Memo - Nonsub change - Update consents

DATE: March 3, 2017

TO: Steph Tatham

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

FROM: Caryn Blitz

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE)

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Angie Webley

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

SUBJECT: Request for Non-Substantive Change to the Evaluation of the Transitional Living Program (TLP) (0970-0383).

This memo requests updates to the youth and parental consent forms that are attachments to the information collection for the Evaluation of the Transitional Living Program (TLP) (0970-0383). The Evaluation of the TLP is focused on identifying long-term housing outcomes for youth after exiting the program. The study will provide information on housing services available to youth upon exiting the program, including assistance in locating and retaining permanent housing and referrals to other residential programs. In addition, the study will identify housing models and placement strategies that prevent future episodes of homelessness.

Nonsubstantive change request

Overview

The Federal contractor, Abt Associates, was directed by its Institutional Review Board (IRB) to provide more clarity to potential control group participants after a youth assigned to the control group at one study site was upset she couldn’t enroll at another nearby TLP, and subsequently dropped out of the study. The new language informs parents and youth that if they are not selected for the treatment group, they will not be offered a bed at the TLP and will not be eligible to enroll at other TLPs in the community, which are listed by name. Parents and youth are also informed that when the study is completed, youth are eligible to re-enroll at the study site TLP or the other TLPs in the community.