July 21 -- The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, invites comments by September 19. 2022 on the proposed extension of the Building Evidence on Employment Strategies (BEES) Project. It is not proposing any changes to the currently approved materials.
The purpose of BEES is to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of programs designed to improve employment and earnings outcomes for individuals with low incomes. More specifically, BEES is primarily evaluating programs that serve adults whose employment prospects have been affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental health conditions. This is being accomplished through impact and implementation studies. When possible, a randomized control trial research design is being used for the impact evaluations. This request for an extension is to complete the following data collection activities: baseline, updated contact information, and follow up surveys for the impact studies; an online staff survey; and qualitative interviews with program participants and staff. In addition to collecting these data, the BEES project will continue to maintain consent forms for the collection of administrative data. Data collected is being used to estimate the effects of the participating programs on employment, earnings, and other key outcomes for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of the programs.
The respondents in this extension will include individuals who will enroll in BEES and complete the baseline survey during this period. All study participants will be fielded the follow up survey. We will also conduct qualitative interviews with program staff and participants in the participating sites 1-2 times. Lastly, program staff will be asked to complete a web-based survey.
BEES Project webpage:
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/project/building-evidence-employment-strategies-project-bees
Previously approved BEES collection:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202112-0970-013 Click on IC list for data collection instruments, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-15633
