UTC and CA Letters 2025

Unable to Contact Letter - Screening

Resident
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]

Dear Resident:
I am writing to let you know that your address was scientifically chosen for an important study called the National
Household Survey on Behavioral Health*. Since 1971, this study has been a trusted source of data used by local,
state and national agencies for planning and support for education, treatment and prevention programs related to
substance use and mental health.
Your participation is key to the study’s continued success, but so far, we have been unable to reach you. Here
are a few important things to know about the study:
•

Your household cannot be replaced. A limited number of addresses in your area were randomly chosen to
take part. We do not have any information about the residents other than an address.

•

Your privacy is important to us. Your responses are never connected with your address. Answers from
all participants are reported only as overall numbers.

•

We are not selling anything. We want you to have a chance to be included in the study.

Please take a few minutes today to answer general questions online about the people in your household. These
general questions will determine whether zero, one, or two household members aged 12 or older will be selected
to complete the full interview. Everyone who is selected for and completes the full interview will receive $30.
You must be an adult member of this household to respond online
To answer the questions online, go to nhsbh.rti.org/survey (or
scan the QR code below), enter your Participant Code, and follow
the on-screen instructions.

Participant Code:

To learn more about the study, visit nhsbh.rti.org. If you have any questions, please contact me toll-free at
[TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Thank you for your time. I hope you’ll choose to participate in this important study.
Sincerely,

[FS NAME], Field Supervisor
________________________
*The National Household Survey on Behavioral Health is conducted by RTI International for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an
agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [samhsa.gov] [rti.org]

Unable to Contact Letter - Interview [Adult]

Resident
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]

Attention: [age] year old resident

Dear Resident:
Recently, a professional interviewer from RTI International came to your home and asked you to participate in the
National Household Survey on Behavioral Health*. Your participation is key to the study’s continued success, but
so far, we have been unable to reach you. Here are a few important things to know about the study:
•

You cannot be replaced. A limited number of people were scientifically selected to represent the
population of the U.S. If you choose not to participate, your experiences and views—as well as the
thousands of people you represent—will not be heard.

•

Your participation can impact important health-related decisions. Local, state, and national agencies use
the study findings to develop education, prevention, and treatment programs and monitor substance use
and mental health trends.

•

Your privacy is important. Federal law requires us to keep all of your answers confidential. Your answers
are combined with the answers of thousands of other people and reported only as overall numbers.

The interview takes about an hour and can be completed from any from any internet-enabled device (though a
desktop or laptop computer is recommended). As a token of our appreciation, you will receive a $30 gift card
at the end of the interview. To complete the interview online, please follow the steps below.
You must be a selected individual to participate in this interview.
To complete the interview, go to nhsbh.rti.org/survey, enter
your Participant Code, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Participant Code:

To learn more about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org. If you have any questions, contact me toll-free at
[TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Thank you for your time. I hope you’ll choose to participate in this important and beneficial study.
Sincerely,

[FS NAME], Field Supervisor
________________________
*The National Household Survey on Behavioral Health is conducted by RTI International for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [samhsa.gov] [rti.org]

Unable to Contact Letter - Interview [Parent]

Resident
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]

Attention: Parent/Guardian of [age] year old resident

Dear Resident:
Recently, a professional interviewer from RTI International came to your home and asked permission for
your child to participate in the National Household Survey on Behavioral Health*. Your child’s participation
is key to the study’s continued success, but so far, we have been unable to reach you. Here are a few
important things to know about the study:
•

Your child cannot be replaced. A limited number of young people were scientifically selected to help
represent the population of the U.S. We need responses from everyone selected to get an accurate
picture of youth-related health issues.

•

Your child’s participation can impact important health-related decisions. Local, state, and national
agencies use the study findings to develop education, prevention, and treatment programs and
monitor substance use and mental health.

Your child’s privacy is important. Federal law requires us to keep all answers confidential. Your
child’s answers will be combined with the answers of thousands of other young people and reported
only as overall numbers.
The interview takes about an hour and can be completed from any from any internet-enabled device (though a
desktop or laptop computer is recommended). As a token of our appreciation, your child will receive a $30
gift card at the end of the interview. If your child is interested in completing the interview online, choose a
time when you and your child are home and in a private location, then follow the steps below.
•

Only a selected individual may participate in this interview.
Parent or guardian of selected child: Call 1-800-848-4079 to receive instructions about beginning the
interview and provide parental consent.
Selected child: To complete the interview, go to
nhsbh.rti.org/survey, enter your Participant Code, and
follow the on-screen instructions.

Participant Code:

To learn more about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org. If you have any questions, please contact me tollfree at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Thank you for your time. I hope you’ll choose to let your child participate in this important and beneficial
study.
Sincerely,

[FS NAME], Field Supervisor
________________________
*The National Household Survey on Behavioral Health is conducted by RTI International for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [samhsa.gov] [rti.org]

Controlled Access Letters

[DATE]
[NAME], [TITLE]
[COMPLEX/COMMUNITY NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
Recently one of our interviewers, [FIRST & LAST NAMES], attempted to contact specific
residences within [COMPLEX/COMMUNITY NAME] that were randomly selected to participate in
the National Household Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH) conducted by RTI International for
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. So far, [FIRST & LAST NAMES] has been
unable to [GAIN ACCESS/GAIN FULL ACCESS] to [NAME OF COMPLEX/COMMUNITY], and we
are asking for your help.
We understand your responsibility to protect your residents and want to provide you with additional
information about the study:
• We are not selling anything. This is not a marketing survey.
• NHSBH provides valuable national and state-level information about important healthrelated issues including experiences with and opinions about the use or non-use of alcohol,
drugs, and tobacco. For this reason, it is just as important that we talk to people who have
not used drugs as it is that we talk to people who have.
• A limited number of household addresses were randomly chosen to take part. We do not
have any information about the residents other than an address.
• The interviewer only needs a few minutes of the residents’ time to see if someone in the
household will be asked to participate in an interview. If selected, those completing the
interview receive an incentive.
• All information provided is kept completely confidential.
• For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.
By helping our interviewer access the selected households in [NAME OF
COMPLEX/COMMUNITY], you will make a direct contribution to this important research effort.
[FIRST & LAST NAMES], our supervisor in your area, will contact you soon to address any
questions, or you may call them toll free at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Your assistance is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for
your help.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection
Enclosures

Controlled Access Letters

[DATE]
[NAME], [TITLE]
[COMPLEX/COMMUNITY NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
One of our interviewers, [FIRST & LAST NAMES], needs to contact specific residences within
[COMPLEX/COMMUNITY NAME] that were randomly selected to participate in the National
Household Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH) conducted by RTI International for the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
We understand your responsibility to protect your residents and want to provide you with additional
information about the study:
•

We are not selling anything. This is not a marketing survey.

•

NHSBH provides valuable national and state-level information about important healthrelated issues including experiences with and opinions about the use or non-use of alcohol,
drugs, and tobacco. For this reason, it is just as important that we talk to people who have
not used drugs as it is that we talk to people who have.

•

A limited number of household addresses were randomly chosen to take part. We do not
have any information about the residents other than an address.

•

The interviewer only needs a few minutes of the residents’ time to see if someone in the
household will be asked to participate in an interview. If selected, those completing the
interview receive an incentive.

•

All information provided is kept completely confidential.

•

For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.

By helping our interviewer access the selected households in [NAME OF COMPLEX/
COMMUNITY], you will make a direct contribution to this important research effort. [FIRST & LAST
NAMES], our supervisor in your area, will contact you soon to address any questions, or you may
call them toll free at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Your assistance is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for
your help.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection
Enclosures

Controlled Access Letters

[DATE]
[NAME], [TITLE]
[COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
Recently one of our interviewers, [FIRST & LAST NAMES], attempted to contact specific [ROOMS/
RESIDENCES] on the [COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY NAME] campus that were randomly selected to
participate in the National Household Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH) conducted by RTI
International for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. So far, [FIRST & LAST
NAMES] has been unable to [GAIN ACCESS/GAIN FULL ACCESS] to [NAME OF RESIDENCE
HALL/STUDENT APTS], and we are asking for your help.
We understand your responsibility to protect the students on campus and want to provide you with
additional information about the study:
• We are not selling anything. This is not a marketing survey.
• NHSBH provides valuable national and state-level information about important healthrelated issues including experiences with and opinions about the use or non-use of alcohol,
drugs, and tobacco. For this reason, it is just as important that we talk to people who have
not used drugs as it is that we talk to people who have.
• A limited number of [ROOMS/HOUSEHOLDS] were randomly chosen to take part. We do
not have any information about the residents other than an address.
• The interviewer only needs a few minutes of the residents’ time to see if someone in the
[ROOM/HOUSEHOLD] will be asked to participate in an interview. If selected, those
completing the interview receive an incentive.
• All information provided is kept completely confidential and used for statistical purposes
only in compliance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act
of 2002 (PL 107-347).
• For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.
A current Institutional Review Board (IRB) summary package is included for your review. By
helping us access the selected [ROOMS/HOUSEHOLDS] at [COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY NAME], you
will make a direct contribution to this important research effort. [FIRST & LAST NAMES], our
supervisor in your area, will contact you soon to address any questions, or you may call them toll
free at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Your assistance is extremely important, and I thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection

Controlled Access Letters

[DATE]
[NAME], [TITLE]
[GQU NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
Recently one of our interviewers, [FIRST & LAST NAMES], attempted to contact specific
[RESIDENCES/UNITS] within your [TYPE OF GQU] that were randomly selected to participate in
the National Household Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH) conducted by RTI International for
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. So far, [FIRST & LAST NAMES] has been
unable to [GAIN ACCESS/GAIN FULL ACCESS] to [GQU NAME OR ADDRESS], and we are
asking for your help.
We understand your responsibility to protect your residents and want to provide you with additional
information about the study:
•

We are not selling anything. This is not a marketing survey.

•

NHSBH provides valuable national and state-level information about important healthrelated issues including experiences with and opinions about the use or non-use of alcohol,
drugs, and tobacco. For this reason, it is just as important that we talk to people who have
not used drugs as it is that we talk to people who have.

•

A limited number of addresses were randomly chosen to take part. We do not have any
information about the residents other than an address.

•

The interviewer only needs a few minutes of the residents’ time to see if someone in the
[HOUSEHOLD/UNIT] will be asked to participate in an interview. If selected, those
completing the interview receive an incentive.

•

All information provided is kept completely confidential.

•

For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.

By helping our interviewer access the selected [RESIDENCES/UNITS] in [NAME OF GQU], you
will make a direct contribution to this important research effort. [FIRST & LAST NAMES], our
supervisor in your area, will contact you soon to address any questions, or you may call them toll
free at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Your assistance is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for
your help.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection

Controlled Access Letters

[DATE]
[RANK] [FULL NAME], [TITLE]
[NAME OF BASE]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [RANK] [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
Please be advised that [FIRST & LAST NAMES], an authorized representative of RTI International,
is collecting data for the National Household Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH). This important
research study is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (OMB No.
0930-0110).
We understand and respect your responsibility to protect individuals living on [NAME OF BASE]
and want to provide you with additional information about the study:
•
•

•

•

•

We are not selling anything. This is not a marketing survey.
NHSBH provides valuable national and state-level information about important healthrelated issues including experiences with and opinions about the use or non-use of
alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. For this reason, it is just as important that we talk to people
who have not used drugs as it is that we talk to people who have.
The interviewer only needs a few minutes of the residents’ time to see if any civilian
members of the household will be asked to participate in an interview (active-duty
members of the military are not eligible for this study). If selected, those completing the
interview receive an incentive at the end of the interview.
All information provided is kept completely confidential and used for statistical purposes
only in compliance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency
Act of 2002 (PL 107-347).
For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) summary package is included for your review. By helping us
access the selected households on [NAME OF BASE], you will make a direct contribution to this
important research effort. [FIRST & LAST NAMES], our supervisor in your area, will contact you
soon to address any questions, or you may call them toll free at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Your assistance is extremely important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for
your help.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection
Enclosures

Controlled Access Letters

[DATE]
[FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME]
[POSITION], [LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [TITLE] [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
RTI International will be in your area conducting the National Household Survey on Behavioral
Health (NHSBH) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the months of
[FILL IN MONTHS OF QUARTER].
We understand your responsibility to protect the residents of [CITY/COUNTY NAME]. Since the public
may ask your department about the legitimacy of this national study, we seek your cooperation in
providing information about the study to staff members who may receive such inquiries.
•

We are not selling anything. This is not a marketing survey.

•

NHSBH is the primary source of national and state-level data concerning alcohol, tobacco,
and drug use. Information from this study is used by government agencies, policy makers,
and researchers to monitor substance abuse trends, design and support prevention,
treatment, and education programs.

•

A limited number of household addresses are randomly selected to represent the
population of the U.S. Once a household has been chosen, it cannot be replaced.

•

A professional interviewer from RTI International will only visit the selected households and
needs a few minutes of the residents’ time to see if someone in the household will be asked
to participate in an interview. If selected, those completing the interview will receive an
incentive.

•

All information provided is kept completely confidential as required by federal law*.

•

For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.

Thank you in advance for sharing this information with all pertinent staff in your department. Your
efforts are important to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for your help. If you
have any questions, please contact our supervisor for your area, [FIRST & LAST NAMES] toll free
at [TOLL FREE NUMBER].
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection
* The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency section of the E-Government Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-347)
ensures that any information residents provide will only be used for statistical purposes and cannot be used for any other purpose. Any
unlawful use of these data may result in a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Controlled Access Letters
List of Enclosures
National Household Survey on Behavioral Health
A. Lead Letter
Prior to the interviewer’s arrival at a household, a “lead letter” will be mailed to the selected address
briefly explaining the survey and requesting the residents’ assistance. The interviewer will visit the household a
few days later, refer the resident to this letter, and answer questions if necessary. If the resident has no
knowledge of the lead letter, the interviewer will provide another copy.
B. Authorization Letter
Each interviewer will carry a personal identification letter which is provided by the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the agency within the U.S Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) that sponsors the study. This letter serves as documentation that SAMHSA formally authorizes
the interviewer to work on the NHSBH for RTI International.
C. Study Description
When an in-person contact is made with an adult member of a selected household and an introductory
exchange is completed, the interviewer will follow consent procedures that include presenting a “Study
Description” and answering any questions the respondent might have. Upon respondent permission, the
interviewer will proceed to create a list of all members of the household using a tablet computer. This list
includes information such as the member’s age, gender, and race, but does not include names or any other
personally identifying information. The tablet will process this roster of the household members and apply a
statistical algorithm to randomly select zero, one, or two persons aged 12 and older to be interviewed. The
selected respondent(s) will be asked to complete an interview using a laptop computer.
D. Question and Answer Brochure
The Question and Answer Brochure provides a ready reference to the study, including answers to
commonly asked questions. This brochure is given to each adult interview respondent or parent or guardian of
youth respondents.
E. Highlights from the Study
Each year SAMHSA releases results of the study, and this document highlights some of the findings
from the most recent data release.

Public Health Authorization Letter

[DATE]
[NAME], [TITLE]
[COMPLEX/COMMUNITY NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
This letter is to confirm that RTI International is authorized to conduct data collection for the 2025 National
Household Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The NHSBH began in 1971 and has maintained an outstanding level of participation, primarily through a
rigorous commitment to respondent confidentiality as well as an increased public awareness of the effects
of drug abuse. The data from this study provide information for tracking drug use in the general population
and for monitoring drug control policies.
I want to assure you that this agency and RTI International are committed to full compliance with all
policies regarding security on your property. RTI International's representative will work with you to
develop a mutually agreeable procedure for contacting selected units for voluntary participation in our
study.
Thank you for your assistance. If you have any questions, you may call me at (240) 276-1269 (9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday).
Sincerely,

Jennifer Hoenig, Ph.D., MPH
National Study Director
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Thank You Letter

[DATE]
[NAME], [TITLE]
[NAME OF COMPLEX/COMMUNITY]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear [FIRST & LAST NAMES]:
On behalf of our client, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I would like to
express our most sincere appreciation for the assistance you recently provided our [FI/FS]
[CIRCUMSTANCES] at [NAME OF COMPLEX/COMMUNITY]. It was your cooperation that
made it possible for us to meet our response rate goals in this important national study. Every
completed interview helps ensure that the data collected for the 2025 National Household
Survey on Behavioral Health (NHSBH) are statistically sound. The information generated
from the 2025 NHSBH will provide the nation’s policymakers with accurate data on a number
of important health issues.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me during 9:00 am and 5:00 pm
(Eastern Time), Monday through Friday, at 1-800-848-4079. Once again, thank you for your
cooperation.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNATURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection

Meet Me Letter

[DATE]
Resident
[NAME OF COMPLEX/UNIVERSITY]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear Resident:
We need your help with the National Household Survey on Behavioral Health conducted by RTI
International for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A limited number of addresses—including yours—were randomly chosen to take part in this important
study. No other household or person can take your place.
Typically, a professional interviewer from RTI visits each selected residence in person. We respect
the policies of [NAME OF COMPLEX/UNIVERSITY] so we are asking you to speak with our
interviewer, who only needs a few minutes of your time to see if someone in your
[HOUSEHOLD/ROOM] will be chosen for an interview. Every person who is chosen and completes
the full interview will receive $30 at the end of the interview as a token of appreciation.
Please meet with our interviewer [FI FIRST/LAST NAME] in [MEETING PLACE]:
Please meet in [MEETING PLACE]:
•

[DAY OF WEEK], [MONTH] [DATE] [TIME]
OR

•

[DAY OF WEEK], [MONTH] [DATE] [TIME]

If you are unable to speak with [MR/MS] [LAST NAME], call [FS FIRST/LAST NAME], our supervisor
for your area, at [TOLL FREE NUMBER] (toll free) to request another meeting time.
Any information you provide is kept completely confidential and used only for statistical purposes.
Information gathered from this study is used by researchers and local, state and federal health
agencies for education, treatment, and prevention programs.
For more details about the study, please visit nhsbh.rti.org.
Your visit with [MR/MS] [FI LAST NAME] or call to [MR/MS] [FS LAST NAME] is extremely important
to the success of this study, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
[INSERT SIGNAURE]
Kathleen Considine
Director of Data Collection

Controlled Access Flyer

ATTENTION RESIDENTS!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is conducting a
national survey on health-related issues in order to provide better
future services to all segments of the population. RTI International
has been contracted to complete the work.
Some residences in this building were randomly selected for
participation in this survey. A representative, [FIELD
INTERVIEWER], will be at your complex:
• [DATE]
• [TIMES]
• [LOCATION]
The initial questions will only take a few minutes and then one or two
persons from your household may be asked to participate in a
voluntary interview. It is also possible that no one will be selected to
participate. All data collected will be kept completely confidential.
This study is covered by the Confidential Information Protection and
Statistical Efficiency section of the E-Government Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-347) which ensures that any information provided
will only be used for statistical purposes and cannot be used for any
other purpose.
You may contact Field Supervisor [FS NAME] at [FS PHONE
NUMBER] or visit nhsbh.rti.org for more information and to verify the
legitimacy of the study.
Your participation is extremely important to the success of this
study and we thank you in advance for your cooperation.