Program and Evaluation Participation Assent Form for
Subjects Ages 16 to Age of Majority
You are being invited to participate in a research study. Participation in this research study is voluntary. The Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring this research study. This research study is called Project HEARTS (Healthy Exploration of Adolescent Relationships Training and Strategies). EntreNous Youth Empowerment Services will be offering Project HEARTS in a virtual Zoom setting.
Project HEARTS encourages healthy decision making, relationship skills, promotes family planning and prevention, and asks young people to be actively engaged in their own education and wellbeing. This program was designed to be implemented over 2 weeks to youth between the ages 16-19 years old. The program will be held over 2 weeks on Tuesdays-Thursdays, for a total of 6 days and 12 program hours. About 240 youth subjects will participate in this study. The purpose of this research study is to track the implementation and outcomes of the Project HEARTS program.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE STUDY?
Participation in this program is voluntary. This program is paired with a research study. As part of that process, you will be asked to complete a short survey at the beginning of the program to help us learn more about who we are reaching. At the end of the program, you will be asked to complete another short survey to give us feedback on the program. Both surveys are voluntary, and you can choose not to take them or to skip any questions you wish.
Both of these surveys will be anonymous and your name will not be on either form.
If you have any questions about your participation, you or your parent/legal guardian can contact the study investigator listed on the first page of this form.
RISKS OF STUDY PROCEDURES
Discomfort with Questionnaires
If you find any part of the surveys in this study upsetting, you do not need to answer any questions that you are not comfortable with. Though it is always better to have fully completed questionnaires, you do not need to answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable.
Loss of Confidentiality
There is a risk of loss of confidentiality. This risk minimized in the following ways:
The survey will not include any identifying information. Subjects will be assigned a unique ID number which will appear on their surveys.
WILL WHAT I SAY BE KEPT PRIVATE?
Your record of participation and surveys done for this study will be seen by the study investigator, and other people who run and manage the study. People who make sure that the study is being done the right way may also see it. If the information about the study is sent anywhere else, it will not have your name on it.
WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THIS STUDY?
You do not have to be in the study if you do not want to. You can also decide to start the study now and then stop being in it at any time. No one will be mad at you if you decide not to be in the study or decide to stop being in it later.
ASSENT
Please check below whether or not you willingly agree to participate in Project HEARTS and the research study. Then sign, date, and submit.