PACT – Focus Group Topic Guide OMB #: 0970-0403
EXPIRATION: XX/XX/201X
Parents and Children Together
(PACT) Evaluation
INSTRUMENT (12)
FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
(FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS)
Parents and Children Together (PACT)
TOPIC GUIDE FOR USE WITH Focus GroupS
OF program fathers or couples
This topic guide will be used for focus group discussions with program participants (couples in healthy marriage (HM) programs and fathers in responsible fatherhood (RF) programs) to explore their perspectives on the availability, quality, and value of program services.
Introductory script:
Purpose and use of information: Mathematica Policy Research is conducting an evaluation of fatherhood and relationship strengthening programs. As part of that evaluation, we are seeking to learn more about your perspectives on the availability, quality, and value of the program’s services. The purpose of the study is to provide information to practitioners and policymakers within multiple levels of government as well as in other sectors.
Authority of collection: This evaluation is being conducted on behalf of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it has a current valid OMB control number. The number for this study is 0970-0403. If you have any questions, please contact [CONTACT NAME], at xxx-xxx-xxxx, regarding OMB-PRA (0970-0403).
Privacy: The information you provide will be combined with information from other program participants and discussed among the evaluation team and federal staff at the Administration for Children and Families. Information regarding participants’ perspectives may be included in reports, but your identifying information will be kept private and not shared publicly.
Voluntary Participation: Providing information for the purposes described is voluntary.
Estimated time: This discussion is expected to take about one and a half hours.
Participants’ initial introduction to RF/HM program
Participants’ initial interest in and expectations of RF/HM program
Reasons for enrolling
Attendance
Attendance and its regularity
Barriers to attendance
Response to efforts by agency to increase attendance
Staff encouragement
Receipt of gifts/prizes for participation
Strategies to encourage attendance that were perceived to be most and least effective
Parenting services/information that were helpful, and why
Parenting services/information that were not helpful, and why
Parenting services/information would like to have received, and why
Perceptions of staff providing parenting services/information
Satisfaction with parenting services/information
Healthy marriage and relationship strengthening services/information that were helpful, and why
Healthy marriage and relationship strengthening services/information that were not helpful, and why
Healthy marriage and relationship strengthening services/information would like to have received, and why
Perceptions of staff providing healthy marriage and relationship strengthening services/information
Satisfaction with healthy marriage and relationship strengthening services/information
Employment related services/information that were helpful, and why
Employment related services/information that were not helpful, and why
Employment related services/information would like to have received, and why
Perceptions of staff providing employment related services/information
Satisfaction with employment related services/information
Knowledge or skills gained in preparing for, finding, and keeping a job
Whether/how program increased knowledge/skill related to looking for job, and in what specific areas
Whether/how program helped obtain a job and in what specific ways
How acquired knowledge and skills related to employability may help in future
Knowledge or skills gained pertaining to parenting and fatherhood
Whether/how program increased knowledge of effective/appropriate parenting and in what areas
Whether/how program led to changes in involvement with child or parenting practices
How acquired knowledge and skills related to parenting and fatherhood may help in future
Knowledge or skills gained pertaining to healthy relationships
Whether/how program increased knowledge and skills related to healthy relationships
Whether/how program led to changes in interactions with romantic partners or co-parents
How acquired knowledge and skills related to healthy relationships may help in future
Knowledge of program policies related to marriage and implications for decisions around marriage and relationships
Overall Satisfaction
Perceived match between available services and individual needs
Areas for improvement, and how
Whether would recommend program to others
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Heather Zaveri |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-29 |