Appendix A-5 CBO Introductory Letter and Sample Flyer

APPENDIX A-5
CBO Introductory Letter and Sample Flyer

Heather Hahn, PhD, MPP
Senior Fellow
LABOR, HUMAN SERVICES,
AND POPULATION POLICY
CENTER

Dear [NAME],
I am writing to explore if [organization name] would be willing and able to
assist with recruitment for focus group and one-on-one conversations we are
hoping to conduct in [locality, state]. These discussions would be part of a

hhahn@urban.org
(202)-261-5736 phone
(202)-452-1840 fax

study of two-parent families on or eligible for TANF cash assistance. The

DATE: Month XX, 2015

Services/Administration for Children and Families/Office of Planning,

TO: [CBO Director NAME,
TITLE]
RE: ACF/OPRE Study of TwoParent TANF Programs,
Conducted by the Urban
Institute; Focus Group
Recruitment

study is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Research, and Evaluation and conducted by the Urban Institute, a non-profit
research organization based in Washington, D.C. [If applicable:][We received
your and your organization’s name and contact information from [state
human services department administrator], who recommended your
organization as likely serving a significant number of individuals in this
population (adult members of two-parent families on or eligible to receive
TANF), and having a trusted relationship in the community.]
I would appreciate the chance to talk with you by phone this week to provide
more information. I can tell you more about the focus groups and discussions
during the call, but in the interim, I’ve summarized below key elements of our
study and how [CBO] could facilitate recruitment.
We would like to conduct two focus groups – 90-minute group discussions
with 6-to-12 adults. One focus group would include adults in two-parent
families who have received TANF (cash assistance) in the past or are current
recipients. The other focus group would include adults in two-parent families
who are likely eligible for TANF cash assistance but have not participated in
the program. Additionally, we hope to schedule up to five one-on-one hourlong conversations with the above types of individuals. The Urban Institute
would provide a $30 to $40 gift card to each participant as a token of
appreciation and to offset the cost of taking part.
We hope that your organization would be willing to help recruit participants
(we have a prepared the attached flyer that could be distributed or posted).

2100 M Street NW
Washington DC 20037

urban.org

This could mean helping to post/distribute the flyer in advance and keeping a list of individuals who wish to
sign up. Additionally, we may hope to hold these conversations at [CBO], depending on logistics and
availability. We would do the rest of the work, including calling signed-up participants by phone a day or two
in advance of the discussion to confirm their taking part, and members of the Urban Institute team would
lead and facilitate the discussions. We hope this would impose as little as possible on you and your staff.
We hope these discussions will help answer a variety of questions, including:
•

What are TANF recipients/likely recipients’ perceptions of the program and its services?

•

What are these individuals’ reasons for participating or not taking part?

•

How do program rules help or hinder families from receiving assistance?

•

Is it easier or harder for some families to receive benefits?

•

What are these individuals’ recommendations to improve services and the TANF program?

After the focus groups, we will share a summary of what we learned in a final report that will be made
available to policymakers, advocates, community members, and others, but respondents in these
discussions will remain anonymous, and the information we collect will be kept private.
I look forward to hearing from you and setting up a time to talk further about this study.

Sincerely,
Dr. Heather Hahn

Urban Institute Senior Fellow
Director, Two-Parent TANF Study

The OMB control number for the described information collection is 0970-XXXX and it expires
XX/XX/XXXX.

2100 M Street NW
Washington DC 20037

urban.org

YOU’RE
INVITED!
We Want to Hear Your Experiences and
Perspectives about Receiving [“TANF” or
STATE-SPECIFIC NAME] as a Two-Parent Family
The Urban Institute needs your help for a study describing the [STATE HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT]
ongoing efforts to deliver cash assistance benefits, sometimes called TANF or [STATE-SPECIFIC NAME],
to two-parent families.
Please help us answer these questions:
• What is your perception of the TANF program and its services?
• What are your reasons for participating or not taking part?
• How do the program’s rules help or hinder your family taking part?
• Is it easier or harder for some families to receive benefits?
• What are your recommendations to improve services and the TANF program?

Your opinions & experiences matter!
We are looking for adults in two-parent families to participate in a focus group who have either received
or are receiving TANF, or think they may be eligible to receive these benefits. If you attend, you will
receive $40 to make up for the trouble of taking part. The discussion will last 90 minutes.
A focus group is a lively discussion with 6 to 12 people about their views and experiences on a topic.
Staff from the Urban Institute will facilitate and introduce questions for discussion. The Urban Institute
is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to elevating the debate on social policy by bringing hard
evidence and data to decision makers. This study is being conducted by the Administration for Children
and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation. After the focus groups, we will share a
summary of what we learned in a final report, but your responses will remain anonymous.
 When:
 Where:

Date
Time
Address

OR

Date
Time

Registration for the Focus Group is required. We cannot accommodate individuals who do not register
in advance To register, [please call XXX-XXX-XXXX or visit us on the web, https://www.---.com*
INSTRUCTIONS TO BE CUSTOMIZED AS NEEDED]
Questions? Please contact us through the phone number or website above. The OMB control number
for the described information collection is 0970-XXXX and it expires XX/XX/XXXX.

Participation is voluntary
and will be kept private.