NonSub Change Request - FACES 2019 COVID-19 Changes - Director Survey

To: Josh Brammer

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Nina Hetzner and Meryl Barofsky

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE)

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Date: May 13, 2020

Subject: NonSubstantive Change Request – Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES 2019) (OMB #0970-0151)

This memo requests approval of nonsubstantive changes to the approved information collection, Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES 2019) (OMB #0970-0151).

Background

Spring 2020 data collection for FACES 2019 began in late February, just before Head Start centers nationwide began closing due to concerns around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In April 2020 OMB approved minor changes to study instruments to address the potential that responses to survey items could be influenced by the program closures or reduced services.

At this time, due to COVID-19, most Head Start programs have closed physical buildings and have changed their operations to continue to meet the needs of the families they serve.

Overview of Requested Changes

Because programs are adjusting their services and communication with both families and staff in a variety of ways, we now propose adding items to the center director and program director instruments to capture their response to COVID-19 and upcoming summer plans to still provide services. The proposed new items fit within the general purpose of the FACES data collection and the intended uses of FACES data overall. The following instruments have been updated to include the new items:

• FACES Program Director Survey (Attachment 12),

• AI/AN FACES Program Director Survey (Attachment 21),

• FACES Center Director Survey (Attachment 13), and

• AI/AN FACES Center Director Survey (Attachment 22).

The new items add approximately 10 minutes to the length of each instrument; Supporting Statement A has been updated to reflect this change.

Additionally, due to the nationwide outbreak of COVID-19, the spring 2020 child assessment data collection has been cancelled. We have updated Supporting Statements A and B to reflect this change.

Time Sensitivities

Due to the active data collection of the FACES study, we would appreciate an expeditious review and response to this change request.