Memo - Nonsubstantive change request: Baseline survey edits and Spanish version

DATE: September 30, 2016

TO: Steph Tatham

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

FROM: Anna Solmeyer

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE)

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

SUBJECT: Request for Non-Substantive Change to Building Bridges and Bonds Evaluation (OMB Control Number 0970-0485)

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services has funded the Building Bridges and Bonds (B3) evaluation. This change request is for minor modifications to the baseline parenting survey (8 - Baseline Survey for Sites Testing Parenting Intervention) and adds the Spanish version of the baseline parenting survey, as requested by OIRA at the time of approval. The English survey instrument was previously approved under OMB Control Number 0970-0485, with an expiration date of 09/30/2019.

B3 is a rigorous, multi-site evaluation that includes an implementation study and an impact study. B3 is partnering with six programs that serve low-income fathers to understand the effectiveness of strategies used to enhance fathers’ participation in fatherhood programs, to increase fathers’ stable employment and improve their economic circumstances, to encourage fathers’ consistent and positive engagement with their children, and to improve constructive cooperation with co-parents. The B3 impact study will use a randomized control design, which includes a baseline survey and a 6-month follow up survey, along with other data collection efforts.

The non-substantive changes requested in the current memo include the following:

• Addition of a Spanish translation of the baseline parenting survey

• Minor changes to the English version of the baseline parenting survey that were made as a result of the team testing the survey. More details on these changes are available in the tracked changes version of the survey (8 - Baseline Survey for Sites Testing Parenting Intervention Revised 9-16-16_track).

  • Added instructions for survey programmers (the survey is self-administered using ACASI)

  • Added and clarified instructions to respondents

  • Made minor wording changes in a few questions or response categories to improve clarity