Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-7978.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of information are 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) ways to enhance 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.

Proposed Project: Assessment of Hablemos en Confianza Materials

New—In the United States, Hispanic/Latinos present a disproportionately higher prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, and marijuana use than other ethnic groups. In the Spring of 1995, the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services authorized the establishment of the Departmental Working Group on Hispanic Issues. Part of the Hispanic Agenda for Action calls for an increase in the Department's capacity to reach out and communicate with Hispanic/Latino populations using culturally and language appropriate techniques. In-depth literature review documented a lack of materials focusing on substance abuse prevention targeting Hispanic/Latino populations. Based on formative research, the “Hablemos en Confianza” kit (HEC) was designed specifically to respond to this need for culturally and language appropriate materials.

The HEC kit consists of five booklets addressing various aspects of communication between parents/caregivers with children, three fotonovelas with open-ended stories of Hispanic/Latino families who are learning to discuss and resolve the issue of alcohol and drug use by their children, and a poster for youth 13-17 years old. The dissemination of the materials was initiated in October, 1999 through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol, and Drug Information (NCADI). The information resulting from the proposed survey will be employed by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to assess the quality of the materials regarding cultural adequacy and clarity, as well as the short term impact of the messages. This information will be instrumental in highlighting areas that should be addressed in future CSAP prevention/education materials targeting Hispanic/Latino audiences.

The adequacy of the prevention messages will be assessed by conducting a survey to collect data on five major areas: (1) Assess the degree to which the materials raise awareness in parents/caregivers about the potential communication problems with their children regarding substance use/abuse matters; (2) assess the degree to which the materials prompt parents/caregivers to generate intent or to pursue actions toward improving communication with their children; (3) assess the degree to which the materials are perceived as providing and/or increasing adults' capacity to communicate with youth; (4) assess the quality of the materials (clarity of the messages, cultural adequacy, and attractiveness of the materials); and (5) determine whether there are aspects to be modified and/or enhanced in the development of future materials focusing substance use/abuse targeted to Hispanic/Latino audiences. The study population is composed of parents or care givers (person responsible for the care of the children) who have requested the materials from NCADI.

The following table presents the response burden for this project.

Send comments to Nancy Pearce, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 16-105, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.