Periodically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish a summary of information collection requests under OMB review, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). To request a copy of these documents, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer at 301–443–7978.
The goal underlying the training and education opportunities provided through the ATTCs is to enhance the competencies of professionals in a variety of disciplines to address the clinical needs of individuals with substance abuse problems using research-based curricula and training materials through both traditional and non-traditional technologies.
The ATTCs disseminate current health services research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Mental Health, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, National Institute of Justice, and other sources and applied knowledge development activities from SAMHSA using innovative technologies by developing and updating state-of-the-art research-based curricula and developing faculty and trainers. Participants in ATTC events are self-identified and participate in either academic courses, continuing education/professional development training events, technical assistance or meetings. Academic courses are offered at all levels. Continuing education/professional development training is designed to meet identified needs of counselors and other professionals who work with individuals with substance abuse problems. A technical assistance is a jointly planned consultation generally involving a series of contacts between the ATTC and an outside organization/institution during which the ATTC provides expertise and gives direction toward resolving a problem or improving conditions. A meeting is an ATTC sponsored or co-sponsored event in which a group of people representing one or more agencies other than the ATTC work cooperatively on a project, problem, and/or a policy.
Both a process and an outcome assessment will be conducted. The process component will describe the training and education needs of pre-service and currently practicing professionals, the types of events that participants receive through the ATTCs, and their satisfaction with services. The outcome component will focus on changes in clinical practice made by participants as a result of knowledge received.
Analysis of this information will assist CSAT in documenting the numbers and types of participants in ATTC events, describing the extent to which participants improve in their clinical competency, and which method is most effective in disseminating knowledge to the various audiences. This type of information is crucial to support CSAT in complying with GPRA reporting requirements and will inform future development of knowledge dissemination activities.
The study design for trainees will include a description of each event, and a pre-post design that collects identical information at initiation of ATTC courses/trainings, at the completion of the course/training, and again after 30 days. For technical assistance and meeting events, there will be a description of each event and demographic information will be collected from participants before the event. In addition, the study will collect satisfaction measures after each event and at 30-day follow-up using the required GPRA forms. Follow-up forms will be sent to a sample of 25% of participants at events. The chart below summarizes the annualized burden for this project.
Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of this notice to: Lauren Wittenberg, Human Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503; due to potential delays in OMB's receipt and processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, respondents are encouraged to submit comments by fax to: 202–395–6974.