Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) National Needs Assessment
Formative Data Collections for Program Support
0970 – 0531
Supporting Statement
Part B – Statistical Methods
June 2021
Submitted by:
Family and Youth Services Bureau
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
3rd Floor, Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
Project Officers:
Tyanna Williams
Sanzanna Dean
B1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods
All 360 Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees will receive the National Needs Assessment survey. We ask that each organization complete only one survey that represents the needs of their FYSB-funded RHY program(s).
B2. Procedures for Collection of Information
The survey is administered via REDCap, a secure web platform for building and managing online surveys. Grantees will receive an email about the survey, with a link to the survey that will take them directly to the first page of the survey. Respondents answer survey questions and submit the survey directly in REDCap. This information is received and analyzed by RHYTTAC.
B3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse
Site Responses
We anticipate roughly two-thirds of the 360 grantee organizations to respond, or roughly 240 responses. We anticipate grantees will want to respond as the feedback they provide will allow for more targeted TA to meet their needs and benefit their programs and the young people they serve.
Dealing with Nonresponse
Up to two reminders will be sent via email communication encouraging completion of the national needs assessment. As participants will not be randomly sampled and findings are not intended to be representative, non-response bias will not be calculated.
Maximizing Responses
We have created a communications plan to maximize participation. We will create and share a video with grantees about the survey that provides guidance on completing the survey. Within the first week of the survey launch, we will host an online “office hour” for grantees to ask any questions they may have about the survey or in completing the survey. We will provide contact information for a Chapin Hall researcher to address any questions that may arise. Additionally, we plan one or two reminder emails to encourage completion.
Finally, the RHY Regional Grantee Training occurred in May 2021. The training event provided an opportunity for FYSB and RHYTTAC staff to alert participants about an upcoming survey and encourage completion.
B4. Tests of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken
All data collected on the survey are binary or categorical, so we will conduct univariate and bivariate descriptive analyses using frequency distributions and cross-tabulations. We will also test for significant differences using Chi-square tests. For open text questions in the survey, we will conduct thematic qualitative analysis to identify common topics, ideas, and patterns of meaning that emerge from participants’ responses.
B5. Individual(s) Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data
Researchers at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago are leading the data collection and analysis efforts. This includes the following individuals:
Research Fellow Matthew Morton
Researcher Melissa Kull
Researcher Colleen Schlecht
Associate Researcher Angela Garza
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
File Title | OPRE OMB Clearance Manual |
Author | DHHS |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-08-16 |