Multi-site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs

Appendix J

Introductory Letter to Youth

<<DATE>>

<<FNAME>><<LNAME>>

<<ADDRESS1>>

<<ADDRESS2>>

<<CITY>><<STATE>><<ZIP>>

Dear <<FNAME>>,

We are writing to invite you to participate in a study of major importance to foster youth that we are conducting in your community. By agreeing to take part in the Multi-site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs, you will have the chance to help improve the lives of those who are now growing up away from their families.

This study is being conducted for the Federal Government by the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. and its partners -- the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) and the Chapin Hall Center for Children, both at the University of Chicago. The results of this study will help policy makers better understand the experiences of foster youth in terms of the services they receive and their expectations for the future.

Your name was randomly selected from a listing of foster youth with the permission of the <<STATE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY>>. Studies which randomly select participants depend for their success on the participation of everyone who is selected. We will ask you to complete an in-person interview. Let me assure you that the information you provide will be kept confidential. We will not share anything that you say with your child welfare worker, teachers, foster parents, group home providers, or friends. We will combine your answers with the answers from all other foster youth in the study; so that individual answers will not be identifiable. Your name and other identifying information will not be included.

Taking part in the study is your decision and you may refuse to answer any questions you don't want to answer. We expect the interview to take approximately 90 minutes. As a token of our appreciation, you will receive $30 for completing an interview.

An NORC interviewer will contact you soon to arrange a convenient time to meet with you. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this research project, or would like to make an appointment for the interview, please feel free to call us at NORC toll-free at 1-800-xxx-xxxx or at the Urban Institute at 1-800-xxx-xxxx, or send an e-mail message to chafee@norcmail.uchicago.edu.

Thank you in advance for your help. We look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely,

Matthew Stagner, Ph.D.

Project Director, Multi-site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs

Urban Institute