ACL Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment

A generic clearance for purposes of conducting qualitative research to gain a better understanding of emerging issues related to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grantees, service providers, and programs; develop future intramural and extramural research projects; and to ensure HHS and ACL leadership, programs, and staff can obtain timely and relevant data and information. ACL defines qualitative feedback as information that provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions but are not statistical surveys that yield results that can be generalized beyond the population of study. This collection of information is necessary to enable ACL to receive feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with our mission to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. ACL implements critical disability and aging programs, serves as the advisor to the HHS Secretary on disability and aging programs, works with other HHS agencies, Departments and the White House on disability and aging issues, and engages a range of disability and aging partners to inform program development, improvement, and implementation. Integral to this role, ACL conducts research and evaluation studies to measure the needs, barriers, and facilitators for ACL programs. Qualitative research, evaluation, and assessment are the main objectives of the activities included in this clearance. The goal of developing these activities is to identify emerging issues and research gaps to ensure the successful implementation of ACL programs. The participants may include subject matter experts appropriate to the question of interest; national, state, and/or local representatives; individuals from aging and disability networks; human service, behavioral health, and healthcare providers; individuals from tribal communities; and/or representatives of other organizations appropriate to the question or questions of interest.

The latest form for ACL Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment expires 2027-04-30 and can be found here.