YDD Formative Generic Supporting Statement B

Formative Data Collection (OMB Number 0970-0356)

Supporting Statement Part B for OMB Approval

Youth Demonstration Development Project

January 2012

B. Statistical Methods (Used for Collection of Information employing statistical methods)

1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

It is important to engage staff of youth development programs to understand how currently operating programs may reflect the YDD team’s draft conceptual framework and determine whether refinements or modifications are needed. Program staff will also provide valuable information regarding changes needed at the federal, state, or local level to support programs based on the conceptual framework.

To obtain feedback, we will visit programs serving youth and conduct semi-structured discussions with program staff. We will identify organizations by relying on information obtained from experts in the fields of youth development, a comprehensive literature review, and internet searches for organizations providing youth development programs. The project team will narrow the initial list of organizations using the following criteria to create of list of possible sites for interviews: the organization is implementing resilience or human capital building programs (consistent with the current draft framework), the organization serves youth populations that overlap with those served by ACF programs, and the organization represents a range of ACF geographical regions including both urban and non-urban areas. ACF and OPRE staff will then select six organizations for fieldwork based on target population served, services provided, and geographic location to ensure a mix of populations, locations, and service approaches. Members of the project team will contact organizations following the order of priority, contacting only the number of organizations needed to recruit six organizations for the field work. No more than 14 interviews in each site will be conducted, for a total of 84 interviews.

2. Procedures for the Collection of Information

Discussions will be conducted in-person in the form of semi-structured conversations. We will begin making contacts with youth programs and scheduling visits once OMB clearance is received (expected March 2012) and will continue interviewing through early June 2012. The initial contact with organizations will be made by members of the project team via e-mail and conference call (see Appendix B for a draft of the initial e-mail, a project description that will be sent with the e-mail, the script for the initial conference call, and the draft conceptual framework to be shared during the field visit). They will describe the YDD project and purpose of the field work to the organization and determine interest in participating in a field visit. Scheduling of interviews will be done collaboratively with the organization to ensure minimal disruption to program operations. Interviews will be conducted by members of the Mathematica Policy Research and Chapin Hall team which has been awarded the contract for the YDD project. A brief description of the project and framework will be provided at the beginning of each interview to orient the respondent (see Appendix B). Project staff will take notes during the interview. We anticipate that discussions will average one hour and not more than 84 respondents will be interviewed.

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

We expect to obtain a high response rate among sites. Several factors will help ensure a high rate of cooperation among respondents. First, senior staff members of the study team who are familiar with the conceptual framework and youth development programs will contact program leadership. Additionally, we aim to interview stakeholders who are heavily invested in serving at-risk youth. We anticipate that respondents will be eager to engage in these conversations. Since the project team will work collaboratively with sites to schedule the field visit and interviews, we expect a high participation rate.

4. Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

There are no plans to test the procedures. Similar discussions have been conducted in the past by the study team, as well as by ACF for other projects and have been an effective strategy for gathering information. For example, the Building Strong Families project conducted similar discussions (OMB Number 0970-0304) and generated significant insight into program operations.

5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

Erica H. Zielewski

Social Science Research Analyst

Administration for Children and Families

370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW

Washington, DC 20024

(202) 401 – 5995

Emily Ball Jabbour

Social Science Research Analyst

Administration for Children and Families

26 Federal Plaza, Room 4114

New York, NY 10278

(212) 264-2890 x 273)