like to thank you for your participation. If this is the first time you have been contacted about the NSCAW, the study may be new to you.

By participating in the survey, you will have a unique opportunity to talk about your experiences with the child welfare system, your level of satisfaction with the services your family may have received, and about your child, [NAME OF CHILD]. This will help us better understand the issues that affect children and families like yours. The results of the study will be used to make improvements to the child welfare system. Because your contribution is important, we will pay you $50 for participating in this round of interviews.

We realize you are busy, taking care of a family, working outside the home, or going to school — possibly all three. A professional RTI representative in your area who will contact you will conduct the interview whenever it is convenient for you.

Your help in this study is voluntary, but we urge you to participate. The information you provide will be completely confidential, as required by law. Neither this project nor the local representative who will contact you is affiliated with the child welfare agency. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files released by RTI. Your participation will not affect any benefits or services you or your child receive.

Additional information about the study is in the enclosed fact sheet. A professional RTI representative will try to reach you by telephone to schedule the interview. However, if the interviewer is not able to reach you by telephone, she/he will come to your home to explain the survey in person, and will be glad to answer any questions you have. Please ask to see her/his personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You: ____________________________________

Version 2P May 2009

NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[EMANCIPATED YOUTH] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear [NAME OF CHILD]

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the next round of interviews with participating children and families. You are among more than 5,300 youth randomly selected and participating in this study. The NSCAW is a Congressionally mandated study of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by The Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF has hired RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit survey research organization, to conduct the study. The results of this study will be used to make improvements to the child welfare system. You were interviewed in 2008 or 2009 in an earlier round of the study, and we greatly appreciate your prior participation.

By participating in the survey, you will have a unique opportunity to talk about your experiences with the child welfare system, and your level of satisfaction with the services you may have received. This will help us better understand the issues that affect youth like you. The results of the study will be used to make improvements to the child welfare system. Because your contribution is important, we will pay you $50 for participating in this round of interviews.

We realize you are busy, going to school, working outside the home, or helping to take care of a family — possibly all three. The professional interviewer who will contact you will conduct the interview whenever it is convenient for you.

Your help in this study is voluntary, but we urge you to participate. The information you provide will be completely confidential, as required by law. Neither this project nor the local representative who will contact you is affiliated with the child welfare agency. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files released by ACF. Your participation will not affect any benefits or services you receive.

Additional information about the study is in the enclosed fact sheet. A professional RTI representative in your area will try to reach you by telephone to schedule the interview. However, if the interviewer is not able to reach you by telephone, she/he will come to your home to explain the survey in person, and will be glad to answer any questions you have. Please ask to see her/his personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this survey, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You: ____________________________________

Version 2X May 2009

N ATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING

RTI • P.O. Box 12194 • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA

[YOUNG ADULT] [Date]

[Address]

[Address #2]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear [NAME OF YOUNG ADULT]

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is currently conducting the next round of interviews with participating young adults. You are among over 5,300 young adults randomly selected and participating in this study. You were interviewed in 2008 or 2009 in an earlier round of the study, and we greatly appreciate your prior participation.

NSCAW is the first ever nationwide survey of children and families who have had contact with the child welfare system. The study is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. By participating in the survey, you will have a unique opportunity to talk about your life experiences and transition to adulthood. This will help us better understand the issues that affect young adults like you. The results of the study will be used to make improvements to the child welfare system and services available. Because your contribution is important, we will pay you $50 for participating in this round of interviews.

We realize you are busy, going to school, working outside the home, or helping to take care of a family — possibly all three. The professional interviewer who will contact you will conduct the interview whenever it is convenient for you.

Your help in this study is voluntary, but we urge you to participate. The information you provide will be completely confidential, as required by law. Neither this project nor the local representative who will contact you is affiliated with the child welfare agency. No individual participant or family will be identified in reports or data files released by ACF. Your participation will not affect any benefits or services you receive.

Additional information about the survey is in the enclosed fact sheet. A professional RTI representative in your area will try to reach you by telephone to schedule the interview. However, if the interviewer is not able to reach you by telephone first, she/he will come to your home to explain the survey in person, and will be glad to answer any questions you have. Please ask to see her personal identification card; an example of the ID card is shown below.

Your help is extremely important to the success of this survey, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Bruce Webb, Ph.D., Project Officer

Administration for Children and Families

Name of Interviewer Who Will Contact You: ____________________________________

Version 2YA May 2009

Fact Sheets

Questions and Answers about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Caseworker Survey

Your agency is participating in an important study called the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. In this fact sheet, you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the study.

What is the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW)?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is a Congressionally-mandated study designed to collect nationally representative longitudinal data from children and families in the child welfare system. Information is also collected from teachers and caseworkers. The data will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, about the kinds of services used by children and families, and about other services provided by child welfare agencies. In addition, this national study examines child and family well-being outcomes within the context of their experience in the child welfare system.

Who is doing this study?

The study is being sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) has been hired to conduct the survey and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International (RTI)?

RTI is a private, not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina founded in 1958 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University in Durham and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies.

How were children chosen to participate?

Most surveys involve drawing a scientific sample from the population of interest and then concentrating the study on this relatively small sample. This is also the approach used in the NSCAW. A random sample of about 80 county child welfare agencies was drawn from the entire U.S. Within each of these agencies, we scientifically selected a sample of children who were the subjects of child abuse investigations (or assessments) conducted by child protective services (CPS) between February 2008 and April 2009. This resulted in a group of about 5,300 children who are participating in the study and who represent children in child welfare agencies across the entire U.S.

What is the NSCAW Caseworker Survey?

During the reference period, children were randomly selected from your agency for inclusion in this study. We are now following up with the sampled children and their caregivers approximately 18 months after the close of the index investigation. You have been identified as the primary caseworker or service provider for one of the participating children. The caseworker survey focuses on the child’s history in the child welfare system and the services he/she receives. In answering these questions, it may be necessary for you to refer to the child’s service records.

Note that you may be asked to complete interviews for more than one child during this round of interviewing. We will work with you to find a convenient time to do the interview(s).

How are children involved in NSCAW?

The child’s involvement varies depending on his or her age. Young children are observed by a professional RTI representative to assess their development and language skills. The interviewer talks with older children about their development, family experiences, school, and friends. The interviewer obtains permission from the child’s legal guardian before observing or talking with him or her.

How are parents/guardians involved in NSCAW?

Parents or caregivers of selected children are asked to answer questions about the child’s development, including his or her learning, behavior, health, and friendships. They also ask about the services the family receives and their family environment. Additional questions focus on their attitudes about raising children, family support, involvement with school and community activities, and their interaction with the selected child.

How was my name associated with this case?

The RTI representative working this case obtained your name from either the child’s current caregiver/legal guardian, who has agreed to participate in the study, or from the study liaison in the participating local agency. As the primary caseworker or service provider for the sampled child’s case, you were named as the person most knowledgeable about the services the sampled child and family may have received. .

How is the survey conducted?

A professional RTI representative will contact you in advance to schedule a convenient time to complete the interview. In conducting the interview, the interviewer will read the questions off of a computer screen and type the answers into the computer. You may need to refer to your records to answer some questions.

How will I recognize the RTI interviewer?

The interviewer will carry an RTI identification badge with his or her picture on it. The interviewer will also have letters of authorization from the Children’s Bureau, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and RTI.

How long will the interview take?

The services caseworker interview lasts about 60 minutes. We will schedule the interview whenever it is most convenient for you.

Will the selected child or his/her guardian know my answers?

No. The information you provide is considered strictly private and confidential. The selected child, his/her guardian, and agency staff will not know any of your responses to the interview questions. The information you provide will be used for research purposes only and your name will be kept separate from the information.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. Your name is not linked with the information you provide. They are kept separate from the survey information. Your name, address and other identifying information are only used when it is time to contact you again for another interview. RTI may also telephone participants or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work.

What about confidentiality?

All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential, and nothing you tell us will be reported with your name.

The selected child and his/her guardian, and other agency staff will not know any of your responses to the interview questions. You do not have to answer any question you do not want to answer and you can stop the interview at any time.

The information provided by all other study participants, including caregivers, children, and teachers, will be kept strictly confidential. Answers obtained during all NSCAW interviews will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics so that no single participant can be identified.

Where do I get more information?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.

Questions and Answers about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Caregiver Survey

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being is the first ever nationwide study of children and families who have come into contact with the child welfare system. In this fact sheet, you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the survey.

What is the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is designed to collect data from children and their parents or caregivers. Information will also be collected from teachers, caseworkers and agency records. The information will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, about the kinds of services used by children and families, and about other services provided by child welfare agencies.

Why should I participate?

This is an opportunity to have your voice heard, to talk about your child’s needs from your own point of view, and help other families in similar situations. The selected child named in the accompanying letter and/or a caregiver were interviewed sometime between April 2008 and August 2009; you may have participated in that earlier round of interviews. We are now following up with families approximately 12-14 months after the last interview to see how things may have changed.

Who is doing this study?

The study is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) is conducting the survey and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International?

RTI International (RTI) is a not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies. Professional RTI representatives in your area are conducting the interviews with children, families, and caseworkers.

How was I chosen?

In doing this survey, we cannot talk to everyone in the country. That would cost too much and take too long. So, we scientifically selected a “sample” of children who had come into contact with the child welfare system. Your child is among over 5,300 children randomly selected and participating in the study. We want to interview you about your child and your family. Your contribution is important, and we will pay you $50 for your time and give your child a gift certificate for participating. The gift certificate is $20 for children age 11 or older and $10 for children age 10 or younger.

How will I be involved?

You will be asked to answer questions about your child’s development, including his or her learning, behavior, health, and friendships. You will also be asked about the services your family receives and your family’s situation.

To help us understand how the well-being of children changes over time, we or other researchers conducting this study may contact you and your child in the future to update our information. Each of these additional interviews will also be completely voluntary.

How will my child be involved?

The interviewer will ask your permission to observe or talk with your child selected for NSCAW. Your child’s involvement will vary depending on his or her age. Young children are observed by a professional RTI interviewer to assess their development and language skills. The interviewer talks with older children about their development, family experiences, school, and friends.

How is the study being conducted?

A professional RTI interviewer will make a personal visit to interview the child’s primary caregiver, the person most involved with the child on a day to day basis. The interviewer will read the questions off of a computer screen and type the answers into the computer. We will ask your permission to use in our research any information we may obtain from child welfare agency records. Also, we will request permission to contact the child’s teacher.

How will I recognize the RTI interviewer?

The interviewer will carry an RTI identification badge with his or her picture on it. The interviewer will also have a letter of authorization from the Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and RTI. Please ask to see these credentials

How long will it take?

The interview length varies by the age of the child and his or her family experiences. The interview with you averages about 100 minutes. The length of the child interview is between 60 and 90 minutes. We will schedule the interviews when it is most convenient for you and your child.

Are the questions personal?

Some questions may seem a little personal to some people. All answers are confidential; no one else (even other household members) will know what you say during the interview. You do not have to answer any question that you do not want to answer.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. Your name and your child’s name will not be linked with the information you provide. Your names and other identifying information will be kept separate from your answers, and your name, address and other identifying information will only be used when it is time to contact you again for another interview. RTI may also telephone you or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work, and will contact you by mail between rounds of interviews, in case you move..

How will teachers and child welfare agency personnel be contacted?

After you have given us permission, we will contact your child’s teacher by mail to participate in the survey. Teachers will be asked questions about your child’s school performance, behavior, relationships with other children, and participation in school activities such as sports and clubs, but will not be told about the family’s contact with the child welfare system. The caseworker will be asked questions about the child welfare services provided to your child and family. The caseworker will be asked to refer to your child’s service records.

What about Confidentiality?

All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential, and nothing you tell us will be reported with your name.

However, there are two important exceptions. (1) If the interviewer or project staff think that your child’s life or health is in danger, they will inform the appropriate county or state agency. Also, if they feel that your life or health is in serious danger, they will contact emergency assistance. (2) At some point in the future this research may be done by another organization. If that happens, with your consent, we would give contacting information for you and your child to the other organization.

The interviewer will ask for your permission before approaching your child for an interview. At that point, your child may choose whether or not to participate in the study. To protect your privacy and that of your child, neither of you will know the other’s answers to the interview questions. Answers obtained during all NSCAW surveys will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics.

Where do I get more information about the study?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.

Questions and Answers FOR LEGAL GUARDIANS about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being is the first ever nationwide study of children and families who have come into contact with the child welfare system. In this fact sheet, you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the survey.

What is the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is designed to collect data from children and their parents or other caregiver. Information will also be collected from teachers, caseworkers and child welfare agency records. The information will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, about the kinds of services used by children and families, and about other services provided by child welfare agencies.

Who is doing this study?

The survey is being sponsored by the Administrative for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) is conducting the survey and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International?

RTI International (RTI) is a not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies. Researchers at ACF have contracted with RTI to conduct data collection for the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being.

How was the child chosen?

In doing this survey, we cannot talk to everyone in the country. That would cost too much and take too long. So, we scientifically selected in 2008 and 2009 a “sample” of children who had come into contact with the child welfare system. The sampled child may have participated in an earlier round of interviews about 12-14 months ago. We want to talk with the child again to find out how things have changed for him or her and his or her family.

We must have permission from a parent or legal guardian before we observe or talk with the child. At that point, the child may choose whether or not to participate in the study. We want to interview the child about his or her experiences with school, friends, and his or her family. Because his or her contribution is important, we will give the child a gift card for participating in this round of interviews. The amount of the gift certificate is $20 for children age 11 or older and $10 for children younger than 11. We will also pay current caregivers $50 in cash for participating in this round of interviews.

How will the child be involved?

The child’s involvement will vary depending on his or her age. Young children will be observed by a professional RTI interviewer to assess their development and language skills. The interviewer will talk with older children about their development, family experiences, school, and friends. We are asking your permission to observe or talk with the sampled child; we will ask the caregiver for their (unofficial) permission to talk with the child as well.

How is the study being conducted?

A professional RTI interviewer will make a personal visit to interview the child’s primary caregiver, the person most involved in the child’s day to day care. The interviewer will read the questions off of a computer screen and type the answers into the computer.

We will ask your permission to use in our research any information we may obtain from child welfare agency records. Also, we will request permission to contact the child’s teacher.

How long will it take?

The length of the interview varies by the age of the child and his or her family experiences, and averages between 60 and 90 minutes. We will schedule the interview whenever it is most convenient for the child and his or her family.

Are the questions personal?

Some questions may seem a little personal to some people. All answers are confidential; no one else (even other household members) will know what was said during the interview. Respondents do not have to answer any question that they do not want to answer.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI. by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. The child’s name will not be linked with the information he or she provides. Names and other identifying information will be kept separate from answers, and will only be used when we or other researchers contact the child and his or her family again for another interview. RTI may also telephone the child’s caregiver or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work.

How will teachers and child welfare agency personnel be contacted?

If you give us permission, we will contact the child’s teacher by mail to participate in the survey. Teachers will be asked questions about the child’s school performance, behavior, relationships with other children, and participation in school activities such as sports and clubs, but will not be told about the family’s contact with the child welfare system.

Also we may obtain information from talking to the child’s caseworker. The caseworker will be asked questions about the child welfare services provided to the child and his or her family. The caseworker will be asked to refer to the child’s service records.

What about Confidentiality?

To protect the privacy of the child, neither the child nor the caregiver will know the other’s answers to the interview questions. Answers obtained during all NSCAW surveys will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential. All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects.

There are two important exceptions. (1) If the interviewer or project staff think that the child’s life or health is in danger, they will inform the appropriate county or state agency. (2) At some point in the future this research may be done by another organization. If that happens, with your consent, we would give contacting information for the child to the other organization.

Where do I get more information about the study?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have any questions about your rights, or that of the child as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.

Questions and Answers about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

New Agency Caseworker Survey

What is the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW)?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is a Congressionally-mandated study designed to collect nationally representative longitudinal data from children and families in contact with the child welfare system. Information is also collected from teachers and caseworkers. The data will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, about the kinds of services used by children and families, and about other services provided by child welfare agencies. In addition, this national study examines child and family well-being outcomes within the context of their experience in the child welfare system. In this fact sheet, you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the study.

Who is doing this study?

The study is being sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) has been hired to conduct the survey, and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International (RTI)?

RTI is a private, not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina founded in 1958 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University in Durham and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies.

How were children chosen to participate?

Most surveys involve drawing a scientific sample from the population of interest and then concentrating the study on this relatively small sample. This is also the approach used in the NSCAW. A random sample of about 80 county child welfare agencies was drawn from the entire U.S. Within each of these agencies, in 2008-2009 we scientifically selected a sample of children who were the subjects of child abuse investigations (or assessments) conducted by child protective services (CPS) between February 2008 and April 2009. This resulted in a group of about 5,300 children who are participating in the study and who represent children in child welfare agencies across the entire U.S.

What is the NSCAW Caseworker Survey?

The target population for the NSCAW II sample is all children who were subjects of child abuse and neglect investigations (or assessments) conducted by CPS between February 2008 and April 2009. During this period, children were randomly selected from a child welfare agency in your area for inclusion in this study. At least one caseworker from that agency was asked to complete an initial interview that focused on the investigation that led to the family’s inclusion in the study.

We are now following up with the sampled children and their caregivers approximately 18 months after the close of the index investigation. You have been identified as the primary caseworker or service provider for one of the participating children. The caseworker survey focuses on the child’s history in the child welfare system and the services he/she receives. In answering these questions, it may be necessary for you to refer to the child’s service records.

Note that you may be asked to complete interviews for more than one child during this round of interviewing. We will work with you to find a convenient time to do the interview(s).

How are children involved in NSCAW?

The child’s involvement will vary depending on his or her age. Young children will be observed by a professional RTI representative to assess their development and language skills. The interviewer will talk with older children about their development, family experiences, school, and friends. The interviewer will obtain permission from the child’s legal guardian before observing or talking with him or her.

How are parents/guardians involved in NSCAW?

Parents or caregivers of selected children will be asked to answer questions about the child’s development, including his or her learning, behavior, health, and friendships. They will also be asked about the services the family receives and their family environment. Additional questions will focus on their attitudes about raising children, family support, involvement with school and community activities, and their interaction with the selected child.

How was my name associated with this case?

The RTI representative working this case obtained your name from either the child’s current caregiver, who has agreed to participate in the study, or from the participating local agency. As the primary caseworker or service provider for the sampled child’s case, you were named as the person most knowledgeable about the services the sampled child and family may have received. .

Does the local agency approve of NSCAW?

Yes. In 2007-2008, an agency local to your area signed a Letter of Agreement with RTI. The letter outlined the project’s responsibilities with respect to issues such as data collection and confidentiality of data. The letter also outlined the agency’s responsibilities with respect to issues such as provision of data for sampling purposes, provision of current caregiver contact information, and support of caseworker participation in NSCAW.

How is the survey conducted?

A professional RTI representative will contact you in advance to schedule a convenient time to complete the interview. In conducting the interview, the interviewer will read the questions off of a computer screen and type the answers into the computer. You may need to refer to your records to answer some questions.

How will I recognize the RTI interviewer?

The interviewer will carry an RTI identification badge with his or her picture on it. The interviewer will also have letters of authorization from the Children’s Bureau, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and RTI.

How long will the interview take?

The services caseworker interview lasts about 60 minutes. We will schedule the interview whenever it is most convenient for you.

Will the selected child or his/her guardian know my answers?

No. The information you provide is considered strictly private and confidential. The selected child, his/her guardian, and agency staff will not know any of your responses to the interview questions. The information you provide will be used for research purposes only and your name will be kept separate from the information. Similarly, we cannot provide you with any information from either the child’s or caregiver’s interview.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. Your name is not linked with the information you provide. They are kept separate from the survey information. Your name, address and other identifying information are only used when it is time to contact you again for another interview. RTI may also telephone participants or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work.

What about confidentiality?

All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential, and nothing you tell us will be reported with your name.

The selected child and his/her guardian, and other agency staff will not know any of your responses to the interview questions. You do not have to answer any question you do not want to answer and you can stop the interview at any time.

The information provided by all other study participants, including caregivers, children, and teachers, will be kept strictly confidential. Answers obtained during all NSCAW interviews will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics so that no single participant can be identified.

Where do I get more information?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.

Questions and Answers about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Caregiver of Emancipated Youth Survey

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being is the first ever nationwide study of children and families who have come into contact with the child welfare system. In this fact sheet, you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the survey.

What is the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is designed to collect data from children and their parents or guardians. Information will also be collected from teachers, caseworkers and agency records. The information will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, about the kinds of services used by children and families, and about other services provided by child welfare agencies.

Why should I participate?

This is an opportunity to have your voice heard, to talk about your child’s needs from your own point of view, and help other families in similar situations. You may have participated in an earlier round of interviews. We are following up with families approximately 12-14 months after the last interview to see how things may have changed.

Who is doing this study?

The study is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) is conducting the survey and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International?

RTI International (RTI) is a not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies. Professional RTI representatives in your area are conducting the interviews with children, families, and caseworkers.

How was I chosen?

In doing this survey, we cannot talk to everyone in the country. That would cost too much and take too long. So, we scientifically selected a sample of children who had come into contact with the child welfare system. A child currently or very recently in your care is among over 5,300 children randomly selected and participating in the study. This child has given us permission to contact you. We want to interview you about your child and your family. Your contribution is important, and we will pay you $50 for your time.

How will I be involved?

You will be asked to answer questions about the child’s development, including his or her learning, behavior, health, and friendships. You will also be asked about the services your family receives and your family’s situation.

To help us understand how the well-being of children changes over time, we or other researchers conducting this study may contact your child in the future to update our information. Each of these additional interviews will also be completely voluntary.

How will I recognize the RTI interviewer?

The interviewer will carry an RTI identification badge with his or her picture on it. The interviewer will also have a letter of authorization from the Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and RTI.

How long will it take?

The caregiver interview averages about 100 minutes. We will schedule the interview when it is most convenient for you.

Are the questions personal?

Some questions may seem a little personal to some people. All answers are confidential; no one else (even other household members) will know what you say during the interview. You do not have to answer any question that you do not want to answer.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. Your name and your child’s name will not be linked with the information you provide. Your names and other identifying information will be kept separate from your answers, and your name, address and other identifying information will only be used when it is time to contact the child again for another interview. RTI may also telephone you or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work.

What about Confidentiality?

All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential, and nothing you tell us will be reported with your name.

However, there are two important exceptions. (1) If the interviewer or project staff think that your child’s life or health is in danger, they will inform the appropriate county or state agency. Also, if they feel that your life or health is in serious danger, they will contact emergency assistance. (2) At some point in the future this research may be done by another organization. If that happens, with your consent, we would give contacting information for you and your child to the other organization.

To protect your privacy and that of your child, neither of you will know the other’s answers to the interview questions. Answers obtained during all NSCAW surveys will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics.

Where do I get more information about the study?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.

questions and Answers about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Emancipated Youth Survey

You have been asked to participate in an important study called the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the survey.

What is the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is the first ever nationwide study of children and families who have come into contact with the child welfare system. NSCAW is designed to follow children as they grow older to collect data on their health and well-being. The information will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, and to make improvements to the child welfare system.

Why should I participate?

This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and to talk about your needs and experiences from your own point of view. You participated in an earlier round of interviews conducted in 2008 or 2009. We are following up with those participants approximately 12-14 months after the last interview to see how things may have changed. Because your contribution is important, we will pay you $50 for participating in the interview.

Who is doing this study?

The study is being sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) is conducting the study and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International?

RTI is a not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies. Professional RTI representatives in your area are conducting the interviews with children, families, and caseworkers.

How was I chosen?

In doing this survey, we cannot talk to everyone in the country. That would cost too much and take too long. So, we scientifically selected a sample of children who had come into contact with the child welfare system in 2008 or 2009. You are among over 5,300 youths randomly selected and participating in the survey. We want to interview you about your life experiences, health, behaviors, and transition to adulthood.

How will I be involved?

A professional RTI representative will ask you questions about your life experiences. The questions will focus on your health, employment, relationships, social support system, behaviors, and use of services. The interviewer will also ask you about the community in which you live, and about things that may happen in your life like violence in the home, drug abuse, and other risky behaviors such as drinking, sexual activity, drug use, and involvement with the police.

How is the study being conducted?

A professional RTI representative in your area will contact you to schedule a personal visit to your home (or another designated location) to interview you. The interviewer will read the questions off of a computer screen and type the answers into the computer.

Upon completion of the interview, we will request permission to keep and use in our research any information we may obtain from child welfare agency records. If you have received services since the last interview, we may also interview your caseworker. We will also request permission to contact your teacher if you are enrolled in school. If you are currently living with or have lived with a parent, grandparent, or other adult who took care of you in the last three months, we will request your permission to also talk with that person.

How will I recognize the RTI interviewer?

The interviewer will carry an RTI identification badge with his or her picture on it. The interviewer will also have a letter of authorization from the Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and RTI.

How long will it take?

The interview averages 90 minutes. We will schedule the interview whenever it is most convenient for you.

Are the questions personal?

Some questions may seem a little personal to some people. All answers are confidential; no one else (even other household members) will know what you say during the interview. You do not have to answer any question that you do not want to answer.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. Your name will not be linked with the information you provide. Your name and other identifying information will be kept separate from your answers. Your name, address and other identifying information will only be used when we or other researchers contact you again. RTI may also telephone you or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work.

How will teachers, child welfare personnel, and caregivers be contacted?

After you have given permission, we will contact your teacher by mail to participate in the survey. Teachers will be asked questions about your school performance, behavior, relationships with other youth, and participation in school activities such as sports and clubs, but will not be told about your family’s contact with the child welfare system.

We will also ask permission to keep and use in our research any information we may obtain from child welfare agency records. The caseworker will be asked questions about the child welfare services provided to you and your family. The caseworker will be asked to refer to your service records.

If you are currently living with or have lived with a parent, grandparent, or other adult who took care of you in the last three months, we will request your permission to also talk with that person. He/she may have been interviewed before by one of our professional interviewers. This interview will be very similar to the one done before. The person who took care of you will be asked questions about services your family received, family relationships and support, life experiences, and involvement with school and community activities. He/she will also be asked about your learning, behavior, health, and friendships.

What about Confidentiality?

All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential, and nothing you tell us will be reported with your name.

However, there are two important exceptions. (1) If the interviewer or project staff think that your life or health, or the life or health of a child in your care, is in serious danger, they will contact emergency assistance. (2) At some point in the future this research may be done by another organization. If that happens, with your consent, we would give contacting information for you to the other organization.

We will ask for your permission before we contact your teacher or caregiver. To protect privacy, answers obtained during all NSCAW surveys will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics.

Where do I get more information about the study?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.

questions and Answers about the

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND

ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Young Adult Survey

You have been asked to participate in an important study called the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about the survey.

What is the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being?

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) is the first ever nationwide study of children and families who have come into contact with the child welfare system. NSCAW is designed to follow children and young adults as they grow older to collect data on their health and well-being. The information will be used to learn about the needs of children and families, and to make improvements to the child welfare system.

Why should I participate?

You participated in an earlier round of interviews in 2008 or 2009. At that time, we may have also interviewed your parent or guardian. We are following up with participants approximately 12-14 months after the initial interview to see how things may have changed. In this round, we are interested in talking with you about how things have changed for you. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and to talk about your needs and experiences from your own point of view. Because your contribution is important, we will pay you $50 for participating in this round of interviews.

Who is doing this study?

The study is being sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RTI International (RTI) is conducting the study and is not affiliated with the child welfare agency.

Who is RTI International?

RTI is a not-for-profit research organization located in North Carolina. RTI conducts research projects for a wide variety of government agencies, universities, and private companies. Professional RTI representatives in your area are conducting the interviews with children, young adults, families, and caseworkers.

How was I chosen?

In doing this survey, we cannot talk to everyone in the country. That would cost too much and take too long. So, we scientifically selected a sample of children and adolescents who had contact with the child welfare system in 2008 or 2009. You are among over 5,300 youths randomly selected and participating in the survey. We want to interview you about your life experiences, health, behaviors, and transition to adulthood.

How will I be involved?

A professional RTI representative will ask you questions about your life experiences. The questions will focus on your health, employment, relationships, social support system, behaviors, and use of services. The interviewer will also ask you about the community in which you live and about things that may happen in your life. Questions about sensitive things like violence in the home, drug abuse, and other risky behaviors such as drinking, sexual activity, drug use, and involvement with the police will be asked directly by the computer, and you will enter your own responses.

How is the study being conducted?

A professional RTI representative in your area will contact you to schedule a personal visit to your home (or another designated location) to interview you. The interviewer will read the questions off of a computer screen and type the answers into the computer.

Upon completion of the interview, we will request permission to keep and use in our research any information we may obtain from child welfare agency records. If you have received services since the last interview, we may also interview your caseworker.

How will I recognize the RTI interviewer?

The interviewer will carry an RTI identification badge with his or her picture on it. The interviewer will also have a letter of authorization from the Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and RTI.

How long will it take?

The interview averages 90 minutes. We will schedule the interview whenever it is most convenient for you.

Are the questions personal?

Some questions may seem a little personal to some people. All answers are confidential; no one else (even other household members) will know what you say during the interview. You do not have to answer any question that you do not want to answer.

What happens to the information?

The information the interviewer enters into the computer is sent to RTI by the computer in a way that is safe and secure. The answers are then combined with other interviews and reported in summary form. Your name will not be linked with the information you provide. Your name and other identifying information will be kept separate from your answers. Your name, address and other identifying information will only be used when we or other researchers contact you again. RTI may also telephone you or send a letter to check on the quality of the interviewer’s work.

What about Confidentiality?

All RTI staff members and interviewers have signed a Confidentiality Agreement guaranteeing that they will not reveal any information to anyone other than authorized project staff. In addition, RTI has obtained a federal Certificate of Confidentiality for this study to protect the identity of the research subjects. All information collected as part of the study will be held strictly confidential, and nothing you tell us will be reported with your name.

However, there are two important exceptions. (1) If the interviewer or project staff think that your life or health, or the life or health of a child in your care, is in serious danger, they will contact emergency assistance. (2) At some point in the future this research may be done by another organization. If that happens, with your consent, we would give contacting information for you to the other organization.

To protect privacy, answers obtained during all NSCAW surveys will be combined with those from thousands of others from around the country. The results will be reported only in percentages, averages and other statistics.

Where do I get more information about the study?

If you have other questions about this survey, you may call toll-free: Pat Crowley at RTI, 1-877-254-1953, extension 67. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, call toll-free: RTI’s Office of Human Research Protections at 1-866-214-2043.