FACES 2014_2018 AIAN overview memo

901 D Street SW, Washington DC 20447 www.acf.hhs.gov

TO: OMB

FROM: ACF/OPRE

DATE: 5/20/2015

RE: FACES 2014-2018: Update to office of management and budget Informaiton collection request package 0970-0151

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) previously obtained approval for multiple activities associated with the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES), including: recruitment of 230 Head Start programs to support its “Core Plus” design (0970-0151, approved April 7, 2014), and data collection activities related to fall 2014 and spring 2015 Core data collection activities (approved July 7, 2014 and February 20, 2015, respectively). This memorandum is in regard to an information collection clearance package for a new FACES Plus study—FACES data collection to examine the Head Start experiences of children and families who attend Head Start programs in Region XI (American Indian and Alaska Native programs) — to occur in fall 2015 and spring 2016.

Historically, FACES has not included Region XI pro­grams, children and families in its national Head Start samples. As a result, we have little data that can be used to assess the service needs of the children and families in Region XI and to help inform policies and practices for addressing these needs. The American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (AI/AN FACES) Plus study is being designed to fill this information gap. This Plus study is modeled on the FACES Core design to include multiple sources of information to understand children and families. It will parallel approved FACES Core study fall 2014 and spring 2015 data collection by collecting information in the fall 2015 and spring 2016 program year from children and families, and in spring 2016 from teachers, directors, and through classroom observations.

In recognition of the sensitive nature of conducting research with this population, Region XI Head Start directors, researchers, and federal staff formed an AI/AN FACES Workgroup to inform the design the Plus study. The members of the work group share a commitment to addressing cultural issues in deciding how the study will be carried out and in reviewing FACES measures to ensure they are appropriate to assess the growth and develop­ment of children served by Region XI Head Start programs. While we did not seek consensus recommendations from the work group, the proposed information collection reflects insights and suggestions from the individual members.

The Workgroup’s discussions have focused on two important questions: 1) What kinds of information are needed to describe Region XI Head Start programs, children, and families, and how should this information be gathered? and, 2) What are the necessary steps for engaging Region XI Head Start programs, tribal communities and leaders so that they are fully informed when it comes to considering participation? To address the first question, the Workgroup members have been reviewing the kinds of information collected in the FACES Core study and evaluating whether AI/AN FACES will ask the same questions, whether existing questions need to be adapted or if questions need to be added to fully assess Head Start programs, children, and families in this unique and diverse cultural context. To address the second question, members of the Workgroup provided insights from their experiences, observed the Office of Head Start Tribal Consultations between March and October 2014 and drew on their familiarity with a range of stakeholder groups.

The proposed method of data collection for fall 2015 (subject of the current information collection clearance request) parallels that approved for the Core FACES study for fall 2014: conducting child assessments and parent surveys and obtaining Head Start teacher reports on children’s development. However, the fall 2015 respondent materials and instruments (in particular, the parent survey) have some modifications based on the recommendations of the AI/AN FACES Workgroup.

For the AI/AN FACES fall 2015 data collection, the following materials are enclosed:

• Supporting Statement A

• Supporting Statement B

New appendices document modifications to the previously approved respondent materials (Appendix K) and the instruments (see Appendix L for a comparison of Core FACES instruments and AI/AN FACES instruments included in this submission).

This memorandum serves to provide additional context to the collaborative design process engaging key stakeholders to ensure a culturally relevant study of Region XI programs, children and families.