F.1_Study Brochure

ATTACHMENT F.1

STUDY BROCHURE

english

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this study about? The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to test some innovative strategies in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) programs in 10 states to help people find and keep jobs. USDA also wants to learn more about the challenges people face when looking for work.

What is this interview about? We will ask about education and training programs you have participated in recently and the jobs you have had in the past, as well as your experience and challenges in looking for jobs. We will also ask about your experience in SNAP E&T programs, if you participated in them. Remember, all of the information you give will be kept private. The information you provide will not affect your SNAP benefits or your eligibility to receive benefits from any other program.

How did you get my address or phone number? About a year ago, while enrolling in SNAP E&T services, you filled out paperwork including a consent form to participate in a study. At that time you also provided your contact information on how to reach you to complete the surveys that are part of the study.

Who will use this information, and how? USDA will use the findings from this study to learn more about how the new employment and training services provided in your state affect the people who use them. Your name and contact information will never be linked to the study or listed in any reports.

Do I have to participate? Taking part in this study is voluntary. You may choose whether to participate or not. There are no penalties if you choose not to participate in part or in whole. Your participation is very important. If you choose not to participate, the information we collect in the study will be a little bit less accurate.

Will my information remain private? I understand your concerns about privacy. Federal law requires that our company maintain privacy. Your name and any information you give will not be used or shared with any other group or company, except as required by law. The results from the survey will be reported only in combined totals with all the other people who take part, never as individual answers. We will not sell or give away your contact information or add you to any kind of mailing list.

How long will this take? It varies somewhat from person to person, but the average time to complete the interview is around 32 minutes.

If I do not take part, will they take away my benefits? This study is completely voluntary. Your choice to take part or not to take part in the study (or to stop the interview after you begin) will not have any effect on benefits you may receive, either now or in the future. Taking part is completely voluntary, but your contribution is very important to the success of the study.

I am not satisfied with the SNAP E&T program. That is a good reason to complete the survey. Your comments will be especially important because USDA is interested in the different perspectives of people who use or have used the SNAP E&T program. Your input can help improve these programs.

Why do you need my job history? Your job history is important for us because it helps us learn more about the experiences of people who are participating or have participated in the SNAP E&T pilot program, the types of jobs they get, and whether the services they received through the program were useful. And even if you did not participate in the program, we would still like to learn about the types of jobs you were able to get on your own.

Whom do you work for? I work for (Mathematica Policy Research/Decision Information Resources). We are a private company that conducts objective research and evaluations. We were hired to do this study on behalf of USDA/FNS.

I want to contact the survey director/person in charge. Who is that? The name of the survey director is Rhoda Cohen. You can write to her at:

Rhoda Cohen

Evaluation of the SNAP E&T Pilots

Mathematica Policy Research

P.O. Box 2393

Princeton, NJ 08543-2393