This is a change request for OMB# 0920-0941, which received approval through May 2016 for the multi-site evaluation of Dating Matters. The current request aims to amend the available administration formats for the student follow-up survey for the participating youth as they matriculate from middle school into high school, and to introduce participant gifts for the completion of the student follow-up survey by high school youth. The follow-up survey was approved for high school youth in a previous change request (September 2013); however, over the past year, the study team has become increasing concerned about our ability to follow participating youth once they enter high school, given the high risk nature of our sample. We believe that response rates would be greatly enhanced by using additional survey formats and by providing incentives. Response rates for the follow-up survey were anticipated to be 90%, however, in the first administration of the survey in 2012/2013, within school year (e.g., Fall to Spring) follow-up with the middle school students proved challenging due to community characteristics - such as high mobility - and as a result we achieved an overall response rate of 73%. Rates were particularly low among the oldest youth (56.3%), who will be the first cohort to enter high school. Efforts to improve response rates for middle school youth are underway, however, we have particular concerns for youth who matriculate from middle school to high school, as they will be in different school buildings and their schools will no longer be participating in the programmatic components of the Dating Matters initiative. Therefore, we propose 1) to amend the available administration formats for the student follow-up survey for the participating youth as they matriculate into high school, and 2) to use of incentives for those students who will matriculate from middle school into high school in order to bolster response rates.
US Code:
42 USC 301
Name of Law: Public Health Service Act
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.