NonSub Change Memo - Annual Survey Refugees 0970-0033

To: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA); Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE); Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Date: March 21, 2016

Subject: Annual Survey of Refugees (OMB 0970-0033)

We are writing to request a non-substantive change to the survey instrument for the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Annual Survey of Refugees (OMB 0970-0033). After internal review, we propose striking 41 of 133 survey items (30.8%). Twenty-seven of these items appear on the survey’s household roster, which means the focal respondent is asked these questions for all household members aged 16 and above. By adjusting the length of the roster, we will reduce response burden on large households, which the survey contractor suggests is a barrier to response for some sample members.

The primary purpose of the Annual Survey of Refugees is to fulfill ORR’s congressional reporting requirements; the survey items we propose to strike are not necessary for congressional reporting. It is also our hope that these reductions will lead to a more efficient use of resources while reducing burden on respondents and increasing the survey’s response rate.