Form Focus groups-instr Focus groups-instr Focus groups-instruments

ATTACHMENT C
FOCUS GROUP GUIDE

OMB No. 0930-XXXX
Expiration Date XX/XX/XXXX

Public Burden Statement: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this
project is 0930-xxxx. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 90 minutes per
respondent, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the
data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044, Rockville, Maryland, 20857.

INTRODUCTION FOR FACILITATOR
Thank you for agreeing to come to this discussion group today. My name is [NAME], and my
co-worker is [NAME], and we work for Mathematica Policy Research, an independent research
organization.
We conducting an evaluation of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR)
initiative. The goal of this evaluation is to describe the ways in which states have implemented
SOAR and to gather information about the initiative’s initial outcomes. The evaluation is collecting
and analyzing data from a variety of sources, including individuals who have participated in the
SOAR training. As part of the study, we want to learn about how you first learned about SOAR,
your impressions of the SOAR training, and the successes and challenges you have had in
implementing what you learned during training in practice. Our discussion will take one-and-a-half
hours.
We have a few basic rules that will help make the group run well that I wanted to mention.
First, it’s important for you to know that being a part of this discussion is up to you,
and you can choose to not answer a question if you wish. You will not be penalized in
any way for deciding not to participate in any part of the discussion.
I am going to lead the discussion by asking the group several questions. It’s really
important for everyone to speak up. Whenever possible, let’s try to share talking time so
that people talk about the same amount—no one talks too much or too little. It will be
helpful if you speak one at a time and as loudly as I am speaking. Please avoid any side
conversation with your neighbors.
Please respect each other’s point of view. There are no right or wrong answers. We just
want to learn from you and your experiences, so just say exactly what you think,
whether it’s positive or negative.
We have many topics to cover during the discussion. At times, I may need to move the
conversation along to be sure we cover everything. If I interrupt you, it’s not personal. I
just want to get to everything that’s on the agenda.
We also ask that you not repeat any of the discussion you’ve heard after you leave today
in order to respect each other’s privacy. Everything you say here is private. Your names
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will not be included in our report, and we will not share what someone says with anyone
outside of this room, except as required by law.
The session will last about 1½ hours, and we will not take any formal breaks. But please
feel free to get up at any time to stretch, use the restroom, or help yourselves to
something to eat or drink.
Are there any questions before we get started?

1.

Agency

2.

Role

3.

Experience with SSI/SSDI applications prior to SOAR training

1.

Recruiting Trainees
Process for learning about training
Nature of participation (voluntary/mandatory)
Level of interest in training
Supervisor’s role
Encouraged, discouraged or mandated attendance
Barriers to participation

2.

Training Feedback

Perceptions of training (most and least useful aspects)
Difference in knowledge of the SSI/SSDI application process before and after training
Participation of SSA and DDS
Nature of participation
Value of participation
Identification of a SSA and/or DDS staff member to contact
Discussion of case managers’ future responsibilities to SOAR
Discussion of PRA web tracking system
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Refresher trainings, if any
Follow-up contact with trainers for TA
3.

Participation in SOAR
Percentage of time respondent spends on SOAR
Percentage of time respondent’s supervisor expects him or her to spent on SOAR
Time required to complete a benefit application
How amount of time respondent spends compares to his or her initial expectations
How respondent’s work on SOAR compares to his or her initial expectations
Extent to which SOAR is congruent with respondent’s core responsibilities
Degree to which respondent’s supervisor and other agency leaders support his or her
participation in SOAR
Extent to which other staff at respondent’s organization are involved in SOAR

4.

Implementing Training Components

Frequency before/since SOAR training of submitting SSI/SSDI applications (generally and for
homeless individuals)
Perceived impact of SOAR on application quality
Frequency of using information from SOAR training in work with clients
Extent and methods of outreach to homeless clients and changes over time
Frequency before/since SOAR training of
Obtaining prior treatment records
Writing medical summary reports co-signed by physician or psychologist (and report
quality)
Review of applications for completeness and accuracy
Electronic submission of applications to SSA
Case managers becoming authorized representative
Case managers becoming representative payees
Receiving feedback from SSA/DDS regarding application quality
Barriers to completing above steps

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5.

Ongoing Communication
Partners
SOAR leaders
SSA/DDS
Trainers
Housing and other public assistance agencies (state/local)
Public and private health systems (state/local)
Homeless service providers
Community mental health providers
State mental health agency
Correctional agencies/facilities (state/local)
Other stakeholders

Frequency (contact with before and after SOAR began)
Method of communication (email, in-person meetings, telephone)
Purpose of communication/ topics discussed
Changes in communication over time
Opinion about how productive communication is in improving SOAR applications
Extent to which SOAR has increased or improved communication between stakeholders
6.

Ongoing Strategic Planning

Nature and strength of SOAR leadership
Extent to which state lead or other leaders facilitates ongoing communication between
stakeholders
Leader’s roles in troubleshooting problems
Leader’s roles in encouraging stakeholders to dedicate resources to SOAR
Involvement in stakeholder meetings
Strategic planning sessions or other group meetings after the forums
Discussions with the state lead or other stakeholders

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Struggles implementing portions of the strategic plan
Factors facilitating ongoing communication
Factors impeding and ongoing communication

1.

General Case Management Tracking Procedures
Process and systems used for maintaining case management records
Special processes for SOAR cases, if any
Process for and timing of follow-up on submitted applications
Procedures that are mandatory v. voluntary

2.

Successes and Challenges of Tracking Outcomes
Perception of personal success at tracking SOAR outcomes
Challenges of tracking
Factors contributing to successes and challenges

1.

Early Experiences with the System
How learned about the system
Deciding whether or not case manager to use the system
Reasons
Training received, if any

2.

Use of the System
Extent to which case managers use the system and for what purposes
Proportion of SOAR cases for which respondents enter initial application information
Proportion of SOAR cases for which respondents enter information on application
outcomes
Reasons respondents enter data
Reasons respondents do not enter data
Changes over time in use of system
Differences, if any, between cases case managers enter and cases they do not enter
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Extent to which case managers at this organization differ in their level of use
Extent to which supervisors encourage/require case managers to use the system
Reasons for requiring or not requiring use
Practices for monitoring use
Extent to which respondent or other agency staff look at resultant data
Extent to which data from the system informs decision-making
Positive and negative aspects of the system
Questions case managers finds confusing
Technical issues with the system, if any
Ways system could be improved
Inherent challenges, if any
3.

Interactions with Data Liaison

Interactions with data liaison before SOAR
Initial interaction with data liaison regarding SOAR web tracking system
Frequency of interactions with the data liaison regarding SOAR web tracking system
Topics discussed with data liaison
Changes over time
Interactions with other SOAR stakeholders regarding SOAR web tracking system

1.

SSI/SSDI Benefits
Number of SOAR applications submitted
Number of SOAR applications approved
Average time between application submission and approval
Factors contributing to application approvals and denials

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2.

Other Benefits to Clients that Resulted from SOAR
Medicaid enrollment
Housing changes
Enrollment in treatment programs
Effect of SOAR on case managers’ non-SOAR work

1.

Successful Aspects of Training and SOAR

2.

Challenges or Areas Needing Improvement

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ATTACHMENT D
FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT CONSENT AND INFORMATION
FORMS

OMB No. 0930-XXXX
Expiration Date XX/XX/XXXX

STATEMENT OF CONSENT
SOAR EVALUATION FOCUS GROUP
(Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration)

A member of the SOAR Evaluation team has explained to me the objectives of the evaluation
generally and focus group specifically and answered any questions I had. I understand that the
information I provide is private and will not be provided to people outside of the study, except as
required by law. I also understand that I do not have to answer any questions that make me feel
uncomfortable. If I have questions about my rights as a research participant or associated burden, I
can contact Jackie Kauff at Mathematica Policy Research at 202-484-5266 or [email protected] or the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer at 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044,
Rockville, Maryland, 20857. I understand that participation is voluntary, and I agree to participate in
the study. I understand that I am allowed to stop participating in the study at any time, without
penalty.
____________________________________________
Name
_____________________________________________
Signature
Email:

_________________________________________

Phone:

(
) _________ - ______________
Area code

______________
Date

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I certify that the staff members assigned to explain the study to participants were trained to do so in terms participants
would understand.
_________________________________________
Jacqueline Kauff
Project Director
3/23/2011

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OMB No. 0930-XXXX
Expiration Date XX/XX/XXXX

The information provided below will help us to understand the characteristics of case
managers, social workers, and other individuals who have participated in the SOAR
training. Please do not write your name or employer name on this form. Please return this
form to the discussion group leader.
Public Burden Statement: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this
project is 0930-xxxx. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 90 minutes per
respondent, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the
data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044, Rockville, Maryland, 20857. As noted
previously, all aspects of your participation in this study are voluntary; you will not be penalized in any way by refusing
to complete any portion of this form.

Date:_________________________________ Location: ____________________________
1.

I work at an agency that is primarily a... Circle one
1. Mental health agency
2. Homeless service agency

2.

SSA or DDS office
Other (please specify) _________________

At the above agency, my current job is ... Circle one
1. Outreach worker
2. Case Manager

3.

3.
4.

3. Shelter Worker
4. Benefits Specialist

5. Program Coordinator/Supervisor
6. Other (specify)_______________

About how many years have you worked in this type of job? Circle one.
1. Less than 1 year

2. 1-5 years

3. More than 5 years

4.

My position is PATH-funded?

Yes

No

Don't Know

5.

What type of SOAR training have you had? Check all that apply.
____I completed some or all of the web-based SOAR training
____I participated in a two-day SOAR in-person training
____I participated in a one-day SOAR in-person training
____I participated in an abbreviated version (less than one day) of SOAR training

6.

Do you have any past experience assisting clients with SSI or SSDI applications? Circle

one.
Yes

No

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