The Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) seeks approval for data collection necessary to conduct a
rigorous evaluation of the Family Unification Program. Although
considerable research over the past several decades documents the
overlap between child welfare involvement and homelessness, very
little is known about the effectiveness of housing vouchers aimed
at improving child welfare outcomes and reducing housing
instability. The Family Unification Program (FUP), a program of the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides
child welfare–involved families with permanent Housing Choice
Vouchers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning,
Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) plans to conduct a rigorous
evaluation of FUP to build the evidence on the effectiveness of
housing vouchers for child welfare involved families. We are
seeking OMB approval to collect data for the rigorous evaluation.
These activities include interviews with agency heads, program
leaders, leaders at partner organizations, and parents; focus
groups with front-line staff; and collection of program and
administrative data. This evaluation is part of a larger project to
help ACF build the evidence base in child welfare through rigorous
evaluation of programs, practices, and policies. It will also
contribute to HUD’s understanding of how housing can serve as a
platform for improving quality of life.
US Code:
42
USC 626 Name of Law: Title IV-E of the Social Security Act
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.