Att. C FAQ

OMB No.: xxxx-xxx

Expiration Date: xx/xx/20xx

ATTACHMENT C

CHILD SUPPORT NONCUSTODIAL PARENT EMPLOYMENT DEMONSTRATION (CSPED)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This information will be employed by program staff intake workers during the process of informing parents of their eligibility to participate in the Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration (CSPED) study. It can also be handed out to parents as part of the intake process.

frequently asked questions

CHILD SUPPORT NONCUSTODIAL PARENT EMPLOYMENT DEMONSTRATION (CSPED)

What Is This Study About?

The Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration (CSPED) study is being done to learn more about which services help noncustodial parents like you meet your child support obligations and build better relationships with their children.

Who Is Sponsoring This Study?

This study is being sponsored by the Office of Child Support Enforcement within the Administration for Children and Families of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Who Is Conducting This Study?

The study is being conducted by the University of Wisconsin and Mathematica Policy Research, an independent research firm based in Princeton, New Jersey. Both the University of Wisconsin and Mathematica are known for high-quality, fair, and objective research designed to support decision making on the nation’s most pressing issues. Many of their studies have provided important information to help in the development of national policies and planning programs like this one.

Who Is Included In This Study?

The CSPED study includes parents who have an obligation to pay child support for one of their children and may be having difficulty meeting their obligation. However, because space is limited and we cannot provide extra services to all the eligible parents who would like to receive them, the research team created a computer program to randomly select which parents will be able to participate in our program.

What Does Random Assignment Mean?

Random assignment is like picking numbers out of a hat or flipping a coin so everyone is treated fairly. Everyone who is eligible and agrees to participate will be assigned by chance to one of two groups. One of the groups will be able to receive extra program services at no cost to them. The other group will be able to receive regular or “usual” program services that would be available to them even if the CSPED study was not taking place. A computer makes the decision about the group to which group you are assigned. 50 percent of those who are eligible and interested will be assigned to the group that can receive the extra services; 50 percent of those who are eligible and interested will be assigned to the group that does not receive the extra services.

Does Everyone In The Study Receive Program Services?

Everyone in the study can receive services. However, because extra services can only be provided to a limited number of parents, a computer will randomly decide to which group you are assigned: the group that can receive the extra services or the group that can receive regular or “usual” services. If you are assigned to the group that can receive regular or “usual” services, you will be eligible to receive those services that would have been available to you even if the CSPED study was not taking place.

What Will I Be Asked To Do As Part Of the Study?

After you give your consent to participate in the study, you will be asked to complete a 30-minute survey over the telephone today. After you complete the survey, you will be informed of which group you are in: the group that can receive extra services or the group that can receive regular or “usual” services. Regardless of the group to which you have been assigned, you will be contacted in about 12 months and asked to take another survey over the telephone. You may also be asked to participate in focus groups and complete check lists about interactions with your child. Your participation in any of these activities is voluntary. In addition, and also regardless of the group to which you have been assigned, researchers will contact federal and state agencies for information about your employment and earnings, child support orders, experiences with the criminal justice system and child welfare system, and other benefits or services you may receive from public programs. Researchers will also obtain a copy of your credit report.

What Will I Receive If I Participate in the Study?

Today, after you agree to participate in the study, complete the initial survey, and find out to which group you have been assigned, you will receive a $10 gift card in appreciation for the time you spent answering the questions you are asked. If you choose to take part in the in the follow-up survey, you will receive $25 at that time as a thank-you for participating in it. You will also receive a $20 gift card as a token of appreciation for the time you spend in a focus group.

If you are selected to receive the extra services, you will also receive integrated case management, additional child support services, employment services, and parenting activities.

If you are not selected to receive the extra services, you will receive regular or “usual” services.

Can My Answers Affect the Group To Which I Am Assigned?

No. The chance of being assigned to the group that receives extra services or the group that does not receive extra services will not be influenced by what you say to program staff or to evaluation staff during today’s interview.

When Will I Be Notified About My Group Assignment?

I will let you know if you are assigned to the group that will receive extra services or to the group that will receive regular or “usual” services after you complete the interview.

What Happens If I Don’t Get Into the Group That Receives Extra Services?

If you are not randomly assigned to participate in the group that receives extra services, I will provide you with information on other services that are normally available to those in your situation. It is important that you understand that even though you are not receiving the extra services, you will still be part of the study so that researchers can compare your experiences to those who are selected to receive the extra services. In order to be able to do this, the researchers will collect and track information about you, including your participation in other state and federal programs, as well as your credit score.

Once I Am Randomly Assigned, Can I Switch Groups?

No, random assignment is final.

Will I Be Paid For Doing The Survey Today?

Yes, you will receive a $10 gift card as a token of our appreciation.

Do I Have To Pay For the Extra Services?

No, if you are randomly selected to receive the extra services, they will be provided at no cost to you.

How Will Participating in the Study Help Me And My Family?

The information you provide will be used to help the government provide the types of services that best serve families in your community. You have a chance to make a difference. Your answers could help in providing services in the future to other parents like you.

If you are assigned to the group that receives the extra services, you will receive these services, which could better enable you to meet your child support obligations.

Will This Affect The Benefits That I Now Receive From The Government?

No. Your participation in the study is voluntary and will not affect any benefits you receive now or apply for in the future. The information you provide is solely for research purposes and will be strictly private. Any published information will be on groups of people, not on individuals.

Will The Information I Provide Be Kept Private?

The information you provide to the researchers will be kept strictly private. Anything you tell the program staff or the researchers will not be shared with anyone, except as required by law. The information you provide will be used for research purposes only. Individual information gathered on you will not be shared with anyone.

What Kinds Of Questions Are They Going To Ask?

The researchers are interested in talking to you about your children and their [mothers/fathers]; your relationships with them; your romantic relationships; if you are working and where you currently live; and some questions about your background.

Who Can I Contact With More Questions?

If you have further questions about the study, you can contact Maria Cancian or Dan Meyer at the University of Wisconsin, at 608-262-6358. You can also reach the University of Wisconsin Institutional Review Board at 608-262-2320.

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 [FILL NUMBER].  Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 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: ACF Reports Clearance Officer [FILL ADDRESS].