2003 NSDUH Data Collection Final Report

Appendix A
New-to-Project Home Study Cover Memo

TO:  New-to-Project Field Interviewers

FROM:  David Cunningham, National Field Director

SUBJECT:  Home Study Package for the 2003 NSDUH Field Interviewer Training Session

Welcome to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). We are pleased to have you working with us on one of our country's most important studies.

Enclosed are all of the materials you need to prepare successfully for your upcoming Field Interviewer (FI) training session. This home study training package includes several important components. Please try to complete all parts of this home study package within five (5) days of receipt. This will help us ensure that everyone has all of the materials needed prior to training.

The specific items you should have received in this package are:

• This Cover Memo: with specific instructions on how to complete your home study materials.
  
  
• 2003 NSDUH FI Manual: a 3-ring binder containing project-specific information you will need to complete your NSDUH assignment. Also included in this binder is the FI Computer Manual (see next item).
  
  
• 2003 NSDUH FI Computer Manual: covers how to use and care for your Newton handheld computer and Gateway laptop. The computer manual is included in the 3-ring binder, but it is bound separately so you can remove it from the binder and carry it with you in the field. You will receive your computer equipment shortly after you arrive at your training site.
  
  
• Home Study Exercises: There are two sets of exercises: one covers information in the FI Manual and one covers information in the FI Computer Manual. It is required that you complete these exercises and bring the completed home study with you to training. You will turn them in at training registration. Please be sure that both home study exercises are complete and ready to submit when you arrive at registration.

There is a precise order in which we need you to complete this home study package.

The order in which you are to complete this home study package is:

1. Read this memo in its entirety.
   
   
2. Carefully review the NSDUH FI Manual, and the NSDUH FI Computer Manual. These two manuals are most effective when reviewed together, according to the following order:
   
   

	FI Manual		FI Computer Manual
Read First:	Chapters 1 & 2	then	Chapters 1, 2 & 3
Read Second:	Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 6	then	Chapters 4 & 5
Read Third:	Chapters 7 & 8	then	Chapter 6
Read Fourth:	Chapters 9, 10 & 11	then	Chapter 7 & 8
Read Fifth:	Chapter 12



3. Complete the Home Study Review Questions from the FI Manual and the FI Computer Manual. Bring the completed review questions with you to training.

Below are additional details on the homestudy process and your upcoming training session.

• The home study process is considered to be mandatory supplemental training, i.e. preparatory training for your attendance at the FI training session. While at training, there also will be a number of evening "Field Interviewer Labs (FI Labs)" to offer trainees additional review, assistance and practice with whatever topics were covered during the training day. In the interest of strengthening your skills, your trainers may request that you attend one or more FI Labs. If they do not, however, you always will be welcome to attend if you would like more practice with the study materials and equipment.
  
  
• Every FI will be required to undergo a certification at the end of training. This certification will ensure that all graduating FIs understand the project procedures.
  
  
• After training every FI is required to complete a homework assignment and undergo a post-training teleconference with their Field Supervisor. You will be given the post-training homework before you leave training. Soon after you return home from training you are required to schedule your post-training teleconference with your Field Supervisor.
  
  
• Because of the importance we attach to these non-classroom training activities, we will compensate you for the time spent on the extra-training (home study, FI Labs, certification, homework and a post-training teleconference). The check you will receive for attending training will include payment for 19 hours of additional, non-classroom training time (that is, in addition to the payment you will receive for regular classroom time while at training).
  
  
• We are paying you for these extra-training activities because your mastery of NSDUH procedures and protocols is crucial to the success of the project. Careful completion of the home study exercises and the post-training homework assignment, participation in the FI Labs, successful completion of the project certification, and attendance on your post-training teleconference with your supervisor will ensure that you are able to complete your assignment successfully.
  
  
• To review, there are several important things you must do prior to arrival at training:
  
  
1. Complete this home study exercise, in its entirety. All review questions (FI Manual and FI Computer Manual) must be completed and brought to training.
   
   
2. In addition to some of the items already noted, there are other specific project materials you must bring with you to training. The list below is designed so that you can check off items as you pack for training:



	Items You Must Bring to Training
	2003 NSDUH FI Manual
	2003 NSDUH Computer Manual
	Completed Home Study Review Questions       FI Manual Questions       FI Computer Manual Questions
	All required Headway Forms needing signatures as well as the proper identification necessary for Section 2 of your I-9 Form. All forms are located in your Headway Employment Package, sent by Headway in a separate shipment.



• When you arrive at the hotel for training, you should:
  
  
• Upon arrival at the hotel, go to the front desk to register for your room. Ask the front desk the location of the NSDUH Welcome Center where you will need to check in with the project staff once you have checked in to your room. Be sure you have your completed home study, all required Headway forms, and appropriate ID for employment verification (i.e., driver's license and Social Security Card or passport) with you when you go to the NSDUH Welcome Center.
  
  

You will complete the following registration activities at the NSDUH Welcome Center:

• turn in all of your completed home study review questions
  
  
• complete any necessary administrative forms
  
  
• have your photo taken for your ID badge
  
  
• receive information about the training schedule and the location of the training session beginning the next day at 8:15 a.m. and ending at approximately 5:00 p.m.
  
  
• Keep in mind that it is often difficult to regulate the heating/cooling in training rooms to everyone's satisfaction. Bring a light jacket or sweater so that you are better able to control your personal comfort.

Now that you have read this memo in its entirety, you may proceed with step 2, your review of the FI Manual and FI Computer Manual.

If you have any questions about the information contained in this home study package, or any other project-related questions, please contact your Field Supervisor.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing you at training!

	Click to Return to OAS Home Page   Click to Email OAS Data Questions    Click For Non-frames / text version of site
This page was last updated on May 20, 2008 . SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.     Privacy Statement  |  Site Disclaimer  |   Accessibility What's New Highlights Topics Data Drugs Pubs Short Reports Treatment Help Mail OAS