Appendix G2 - Focus Group Correspondence-Recruitment Script (Revised)

APPENDIX G2 - Focus Group Correspondence-Recruitment Script

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OMB No. 0584-XXXX

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

CREENER AND SCRIPT FOR FOCUS GROUP RECRUITMENT

(SNAP Procedural Denial Individuals)

[GOAL IS TO RECRUIT 25 PEOPLE TO SEAT 10]

ASK FOR PERSON NAMED ON SNAP PROGRAM LIST

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According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

ello. My name is ____________________, and I’m calling from Mathematica Policy Research, an independent research organization that is not part of the government. We are conducting a study for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to learn about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP and how the application process works in [STATE]. We were given your name by the state [AGENCY NAME].

Let me assure you that this is not a sales call and at no time during our discussion will you be asked to donate money. We are simply interested in your opinions. Today, I would like to just ask some easy questions. Then, there will be an in-person discussion group on a different day. If you are invited to attend, you will receive a cash incentive for your time and will receive light refreshments. The questions I ask today will only be used to identify some people to participate in our discussion group, and the answers you give me will not be shared with anyone outside of our research team. Your answers to these simple questions will not affect any benefits you may receive from the government.

If you would like to participate and if you qualify, the in-person discussion will be held at [location] at [date and times] and will last approximately 1 1/2 hours. You will receive $30 as a thank you for your time.

Since we are looking for a wide variety of people who can represent different perspectives, I need to ask you a few questions about your background.

1. Would you be willing to answer these questions?

¨ Yes....................................................................................GO TO Q.2

¨ No..................................................................................... TERMINATE

IF NO, SAY “Thank you for your time. These are all the questions I have for you today.”

2. Did you recently apply for SNAP benefits in the previous three months?

¨ Yes....................................................................................GO TO Q.3

¨ No..................................................................................... TERMINATE

IF NO, SAY “Thank you for your time. Since you applied for SNAP benefits more than three months ago, these are all the questions I have for you today.”

3. Was your SNAP application denied?

¨ Yes....................................................................................GO TO Q.4

¨ No..................................................................................... TERMINATE

IF NO, SAY “Thank you for your time. Since your SNAP application was not denied, these are all the questions I have for you today.”

4. Was your SNAP application for a recertification of benefits?

¨ Yes....................................................................................TERMINATE

¨ No..................................................................................... GO TO Q. 5

IF YES, SAY “Thank you for your time. Because this was not an initial application, these are all the questions I have for you today.”

[THE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS WILL HELP US GET A DIVERSE GROUP FOR THE DISCUSSION.]

5. RECORD GENDER: (Confirm if needed)

¨ Female

¨ Male

6. Which of the following categories includes your age? (READ & RECORD)

¨ 18-24

¨ 25-34

¨ 35-44

¨ 45-59

¨ 60+

7. Are you currently working?

¨ Yes, Working

¨ No, Not working

8. Do you consider yourself to be of Hispanic or Latino origin?

PROBE: Hispanic or Latino/a origin includes, Mexican American or Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or some other Hispanic origin or descent

¨ Yes, Hispanic or Latino origin

¨ No, Not Hispanic or Latino

9. What language are you most comfortable speaking?

¨ English............................GO TO Q.9b

¨ Spanish............................GO TO Q.9a

¨ Other................................GO TO Q.9a

9a. How well would you say you understand and speak English?

¨ Not at all THANK AND TERMINATE

¨ Not well THANK AND TERMINATE

¨ Well

¨ Very well

9b. What race or races do you consider yourself? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

¨ American Indian or Alaska Native

¨ Asian

¨ Black/African-American

¨ Hispanic or Latino

¨ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

¨ White

10. Finally, could you briefly tell me about your last food shopping experience?

PROBE: What did you purchase?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

[THE ABOVE QUESTION IS INCLUDED TO DETERMINE THE RESPONDENT’S LEVEL OF ARTICULATENESS AND THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO TALK OPENLY. IF THE RESPONDENT HESITATES IN ANSWERING THE QUESTION OR HAS A POOR COMMAND OF ENGLISH (IF RECRUITING FOR ENGLISH GROUPS), THEN SAY “Thank you for your time. These are all the questions I have for you today. Your particular set experiences are not what this discussion group will be focusing on.”]

INVITATION

Thank you for answering all of my questions. As part of our study, we are conducting a discussion group related to the SNAP in [STATE]. The purpose of the discussion group is to learn about your experiences with the different stages of the SNAP application process and understand what makes completing the application difficult. As mentioned earlier, we will not try to sell you anything or use your name for other purposes than this research. All information collected in connection with this study will be kept private and used only for research purposes. Your name will not be used in reporting the results of the study and your answers will not affect your eligibility for any programs. We will destroy all of the contact information we have about you, such as your name, number, and address, after the discussion group is complete. Participation in this study is voluntary. Deciding to participate or not to participate will not affect any benefits you are receiving or will be eligible to receive in the future.

The group will consist of approximately 9 other people, such as yourself, and a discussion leader. You are invited to attend the group that will take place at [TIME] on [DATE]. It will be held at [LOCATION]. The group will last about one and a-half hours and you will receive $30 as a token of our appreciation. This incentive will not affect your potential eligibility for SNAP benefits in the future. A light meal and refreshments will also be served.

11. Will you be able to attend?

¨ YES………………………GO TO “MORE INFORMATION” SECTION

¨ NO………………………. GO TO “TRANSPORTATION” SECTION

TRANSPORTATION

12. Is lack of transportation the main reason you are not able to participate in the discussion?

¨ YES……………………..… READ “YES” TEXT BELOW

¨ NO………………………… READ “NO” TEXT BELOW AND TERMINATE

IF YES, SAY, “Perhaps you can ask a family member, neighbor, or friend to drive you to the discussion group. We can reimburse transportation expenses (such as bus or cab fare, or parking charges), which would be in addition to the $30 incentive you will receive for participating in the discussion group.

12a. Will you now be able to attend?

¨ YES……………………..… READ “YES” TEXT BELOW

¨ NO………………………… READ “NO” TEXT BELOW AND TERMINATE

IF NO TO 12 OR 12a, SAY, “Thank you for your time. These are all the questions I have for you today.”

MORE INFORMATION

So that we can start and end on time, please plan to arrive about 15 minutes early to meet the other participants and have refreshments.

We are counting on your participation, so please be sure to call us as soon as possible if you find you can't attend so we can find a replacement. The phone number here is xxx-xxx-xxxx

Before we finish, let me make sure I have the correct spelling of your name and also get your address and phone number(s) so that we can send you a confirmation letter with directions and give you a reminder phone call.

FIRST AND LAST NAME: ________________________________________________

HOME PHONE: ________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________

PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________

WORK PHONE:_________________________________________________________

Thank you very much for your time today. We look forward to getting the chance to listen to your opinions and learn from your experiences at the discussion group. We’ll see you there!

Recruiter’s name _______________________________ Date____________________

Confirmed by __________________________________ Date____________________