Attachment O.Supplemental Materials for Case Study Recruitment Activities

ATTACHMENT o: SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS FOR CASE STUDY

RECRUITMENT AND ACTIVITIES MATHEMATICA POLICY RESEARCH

ATTACHMENT o

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS FOR
CASE STUDY RECRUITMENT AND ACTIVITIES

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CASE STUDY RECRUITMENT EMAIL FOR PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE DIRECTORS

Format: Email

Subject: Invitation from ACF to participate in Case Studies

Hello [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME],

We want to thank you again for your support of the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Study thus far and let you know that your partnership has been selected as a case study site! This is an exciting opportunity for the study team to get a more in depth view of the structure and characteristics of your partnership model. We will begin conducting site visits the week of [insert date] and hope to complete all visits by [insert date].

The length of each site visit will be about 2.5 days. During that time we will conduct various individual and group interviews with you and your staff, your child care partners, and state and local stakeholders. All partnership grantee directors and child care partners will also be asked to complete a questionnaire.

To schedule the visits at a convenient time for you, we’d like to schedule a call to discuss the visits and explore potential dates. Please let me know which of the following times would work for you to talk with me:

[PROVIDE POTENTIAL SLOTS]

During the call, we will:

1. Review the site visit activities

2. Discuss a tentative date for the visit

3. Identify individuals to participate in the staff and stakeholder interviews

4. Plan how best to set the site visit agenda

5. Get contact information for interview participants

Following the coordination call, a member of our team will send you a memo that outlines the site visit dates, activities, and participants we agree on. Then we can begin making arrangements for the visit.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns—and please let me know your availability for the initial call.

Best,

NAME

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

Case Study Recruitment Memo for Grantee Directors

MEMORANDUM

P.O. Box 2393 Princeton, NJ 08543-2393 Telephone (609) 799-3535 Fax (609) 799-0005 www.mathematica-mpr.com

TO: <<Partnership Grantee Director>>

FROM: <<Scheduler>> DATE: <<fill date>>

SUBJECT: Study of Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships: Case Study Activities and Schedule

I am following up on our conversation about the Study of Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships case study site visit. This memo proposes dates for the visit and describes the activities and participants we discussed.

Schedule

Based on our discussion, I would like to suggest conducting the visit over a <<x>> day period during the week of/between <<dates>>. Please let me know as soon as possible which dates work best for you.

During the visit, we will conduct interviews at <<grantee organization>>. We will conduct focus groups at <<grantee organization, community center, child care partner locations, or other locations>>. We plan to conduct interviews with state and local partners by telephone after the visit. The rest of this memo provides guidelines for planning the agenda for the site visit.

Activities and Participants

The purpose of the case study is to gain in depth knowledge about how the partnership models operate, challenges encountered, and lessons learned. Attachment 1 lists the interviews and focus groups we propose conducting during the visit, and the length of each. Attachment 2 lists the general topics we will cover in each.

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

We would like to begin the visit with our interview with the partnership grantee director. The timing of the key staff interviews and focus groups is flexible. We can accommodate early morning or evening times if needed. We would like to ensure that we are able to conduct all the interviews and focus groups needed, with the least amount of disruption to your team and partners. Attachment 3 is a scheduling tool that you may use to arrange dates and times; it includes the preliminary list of participants for interviews that we discussed during our call.

Child Care Partners and Parents

Attachment 4 is a list the child care centers and family child care providers you reported partnering with as of [MONTH/DATE] when you completed the web-based survey. Please review this list for accuracy and indicate if you are no longer partnering with any of the entities listed. For those partners listed that you are still partnering with, please confirm the contact information and make any needed updates. Finally, please add to the list the names and contact information of any new partners you have added since [MONTH/DATE].

We will use this information to send out questionnaires to each child care partner. We will also use this information to select a subset of child care centers [and family child care providers] that we will target for the focus groups. We will work directly with child care center directors to recruit them and one teacher from their center for the focus groups. [We will also contact the family child care providers directly to invite them to participate.]

Once we have selected the child care centers [and family child care providers] for the focus groups, we will contact you about providing lists of children enrolled in partnership slots at each. From these lists, we will select families that our team will invite to the parent focus group.

Next Steps

For planning the agenda, we will <<insert any follow up steps for us>> and you will <<insert any follow up steps for them>>, as agreed upon during our earlier discussions. We also would appreciate your recommendations about convenient locations for the interviews and focus groups, as well as hotels for our stay and any other logistical tips.

I will be in touch in the next few days to discuss any questions you might have and check in on your progress scheduling the visit. We look forward to meeting with you, and we thank you in advance for your help in making our site visit a success. If you have any questions let me know, or feel free to contact Diane Paulsell at Mathematica ([email protected], (609) 275-2297).

cc: <<other site leaders>>

ATTACHMENT 1
SAMPLE AGENDA

Activity and Participants	Approximate Time	Schedule (Illustrative)
Interview with partnership grantee director	60 minutes	Day 1 1- 2 pm
Child care center director focus group	90 minutes	Day 1 2:30-4 pm
Family child care provider focus group	90 minutes	Day 1 6-7:30 pm
Interview with partnership staff	60 minutes	Day 2 9-10 am
Interview with partnership staff	60 minutes	Day 2 10:30-11:30 am
Lunch and travel to location #2
Interview with partnership staff	60 minutes	Day 2 1- 2 pm
Child care center teacher focus group	90 minutes	Day 2 6:30-8 pm
Parent focus group	90 minutes	Day 3 12- 1:30 pm

ATTACHMENT 2
INTERVIEW AND FOCUS GROUP TOPICS

Activity and Participants	Interview topics
Interview with partnership grantee director	Experience with collaboration Partnership development Assessing strengths and needs Developing quality improvement plans Monitoring implementation of quality improvement plans Training and supporting staff working in partnerships Networking among infant-toddler service providers Implementing family partnership agreements Facilitating continuity of care and smooth transitions for children Identifying rule misalignment with other early care and education systems Coordinating quality improvement and professional development among early care and education systems
Interview with partnership staff	Experience with collaboration Assessing strengths and needs Developing quality improvement plans Monitoring implementation of quality improvement plans Training and supporting staff working in partnerships Networking among infant-toddler service providers Implementing family partnership agreements
Parent focus group	Child care needs and preferences Selecting child care arrangement Satisfaction with child care arrangement Access to comprehensive service through child care arrangement
Child care center teacher focus group	Training and support available through partnerships Networking among infant-toddler service providers Implementing family partnership agreements
Child care center director focus group	Experience with collaboration Partnership development Assessing strengths and needs Developing quality improvement plans Monitoring implementation of quality improvement plans Training and support available to staff working in partnerships
Family child care provider focus group	Experience with collaboration Partnership development Assessing strengths and needs Developing quality improvement plans Monitoring implementation of quality improvement plans Training and support available through partnerships Networking among infant-toddler service providers Implementing family partnership agreements
State and local stakeholder interview	Facilitating continuity of care and smooth transitions for children Identifying rule misalignment with other early care and education systems Coordinating quality improvement and professional development among early care and education systems

ATTACHMENT 3
SCHEDULING TOOL

In person interviews

Activity and Participants
Interview with partnership grantee director Interviewee: <<name, title>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________
Interview with partnership staff Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________
Interview with partnership staff Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________
Interview with partnership staff Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________

Focus groups

Activity and Participants
Parent focus group	90 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________
Child care center teacher focus group	90 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________
Child care center director focus group	90 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________
Family child care provider focus group	90 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________ Location: _________

Telephone interviews

Activity and Participants
State and local stakeholder interview Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________
State and local stakeholder interview Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________
State and local stakeholder interview Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________
State and local stakeholder interview Interviewee: <<name(s), title(s)>>	60 minutes Date:___________ Time:___________

ATTACHMENT 4
CHILD CARE PARTNERS

Child care partner	Contact information	Status
Child care centers
Family child care providers

Case Study Recruitment Script for Grantee Directors

Goals of the call:

1. Introduce yourself

2. Describe the purpose of the case studies

3. Provide an overview of the case study activities

4. Begin identifying participants

5. Summarize next steps

A. INTRODUCTION

Hello, my name is [name]. I am calling from Mathematica Policy Research in regards to the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships Study.

We want to thank you again for your support of the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Study thus far. As we explained in the email we sent you on [DATE], we are reaching out to you because your program was selected as a case study site. This is an exciting opportunity for the study team to get a more in depth view of the structure and characteristics of your partnership model. Mathematica is conducting the study for the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You are under no obligation to participate in the case study. 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 number for this collection is 0970-XXXX and the expiration date is XX/XX/XXXX.

I would like to briefly review the study purpose and activities and discuss your participation. We hope you agree to help us.

B. STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to learn about how the partnerships are formed and operate, including the models of partnerships used to deliver high-quality and comprehensive services to infants, toddlers, and their families. To date, you participated in a survey that was designed to document the characteristics and features of Early Head Start–child care partnerships and activities that aim to improve professional development and quality of services and better meet families’ needs. The case studies will provide the opportunity to more fully represent the perspectives of the various entities involved within the selected partnerships, including grantees, child care partner managers/owners, frontline staff, families, and other state and local stakeholders.

C. OVERVIEW OF CASE STUDY ACTIVITIES

For the case studies, we would like our trained interviewers to conduct the following activities:

• A one hour one-on-one interview with you, the grantee director.

• One hour one-on-one interviews with three key staff involved in implementing the partnership (such as staff involved in supporting quality improvement efforts or the implementation of comprehensive services).

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

• A 90 minute focus group with eight child care center directors from a group of selected child care centers.

• A 90 minute focus group with eight teachers from a group of selected child care centers.

• [IF THE GRANTEE PARTNERS WITH FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS] A 90 minute focus group with eight selected family child care providers.

• A 90 minute focus group with eight parents from a selected group of child care partners.

In addition, we plan to conduct four, one-hour telephone interviews with state and local stakeholders who provide support to oversee early childhood systems that interact with your partnerships. For example, these could be staff from child care resource and referral agencies or child care subsidy administrators.

Finally, we will be sending you and your child care partners a paper questionnaire to complete. You will receive your questionnaire by email in advance of the visit and I would like to collect the completed questionnaire while I am on site. We will mail a questionnaire to each of your current child care partners.

E. IDENTIFY PARTICIPANTS

During today’s call I would like to work with you to identify the partnership staff and if possible, we would like your help in scheduling the interviews with them. We would also like your help identifying state and local stakeholders. We will reach out to these stakeholder directly, but would appreciate it if you could let them know about the study and that we will be contacting them.

Next, I would like to share information with you about the child care partners we selected for participation in the case study and confirm their contact information with you. We will work with your partners to recruit them to participate in the focus groups, but we could use your help identifying a convenient location for the focus groups.

Finally, I would like to discuss possible dates or at least a timeframe for the visit.

Ok, let’s get started.

1. Key partnership staff

The type of staff we are interested in interviewing include staff responsible for the following:

• Managing the day to day operations of your partnerships. For example, they may work as liaisons with the child care partners.

• Supporting quality and quality improvement and/or monitoring quality or compliance with the HSPPS.

• Delivering or supporting the implementation of comprehensive services to the children and families served in partnership settings.

What are the names and titles (including the names of the organizations they work for if not your agency) for key staff in these roles?

Is there space available in your offices for us to conduct these interviews?

2. Local and state stakeholders

The type of stakeholders we are interested in interviewing include the following:

• Staff from a local or regional child care resource and referral agency or other agency (such as a family child care network) that your partnership coordinates with to support quality improvement efforts, professional development opportunities, recruitment and referrals of families, or other aspects of your partnership.

• Staff that operate a state or county child care quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) that your partnership may coordinate with to support quality improvement efforts and professional development and/or work with on issues related to QRIS standards.

• State, county, or local child care administrators that your partnership may work with to access child care subsidies, coordinate funding, and/or address questions and concerns that arise related to child care subsidies and regulations.

• State, county, or local child care administrators that your partnership may work with to address questions and concerns on child care licensing and licensing regulations.

• Other state officials (such as the Head Start Collaboration Office director, State Advisory Council members, or state directors of departments of early learning or early childhood education) that your partnership may work with to address questions and concerns related to coordinating funding, meeting standards and regulations, and other topics affecting your partnership.

What are the names and titles (including the names of the organizations they work for if not your agency) for key staff in these roles? Is it possible for you to email me contact information for these individuals?

3. Child care center director, child care center teacher, family child care provider, and parent focus groups

To identify participants for the focus groups, we will select child care partners from which we would like to invite staff and families to participate in a series of focus groups. When selecting the partners, we will identify all those located within a specific geographic area and then we will select from that group. We will select ten child care centers. From this list we will aim to recruit eight center directors and eight infant/toddler teachers working in classrooms with partnership slots. [IF GRANTEE PARTNERS WITH FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, ADD]. We will also select ten family child care providers and we will aim to recruit eight of these providers to participate in a focus group. We will also aim to recruit eight parents from across the selected partners to participate in a focus group.

Following this call, I will email you the list of child care partners you listed in the survey you completed in [MONTH/YEAR]. We will ask you to confirm that you are still in partnership with each of the selected partners; confirm the contact information for each current partner; and add any new child care partners. We will use this information to select target child care centers [and family child care providers]. Our team will then reach out to these partners to invite them to participate in the focus groups; we also hope you will reach out to them and encourage them to participate. We will also use this information for mailing the questionnaires.

Once we have selected the child care partners we will target for the focus groups, we will ask you to provide lists of the children enrolled in each. These should be children that are currently enrolled. From this list, we will select 12 and will aim to recruit 8 parents to participate in a focus group.

Do you have any recommendations for a central location where we might convene the focus groups? We find that using a location that the participants are familiar with and is conveniently located can help with recruitment. For example, do you have a training room at your offices or the offices of a local partner where you hold professional development activities for child care center directors, teachers, and/or family child care providers? Is there a community center or other location where parents might frequent or where you hold events for parents?

F. SUMMARIZE NEXT STEPS

Before we end the call, do you have any preferred dates for the visit? Are there any dates that you know do not work for you or your partners?

Thank you for your time and willingness to help us with this important study. Based on the information you shared with us about your program, we will prepare and send you a memo that summarizes the case study activities and the participants we identified so far. This memo will also include a list of your child care partners for your review and confirmation. Finally the memo will describe the steps involved in scheduling the visit and the interviews and focus groups.

Do you have any questions about anything we have discussed today? Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me, and I will be in touch soon.

case study recruitment email for child care center directors

Format: Email

Subject: Invitation from ACF to participate in a focus group about early head start-child care partnerships

Dear [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME],

As you may know, Mathematica Policy Research is conducting the Study of Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships for the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Your child care center has been selected to participate in a focus group, aimed at learning more about your experiences with working in partnership with [PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE]. Participation is voluntary; however, your input will provide ACF with important information about the national landscape of Early Head Start-child care partnerships, including information about the experiences of child care providers participating in these partnerships.

We will be holding one 90 minute focus group session with center directors and believe that your insight would be a valuable addition to the discussion. We will also be asking for your help in identifying infant/toddler teachers to participate in a separate focus group.

We will be in touch by phone in the next week to discuss the focus groups and answer any questions that you may have. Please feel free to reach out to the study team at [EMAIL] or [TELEPHONE] at any time.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

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ASE STUDY RECRUITMENT SCRIPT FOR CHILD CARE CENTER DIRECTORS

Hello my name is [insert name] and I am calling from Mathematica Policy Research about a study we are conducting of Early Head Start-child care partnerships. This study is funded by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is collecting information about the child care centers engaged in partnerships, the organizations they are partnering with, and the activities partnerships engage in to develop partnerships, improve the quality of services, and deliver services to children and families. As part of this study, your child care center has been selected to participate in a focus group, aimed at learning more about your experiences partnering with [PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE].

Participation is voluntary, and information will be kept private. 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 number for this collection is 0970-XXXX and the expiration date is XX/XX/XXXX.

We will be holding a focus group with center directors and believe that your insight would be a very valuable addition. The focus group is being held on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION]. Are you available and interested in participating?

We would also appreciate your help in identifying infant/toddler teachers to participate in a separate focus group. We are interested in meeting with teachers that have children in partnership slots in their care. The teacher focus group is being held on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION]. We would like to include one teacher from your center. Will you ask your teachers if they are interested and willing to attend? Please send us the name and contact information of the teacher that plans to attend.

In addition to collecting information from center directors and teachers, we will be reaching out to parents of children enrolled in partnership slots at your center. We will contact parents directly to invite them to participate in the focus group, but we would appreciate your assistance encouraging parents to attend and reminding them of the event. The parent focus group is being held on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION].

Each focus group will last 90 minutes. Center directors, teachers, and parents that participate in the focus groups will receive a $20 gift card as a token of appreciation for their participation. We will offer child care during the parent focus group.

Please feel free to reach out to me or the study team at [TELEPHONE] if you have any questions.

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

case study recruitment email for FAMILY child care PROVIDERS

Format: Email

Subject: Invitation from ACF to participate in a focus group about early head start-child care partnerships

Dear [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME],

As you may know, Mathematica Policy Research is conducting the Study of Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships for the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You have been selected to participate in a focus group, aimed at learning more about your experiences with working in partnership with [PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE]. Participation is voluntary; however, your input will provide ACF with important information about the national landscape of Early Head Start-child care partnerships, including information about the experiences of family child care providers participating in these partnerships.

We will be holding a 90 minute focus group session with family child care providers and believe that your insight would be a valuable addition to the discussion.

We will be in touch by phone in the next week to discuss the focus group and answer any questions that you may have. Please feel free to reach out to the study team at [EMAIL] or [TELEPHONE] at any time.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

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ASE STUDY RECRUITMENT SCRIPT FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

Hello my name is [insert name] and I am calling from Mathematica Policy Research about a study we are conducting of Early Head Start-child care partnerships. This study is funded by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is collecting information about the family child care providers engaged in partnerships, the organizations they are partnering with, and the activities partnerships engage in to develop partnerships, improve the quality of services, and deliver services to children and families. As part of this study, you have been selected to participate in a focus group, aimed at learning more about your experiences partnering with [PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE].

Participation is voluntary, and information will be kept private. 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 number for this collection is 0970-XXXX and the expiration date is XX/XX/XXXX.

We will be holding a focus group with family child care providers and believe that your insight would be a very valuable addition. The focus group is being held on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION]. Are you available and interested in participating?

In addition to collecting information from you, we will be reaching out to parents of children enrolled in partnership slots that you care for. We will contact parents directly to invite them to participate in the focus group, but we would appreciate your assistance encouraging them to attend and reminding them of the event. The parent focus group is being held on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION].

Each focus group will last 90 minutes. Family child care providers and parents that participate in the focus groups will receive a $20 gift card as a token of appreciation for their participation. We will offer child care during the parent focus group.

Please feel free to reach out to me or the study team at [TELEPHONE] if you have any questions.

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

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ASE STUDY RECRUITMENT LETTER FOR PARENTS

Dear [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME],

Mathematica Policy Research is conducting the Study of Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships; these are partnerships between organizations in your community that provide child care and other services (like assessments and parenting classes) to infants and toddlers and their families. The study is funded by Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You have been identified as having a child enrolled in a [child care center/family child care home] that is in a partnership and selected you to participate in a focus group, aimed at learning more about the care your child receives at [CHILD CARE PARTNER] and the services you receive from [CHILD CARE PARTNER AND PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE]. Participation is voluntary; however, your input will provide ACF with important information about these partnerships, including information about the experiences of families whose children are enrolled in these partnerships.

We will be holding a 90 minute focus group session with parents and believe that your insight would be a valuable addition to the discussion.

We will be in touch by phone in the next week to discuss the focus group and answer any questions that you may have. Please feel free to reach out to the study team at [EMAIL] or [TELEPHONE] at any time.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

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ASE STUDY RECRUITMENT SCRIPT FOR PARENTS

Hello my name is [insert name] and I am calling from Mathematica Policy Research about a study we are conducting of Early Head Start-child care partnerships; these are partnerships between organizations in your community that provide child care and other services (like assessments and parenting classes) to infants and toddlers and their families. The study is funded by Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We are calling you because we identified you as having a child enrolled in a [child care center/family child care home] that is in a partnership and so we would like to invite you to participate in a focus group with other parents from your community. We are interested in learning about the care your child receives at [CHILD CARE PARTNER] and the services you receive from [CHILD CARE PARTNER AND PARTNERSHIP GRANTEE]. Participation is voluntary; however, your input will provide us with important information about these partnerships, including information about the experiences of families whose children are enrolled in these partnerships.

We will be holding the focus group with parents on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION]. The focus group will last 90 minutes. Parents that participate will receive a $20 gift card as a token of appreciation for their participation. We will offer child care during the parent focus group.

Participation is voluntary, and information will be kept private. 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 number for this collection is 0970-XXXX and the expiration date is XX/XX/XXXX. Are you available and interested in participating?

Please feel free to reach out to me or the study team at [TELEPHONE] if you have any questions.

The Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to learn about the characteristics and implementation of Early Head Start–child care partnerships. 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. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to [Contact Name]; [Contact Address]; Attn: OMB-PRA (0970-[XXXX]).

CASE STUDY RECRUITMENT Flyer FOR PARENTS

DRAFT