NonSub Change Memo - PREP PMAPS Updates to Instruments 1-3

TO: Josh Brammer

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)

DATE: March 10, 2020

SUBJECT: Non-Substantive Change Request – Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) Performance Measures and Adulthood Preparation Subjects (PMAPS) Studies, Data Collection Related to the Performance Measures (OMB #0970-0497).

This memo requests approval of non-substantive changes to the approved information collection, PREP Performance Measures and Adulthood Preparation Subjects (PMAPS), Data Collection Related to the Performance Measures Study (OMB #0970-0497).

Background

The approved PREP PMAPS information collection includes (1) grantee-, provider-, and program-level measures of PREP program structure and delivery, and (2) measures grantees collect through participant entry and exit surveys. The approved submission included four data collection instruments:

Instrument #1: Participant entry survey

Instrument #2: Participant exit survey

Instrument #3: Performance reporting system data form – grantees

Instrument #4: Performance reporting system data form – sub-awardees

Based on grantee and ACF leadership feedback on the participant entry and exit surveys, we have made revisions, which are reflected in this nonsubstantive change request.

Overview of Requested Changes

ACF is requesting approval for the following revisions to the planned data collection:

1. Two Versions of the Entry and Exit Surveys (Instruments #1 and #2)

• We have developed a version of the entry and exit surveys that excludes items on some of the more sensitive subjects. This version of the surveys would be available for use with youth in middle-school age groups. These are labeled Instruments #1a and #2a.

  • Items on sexual activity and incidence of pregnancy (questions 14 through 20 in the original version of the entry survey) were removed from Instrument #1a.

  • Items on participants’ perceptions of PREP’s influence on their plans to engage in sexual activity and the importance of various reasons in decisions to not have sexual intercourse (Questions 15 through 17 in the original version of the exit survey) were removed from Instrument #2a.

• We will use the original version of the entry and exit surveys with high school and older age groups, with the following updates. These are labeled Instruments #1 and #2.

  • Removal of response categories for younger ages from Question 1.

  • Removal of response categories for younger grades and inclusion of an additional response category in Question 2.

1. Edits to Questions Across All Entry and Exit Surveys

   • Delete Question #6 in all versions of the entry and exit surveys.

   • Include an additional response category to Question #8 in all versions of the entry and exit surveys.

2. Edits to Instrument #3 (Performance reporting system data form)

   • Updates were made to reflect changes to the Entry and Exit Surveys.

We do not request any changes to Instrument #4 or to the approved burden associated with the data collection. We expect the average time to complete the different versions of the surveys will remain, on average, similar to the original time estimated. The estimated number of respondents also remains the same. If, once in the field, we note a difference in average time to complete the instrument, this will be reflected in the request for an extension anticipated later this year.

Time Sensitivities

ACF requests approval by the end of March so grantees can vet the surveys with schools and other partner organizations in order to start collecting survey data using the revised instruments in July 2020. Many PREP programs are implemented in schools, and new cohorts of youth often begin receiving programming at the start of the school year. Late March approval gives PREP grantees time to obtain any approvals that are needed from their school districts and institutional review boards to administer the revised instruments.

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