PCWA Web Survey Instrument Topic Overview

APPENDIX D: PCWA WEB SURVEY

INSTRUMENT TOPIC OVERVIEW

PCWA Survey Sections

Heading	Justification
A. CONTACT AND SCREENER
I. Background Information	In this section, we collect basic information about the respondent, including contact information and employment duration. Because a single PCWA may partner with multiple PHAs to administer the FUP, we ask the respondent to identify a single PHA to be referenced throughout the survey.
II. Child Welfare Context	PCWAs are asked about their state’s child welfare policies, including eligibility and transition planning. We ask about the state’s provision of foster care beyond age 18, and the conditions under which the state extends foster care. We ask several questions to determine the nature and magnitude of housing needs for foster youth transitioning to adulthood. We determine the number of children in foster care within the specified jurisdiction and the percentage of children under age 16. We also ask how many youth aged out of the foster care system in the last fiscal year.
III. PHA/PCWA Cross-Training	To assess the nature of PHA-PCWA partnerships and the degree of collaboration between the agencies, we ask PCWAs about their familiarity with and training on Section 8 and FUP eligibility and related issues.
IV. FUP Vouchers for FUP Eligible Youth
A. FUP Identification, Referral, Eligibility, and Wait List	This section addresses key research questions regarding how youth are identified as candidates for a FUP voucher and how the referral process works for eligible youth. We ask how PCWAs identify and refer FUP-eligible youth to PHAs, and the number of referrals made in the last year. We also ask about what happens after a youth’s eligibility determination, including the process for notifying a youth of their FUP award.
B. FUP Housing Search and Selection	To better understand the extent of the housing need and adequacy of housing choice for foster youth transitioning to adulthood, this section asks about housing search assistance provided by the PCWA and move-related counseling provided by the agency.
C. Adequacy of Housing Choice Using FUP	To assess challenges to providing housing assistance for this population, we ask PCWAs about potential barriers and incentives to landlords leasing to FUP-eligible youth.
D. Tenancy Approval, Lease-Up and Move-In	In this section we determine the PCWA’s involvement in providing financial and other assistance to youth after a housing unit has been approved by the PHA.
E. Post-Move In Status and Services	This section addresses outcomes related to housing stability. We ask how many youth voluntarily leave the program and their reasons for doing so. We also determine whether supportive services are provided to the youth by the PCWA during this period and the agency’s source of funding for these services.
F. Exiting FUP After 18-Month Limit	In this section, we ask about supportive services the agency may provide, and what steps are taken, if any, to help youth plan for transitioning to other housing once the 18-month time limit expires.
V. Other Housing Options for Foster Youth Aging Out	In this section we obtain information about what other housing options are available and offered to former foster youth within the agency’s jurisdiction. We ask about contact with other homeless providers for youth who have aged out of care and about the type and duration of ongoing assistance that the agency may offer to youth who have aged out of care.
VI. Progress and Challenges Using FUP	In this section we seek to learn what obstacles agencies have encountered in administered FUP vouchers to youth and ask PCWAs to rate the progress they have made using FUP vouchers to address youths’ housing needs.
VII. Perspectives on Practice and Policy	To assess policy-related challenges and barriers to providing housing assistance to youth aging out of foster care, we ask the agency’s opinion on FUP-related statutory requirements and service requirements. This is the last section of the PCWA survey.