Youth Client Interview Protocol: TA to Promote the Implementation of Re-Engagement Centers for Out- of-school-youth

Re-Engagement Center

Youth Client Protocol (for Individuals or Focus Group)

Assent Script

Thank you for taking time to talk with us today. We are going to be writing a guidebook that will help people set up programs like [program name], so they don’t have to make things up as if they are the first program. We are interviewing youth participants here in [city name] and a in a couple of other places that have similar programs to learn as much as possible from your first-hand experience. Do you have any questions about the purpose of the research?

In this interview, I’m going to ask some questions about how you came to this program, whether it’s helping you and how, and any ideas you have for how it could be improved. It should take about 45 minutes, does that work for you? Don’t worry, nothing you say will be used to evaluate the program or any of the staff. Responses to this data collection will be used only for research purposes. The reports prepared for this study will summarize findings across the sample and will not associate responses with a specific district or individual. The contractor will not provide information that identifies a subject or district to anyone outside the study team, except as required by law.

We will tape-record the interview, but your name will not be included in any of the reports and all the information will be kept in a secure location in our offices at Johns Hopkins. Please let me know if there’s any point at which you would like me to turn off the tape recorder. Are you willing to participate in the interview? [collect informed consent forms signed by parent if not already in-hand]. Thank you, let’s get started.

Questions

1. How did you learn about the [re-engagement ctr. program name]? How did you become connected to the program?

   1. Probes: Did someone refer you? Web? Flyer? Walked by? Someone from the center contacted you? Through a friend or acquaintance?

2. When did you start coming here/working with this program?

3. Why did you start coming here/working with this program?

   1. Probes: How long were you out of school before coming here? What was your situation? Why did you disengage from school? Why did you want to make a change and reconnect to school?

4. How does this program work? How is it supposed to help young people?

   1. Probe: What do program staff do? What are you expected to do?

5. Is [program name] helping you? How is it helping you?

   1. Probe: Academic—helping me catch up in schoolwork, getting me set up in a new school

   2. Probe: Behavior—helping me manage anger, resolve conflict, have positive relationships

   3. Probe: Social-emotional—understand myself better, counseling, health services

   4. Probe: Logistical—housing, transportation

   5. Probe: College/Career/Future planning

6. Are your parents, guardians, or any family members involved in the program?

   1. If yes, how are they involved?

   2. If no, are they aware you are participating? How do they feel about it? Why aren’t they involved?

7. Do you want to be in this program? Why or why not?

   1. Did anyone make you come?

   2. Do the people in this program make you want to come here?

8. Have you referred any of your friends or acquaintances to the program? Do you think they would have heard or know about the program if you didn’t tell them about it?

9. What do you especially appreciate or like about [program name]?

10. Do you think this program is enough to help most young people who have disconnected from school? Are there any ways [program name] could be changed that would make it better for you, or for young people who’ve had similar experiences as you’ve had?

11. As you look to your future, what is the next step for you?

Public Burden Statement:

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1810-XXXX.