Proposed Information Collection Activity

AGENCY:

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation; ACF; HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

Title: Evaluation of Employment Coaching for TANF and Related Populations—Second Follow-Up Survey (OMB #0970-0506).

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is proposing an additional data collection activity as part of the Evaluation of Employment Coaching for TANF and Related Populations. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs approved this information collection in March 2018 (0970-0506). ACF is proposing a second follow-up survey conducted as part of the evaluation.

This study will provide an opportunity to learn more about the potential of coaching to help clients achieve self-sufficiency and other desired employment-related outcomes. It will take place over five years in the following employment programs: MyGoals for Employment Success in Baltimore, MyGoals for Employment Success in Houston, Family Development and Self-Sufficiency program in Iowa, LIFT in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles; Work Success in Utah; and Goal4 It! in Jefferson County, Colorado. Together, these programs will include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agencies and other public or private employment programs that serve low-income individuals. Each site will have a robust coaching component and the capacity to conduct a rigorous impact evaluation. This study will provide information on whether coaching helps people obtain and retain jobs, advance in their careers, move toward self-sufficiency, and improve their overall well-being. To meet these objectives, this study includes an impact and implementation study, as approved by OMB.

This submission builds on the existing impact study, which randomly assigned participants to either a “program group,” who were paired with a coach, or to a “control group,” who were not paired with a coach. The effectiveness of the coaching will be determined by differences between members of the program and control groups in outcomes such as obtaining and retaining employment, earnings, measures of self-sufficiency, and measures of self-regulation.

The proposed information collection activity is a second follow-up survey, which will be available to participants approximately 21 months after random assignment. The second follow-up survey will provide rigorous evidence on whether the coaching interventions are effective, for whom, and under what circumstances.

Respondents: Individuals enrolled in the Evaluation of Employment Coaching for TANF and Related Populations. All participants will be able to opt out of participating in the data collection activities.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,600.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: OPRE Reports Clearance Officer. Email address: OPREinfocollection@acf.hhs.gov. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department specifically requests comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority: Section 413 of the Social Security Act, as amended by the FY 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31).