Instrument G: Individuals Likely Eligible but Not Receiving TANF Guide (Focus Groups)

OMB Approval No.: xxxx-xxxx

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxxx

Individuals Likely Eligible but Not Receiving TANF

INTERVIEW AND FOCUS GROUP GUIDE

Introduction/Informed Consent for Individuals Likely Eligible but Not Receiving TANF

Thank you for agreeing to participate in this interview today. My name is _______________ and I’m a researcher from the Urban Institute, a non-profit research organization located in Washington, DC. With me today is [name].

We are conducting a study of how [STATE] changed the [STATE TANF PROGRAM] program to respond to COVID-19 and how program participants experienced those changes. The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of how COVID-19 related changes to [STATE TANF PROGRAM] policy and practice were implemented in one state, and how those changes were experienced by participants from different racial and ethnic groups.

This [interview/focus group] is completely voluntary. You can choose to not answer any questions. You can [stop the interview/leave the focus group] at any time. Program staff will not see these responses and your responses will not affect decisions about your case.

The research team working on the project will summarize all responses. In sharing what we learn from talking with you and others, we will never use your name or identify you. We may use quotes, but we will not include your name. [IF FOCUS GROUP] We ask that you not share anything that is said here outside of this group. However, we cannot guarantee that others will not do so.

[IF FOCUS GROUP and IF VIRTUAL] The focus group is a private meeting. By that I mean, only the people invited to attend should be logged in to the meeting and/or able to hear you and your fellow participants.

[IF VIRTUAL] We want to assure you that we will make every effort to protect the privacy of the information you share. However, given the technical challenges presented by Zoom and similar internet platforms, Urban staff cannot guarantee the confidentiality of what might be shared.

[PRIOR TO RECORDING] We value the information you will share with us today and want to make sure we capture all of it. So, with your permission, we will be recording the session and [name of person] will be taking notes on a laptop computer. Do you have an objection for us to proceed with recording?

[IF INTERVIEW] Our conversation today will last for about 60 minutes.

[IF FOCUS GROUP] Our conversation today will last for about 90 minutes.

Are you willing to participate in this interview?

Do you have any questions before we begin? If you have any questions during the interview, please do not hesitate to ask-- if something is not clear, just let me know.

Please read over the consent form. Then we can get started.

Informed Consent: Participant Interviews and Focus Groups

What is the study about?

The Urban Institute, a nonprofit, social policy research organizations, is conducting a study of how [STATE] changed the [STATE TANF PROGRAM] program to respond to COVID-19 and how program participants experienced those changes. The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of how COVID-19 related changes to TANF policy and practice were implemented in one state, and how those changes were experienced by TANF recipients from different racial and ethnic groups.

What will I need to do?

We are talking with people who are currently participating in [STATE TANF PROGRAM] or likely eligible to participate and asking them to share their thoughts and experiences.

[If interview] This interview will take up to 1 hour and gives you an opportunity to share your perspective.

[If focus group] This focus group will take up to 90 minutes and gives you an opportunity to share your perspective.

Does the [interview/focus group] involve any risk to me?

There are no major risks from participating. The main risk is possibly feeling uncomfortable discussing your experiences. You can choose not to answer any of the questions that make you uncomfortable. We have very strong security measures in place and will make every effort to protect your privacy. There is a small possibility of someone outside of the study staff hearing or seeing your responses [or someone in the focus group repeating your answers].

Will the [interview/focus group] help me?

Participating in the [interview/focus group] will probably not help you directly but sharing your thoughts and experiences may help improve the experiences of future individuals and families.

Do I have to [do the interview/participate in the focus group]?

You do not have to [do the interview/participate in the focus group] if you do not want to. You can [stop the interview/leave the focus group] at any time. Your participation in the [interview/focus group] will have no effect on services you or your family receive.

[If interview/focus group is virtual: If you take part in an interview using Zoom, you will have the option to share video or keep it off if you wish for your image or background to remain private.]

We would like to record the [interview/focus group] so we can concentrate on what you are saying and to help with our notes. However, if you do not want us to record, we will not. If there is anything you would like to say without being recorded, you can ask to pause the recording at any time.

Will I receive anything for my participation?

To express our appreciation for your participation, we will give you a $50 gift card for participating in the [interview/focus group].

Will you tell people what I say?

The study team will not share your answers with anyone, unless you say something about hurting yourself or others or if you describe someone else being hurt. [Focus group only: There is a possibility of someone in the focus group repeating your answers, but we are asking all participants to keep this conversation private.] Otherwise, only the study team will read the notes or listen to the recording and no one at [state TANF office], including your caseworker will hear your answers. We may use some specific quotes, but we won’t include anyone’s name. When the project is over, we will destroy our notes and recordings.

Questions:

If you have questions about the study, you can call the project director, Marla McDaniel at the Urban Institute at 202-261-5678.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB number for this collection is xxxx-xxxx and the expiration date is xx/xx/xxxx.

1. Background and Context

[Focus group only] To get us started, let’s each introduce ourselves with your first name and the ages of your children.

And since we are interested in understanding different experiences that people of different racial and ethnic background may have, we’d also like to ask how you each identify. I’ll start, I consider myself [interviewer and note-taker say their race and ethnicity here.]

[Interview only] To get us started, we would like to learn a little more about your family and the assistance you might receive.

1. [Interview only]: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

   1. [Interview only] How many children do you have, and how old are they?

2. Perceptions of TANF

2. What have you heard about the [STATE TANF PROGRAM] program, in terms of the benefits and services it offers?

3. How have you learned or heard about benefits and services offered through [STATE TANF PROGRAM]?

3. Reasons for Not Participating

4. What are some of the reasons why your family is not currently receiving TANF cash assistance or other services?

   1. Probe: No current financial need, services offered don’t meet needs, stigma, too difficult to apply, too difficult to participate and meet requirements, receipt of previous sanctions

5. If it turned out you could be eligible, how interested would you be in receiving cash assistance for you and your family?

   1. Probe: Interest in assessment/screening/case management, employment counseling, training/education

6. How easy or difficult is it to find out about and understand the range of benefits and services that could be available to you?

7. What would it take for you to want to apply and pursue getting [STATE TANF PROGRAM] benefits?

4. Perceptions of TANF and other Assistance

1. When you hear “cash assistance” or [STATE TANF PROGRAM], what comes to mind?

   1. What do people in your community think about the [STATE TANF PROGRAM] or public assistance generally?

   2. Sometimes people feel outside pressures not to apply for or receive benefits. Have you ever felt that way?

   3. Do people tend to think of cash assistance in the same way as Medicaid, food stamps, or vouchers to help pay for child care, or is there something different about receiving cash assistance?

4. When you need help getting by, where do you turn? (e.g. food bank, church, nonprofit, social services office). Why is that they place you choose?

5. Tablet Program

We understand that DSS in [STATE] has made tablets, cell phone, and internet available [through a provider called Standup Wireless] for some participants in programs for individuals with low incomes. [include name and description of program that recipients might recognize]

1. Do you, or anyone in your household, have a tablet or computer, cell phone, and internet access?

   1. If yes, who is the provider?

   2. If yes, do you pay full cost or is it covered/paid through some other way?

2. Have you heard of [name for tablet/internet program]?

   1. If yes, how did you hear about the program? What did you think when you first heard of the program?

3. Right now, do you have a tablet (cell phone and/or internet) that you received from Standup Wireless?

   1. If no, have you applied for the tablet program?

      1. If yes, what was the process (what was required, how easy or difficult was it to apply? Did you qualify, and if so, when do you expect to receive the tablet and/or cell phone?)

      2. If no, why not?

         1. If reason for not applying is because unaware, probe:

            1. Does this sound like a program that would interest you? Why or why not?

            2. What is a typical way that you get information about services or other supports or programs that are available to help low-income people? What is your preferred way to get information like that from social services offices?

   2. If yes, when did you apply for it? What made you decide to apply? What was the process (what was required, how easy or difficult was it to apply?)

      1. How long did it take after you applied to get the tablet and/or cell phone and internet service? When did you receive the tablet?

      2. What do you use the tablet for? Can you use it for purposes other than to access program services?

      3. What has been helpful about the tablet?

      4. Have there been any limitations or downsides?

6. Capacity and Fairness of the TANF Program

Now I would like to turn to some questions about the [STATE TANF PROGRAM] program and its capacity to meet families’ needs.

1. Do you think the program is generally fair and available to all who need it?

2. Are there some people who have a harder time getting and receiving services than others?

   1. If yes: What kinds of circumstances might make it harder for some to get and keep TANF?

3. We are interested in understanding different families’ experiences with the TANF program, including if families of different races may have different experiences. Do you think people of different races and ethnicities have similar or different experiences in [STATE or LOCAL AREA] on TANF?

   1. If different, have you observed any differences, and can you give me an example of what you’ve seen?

      1. Why do you think that difference is happening?

4. When you think of families needing TANF in [STATE or LOCAL AREA], do you tend to see differences in the types of needs or the level of needs for families of different races? What are some of the differences you’ve seen?

   1. If you see differences, in your opinion how well does the TANF program respond to those differences?

   2. Do you notice any differences in the types of services families may receive or be offered?

5. Do you think TANF is sensitive to you as a person and respects or acknowledges your culture, your race or ethnicity, gender, your health or health needs, or employment circumstances (e.g. criminal background, disability, etc.)?

7. Wrap-Up

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this information with us. We sincerely hope that this study can be useful to you. Before we finish, we would like to hear what you would most like others to know about your experiences with TANF during the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual services and what you might like to learn from our study when it is completed.

1. In your view, what would you most want the world – either the public, federal policymakers, other state administrators, or whomever – to know about your experience with TANF in [STATE], particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic?

2. Is there anything you may immediately think of that you would most like to learn from this study when it is finished?

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?