Supporting Statement B - DDDRP Beneficiary Information

Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot Beneficiary Information

OMB Information Collection Request

0970 - NEW

Supporting Statement Part B –

Statistical Methods

December 2024

Type of Request: NEW

Submitted By:

Office of Community Services

Administration for Children and Families

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

The Office of Community Services (OCS) will continue to administer the enrollment version of the beneficiary survey to grant recipients awarded in fiscal years (FY) 2022 and 2023. OCS began administering the survey as a pilot under the generic approval for Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support (OMB #0970-0531). The beneficiary survey will be phased out for grant recipients awarded in FY 2024, who will transition to reporting aggregate counts of beneficiary characteristics and outcomes, as described in Supporting Statement A. The statistical methods presented herein focus on the collection of information using the beneficiary survey. In order to provide continuity in the beneficiary data collection for grant recipients who are currently using this instrument, OCS will continue to use the methods currently approved under OMB# 0970-0531.

The potential respondent universe for this instrument includes any family enrolling to receive diapers and diapering supplies from the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP). There are 21 grant recipients, and OCS estimates grant recipients will enroll about 27,000 beneficiaries between January 2025 and April 2026 when the beneficiary survey will phase out. OCS requires that grant recipients offer the survey to every caregiver when enrolling in the program, but the survey is voluntary for caregivers. We have observed response rates near 25% for cohort 1, 50% for cohort 2, and 75% for cohort 3. Based on cohort-level response rates, we estimate a total sample size of 13,500 respondents to the beneficiary survey through April 2026.

Instrument	Respondent Universe	Intended Sample	Response Rate
Beneficiary Survey, Enrollment Version	All caregivers enrolling in the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot for grant recipients originally funded in Fiscal Year 2022 - 2024	Entire respondent universe (maximum 27,000)	25 percent for respondents enrolling with cohort 1 grant recipients; 50 percent for respondents enrolling with cohort 2 grant recipients; 75 percent for respondents enrolling in cohort 3 grant recipients

2. Procedures for the Collection of Information

The beneficiary survey is programmed in an electronic collection system (e.g., Survey Monkey) and distributed by partner organizations. Partner organizations share the survey with caregivers who are enrolling in the program via link or a grant-recipient provided device (e.g., a tablet). Grant recipient staff may support individuals needing assistance in completing the survey (e.g., assist individuals with reading difficulties). Surveys are submitted directly to OCS through the electronic collection system. The electronic collection system includes both skip patterns and checks for missing or incomplete data. OCS staff also cleans the data post-collection, before analysis begins. OCS computes summary statistics (means and response counts) for items representing demographics of families served and the level of diaper need experienced by beneficiaries. OCS provides biweekly reports to grant recipients with grant-recipient level summaries for all grant recipients and site-level summaries for grant recipients using a unique identifier that allows OCS to identify the site of enrollment. OCS also shares grant recipient data with the implementation evaluation contractor.

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

The beneficiary survey is given to families who receive diapers and diapering supplies from any partner organization. To maximize response rates, OCS provides regular reports to grant recipients showing the number of participants (per site, for recipients using unique ID), which allows grant recipients to address low response rates. We have observed that regular reporting of response counts to grant recipients has boosted response rates for sites. Based on our experience administering this survey to current cohorts of grant recipients, we observed that 25% of cohort 1 beneficiaries completed the survey early in administration. These recipients did not receive regular reports when the survey initially launched. That rate has risen to 75% for cohort 3 grant recipients who are using the unique ID and are receiving regular reports of survey results at the site level.

4. Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

This information collection was piloted under Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support (OMB #0970-0531). Through the pilot, OCS worked with grant recipients and the evaluation contractor to increase response rates and refine the survey items. As a result, response rates have risen from 25 percent for cohort 1 grant recipients to 75 percent for cohort 3 grant recipients.

5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

OCS staff has consulted with Westat, the implementation evaluation contractor, to refine survey items and develop biweekly reporting to grant recipients. OCS staff will be responsible for the collection and analysis of the data.

OCS Staff

Jessica Hale, Program Evaluator, Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, jessica.hale@acf.hhs.gov, (202) 401-4835

Juliana Melara, Policy Advisor, Office of the Director, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children & Families, juliana.melara@acf.hhs.gov, 315-744-2490

Benjamin Wills, Program Specialist, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, Benjamin.Wills@acf.hhs.gov, 206-550-2471

Regine Adrien, Program Specialist, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, regine.adrien@acf.hhs.gov, 202-205-9741

Julia Rabin, Program Specialist, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, Julia.Rabin@acf.hhs.gov, 202-207-9485

Bridgette Sullivan, Program Specialist, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, Bridgette.Sullivan@acf.hhs.gov, 202-207-3707

Westat Staff

Allison Hyra, Project Director, Westat, allisonhyra@westat.com, 301-212-3276

Kelsey Gray, Associate Vice President, Westat, KelseyGray@westat.com, 301-212-3221

Olivia Iles, Lead Research Associate, Westat, oliviailes@westat.com, 301-212-3241