FR 2021-00002

The document published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines a new project aimed at tackling the serious issue of violence against children and youth in the United States. The CDC seeks to implement the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) within selected communities to better understand and address various forms of violence that affect young people. This effort, which is a novel initiative for the U.S., is intended to provide crucial data to support prevention and intervention strategies.

General Summary

The CDC has proposed an information collection project that involves conducting a new survey, the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS), in the United States. This pilot project will initially focus on two distinct locations: Baltimore and rural Garrett County, Maryland. The survey aims to investigate the scope and nature of physical, sexual, and emotional violence experienced by children and youth, and assess related risk factors. The data collected will be instrumental in shaping future strategies to combat such violence.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several concerns arise from the document that warrant consideration:

1. Financial Implications: The document does not explicitly detail the costs or funding sources associated with this project, leaving room for concerns about potential financial inefficiencies or wasteful spending.

2. Coordination with Existing Efforts: There is no mention of how this data collection will be harmonized with existing efforts to avoid duplication and make efficient use of resources.

3. Selection of Pilot Locations: The rationale for selecting Baltimore and Garrett County as pilot sites is not discussed, which may lead to questions about geographic and demographic representation.

4. Complexity of Methodology: The document contains technical language that may be difficult for the general public to fully grasp. Moreover, the use of technology for data collection assumes availability that may not be consistent across all communities.

5. Ethical Considerations: Absent from the document is a discussion on ethical procedures, such as participant privacy and informed consent, which are crucial due to the sensitive nature of the survey's subject matter.

6. Utilization of Findings: The document lacks clarity on how the survey results will be communicated to the public or used to guide policy-making, which affects the perceived utility of the project.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The implementation of the VACS project has potential broad implications for the public and specific stakeholders:

• Broad Public Impact: For the general public, especially families and communities affected by youth violence, this survey represents a critical step towards validating their experiences and driving systemic changes to mitigate violence.

• Positive Stakeholder Impact: Public health officials and policymakers stand to gain from the data-driven insights that could inform more effective violence prevention strategies.

• Negative Stakeholder Impact: If not conducted thoughtfully, the pilot's focus locations might leave out other regions that equally need attention, leading to perceived inequities.

• Respondent Concerns: Participants in the survey may face privacy concerns, and the burdens of participation should be minimized to facilitate engagement from diverse populations.

Overall, while the CDC's project is a promising initiative likely to contribute significantly to understanding and preventing violence against youth in the U.S., careful consideration of the issues mentioned could enhance its effectiveness and acceptance.