Advance Survey Letter

Kristina Rall Survey Director, National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation

1100 1st Street, NE, 12th Floor Washington, DC 20002-4221 Telephone (202) 484-9220 Fax (202) 863-1763 www.mathematica-mpr.com

[Youth Name]

[Youth Address]

Dear [First Name]:

During your time at [FILL NAME OF JOB CHALLENGE PROGRAM], you agreed to participate in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation. As a reminder, the study aims to learn more about the Youth ChalleNGe and Job ChalleNGe programs and the outcomes of the youth they serve. The study is run by three organizations: Mathematica Policy Research, MDRC, and Social Policy Research Associates. The U.S. Department of Labor is sponsoring the study.

As part of the study, we invite you to answer a series of brief monthly surveys about your work, education, and military experiences since leaving Job Challenge. We will send the text messages to the phone number you provided once a month, for the next eight months.

Each month, the questions will take about four minutes for you to complete by replying to our text messages. After you complete each month’s questions, we will send you a thank you text with an Amazon gift code worth $3. If you complete all eight months of text message surveys, you could receive a total of $24.

Please look out for our first text message to be delivered on [DATE]. We have included the telephone number you provided at the end of this letter. If your phone number has changed, please follow the instructions below to let us know.

Here are some points to keep in mind about the surveys:

• The study team will use your information for research purposes only, to learn about how these programs work and how they may help people. The team will follow strict rules to protect your privacy. Your information will be kept private. Your name will never be used in any report written for the project.

• The decision to participate in the surveys is your choice. There is no penalty if you do not participate. You may choose not to answer our questions at any time.

• These surveys will not affect any employment, educational, or military experiences or services you may be receiving. No one from your job, school, or any other programs or organizations will see your answers.

• Please know that, depending on your text message service plan, normal texting fees may apply for any communications with the research team as part of these surveys.

If you have questions about the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation, or these brief monthly surveys, please call the study team at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX. This call is free.

According to our records, your cell phone number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. If this phone number is incorrect, please call the study team at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX so that we may update our records.

Thanks again for participating in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation.

Sincerely,

Kristina Rall

Kristina Rall Survey Director, National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation

1100 1st Street, NE, 12th Floor Washington, DC 20002-4221 Telephone (202) 484-9220 Fax (202) 863-1763 www.mathematica-mpr.com

[Youth Name]

[Youth Address]

Dear [First Name]:

During your time at [FILL NAME OF JOB CHALLENGE PROGRAM], you agreed to participate in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation. As a reminder, the study aims to learn more about the Youth ChalleNGe and Job ChalleNGe program and the outcomes of the youth they serve. The study is run by three organizations: Mathematica Policy Research, MDRC, and Social Policy Research Associates. The U.S. Department of Labor is sponsoring the study.

To take the survey online, go to [URL].

Use the log-in ID and password shown below:

Log-in ID: XXXXXX

Password: XXXXXXXX

As part of the study, we invite you to complete a short follow-up survey about your experiences during the [FILL NAME OF JOB CHALLENGE PROGRAM] and various experiences you’ve had since leaving the program, including your work experiences and earnings, and educational experiences. You will be able to take it using any device connected to the internet, including a smartphone. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. If you complete the survey within the first six week after receiving the email, you will receive an Amazon gift code in the amount of $30. If you complete the survey after first the six weeks, you will receive $20. This Amazon gift code will be available on screen immediately after you finish the survey, and can also be delivered via email or text message.

Please complete the survey as soon as you can. Here are some points to keep in mind:

• The study team will use your information for research purposes only, to learn about how these programs work and how they may help people. The team will follow strict rules to protect your privacy. Your information will be kept private. Your name will never be used in any report written for the project.

• The decision to participate in the survey is your choice. There is no penalty if you do not participate. There are no risks from taking part in the survey. However, you may be asked sensitive questions. You may choose not to answer those questions.

• The survey will not affect any employment, educational, or military experiences or services you may be receiving. No one from your job, school, or any other programs or organizations will see your answers.

If you have questions about the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation, or this survey, please call the study team at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX. This call is free.

Thanks again for participating in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Job ChalleNGe Evaluation.

Sincerely,

Kristina Rall

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer