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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>July 1, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>In 2003, we obtained a list
of all of the alternative high schools in Iowa and attempted to contact the
directors of each program to determine the actual number of high school youth
enrolled in alternative high schools. We were successful in contacting most of
the programs via e-mail or phone and began collecting data in 2004 from youth
in alternative high schools. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Originally, programs were
randomly selected to participate in the study, which focuses on the mental
health needs of Iowa youth in the alternative high school programs. Our return
rate was quite low and we have continued to gather data during the 2005 through
2008 academic years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>In order to gather an
adequate data base, we are contacting program directors/leaders again to
see if they are interested in participating in the study. If so, we will either
mail or deliver in person the Informed Consent Documents that the
University of Iowa requires for participation in a research study. The Informed
Consent Document provides details about our project. Students 18 years of
age or older may sign the Consent Document if they agree to participate;
students under 18 years of age must have parent/guardian signature to
participate in the study. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>If you are interested in
participating in our study either this summer (if you have summer school) or
this fall please let us know as soon as possible. You may contact us via
e-mail or phone. We also need to know how many students are in your program
(summer and/or fall) in order to send you the correct number of consent forms.
You would be asked to gather the signed consent forms and administer the
Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R ) to the students. This instrument can be
administered to a large group of students or to individual students and will
take about 15 minutes for students to complete. We would ask that
you allow class time for those participating to complete the SCL-90-R.
Participating students should not put their names on the SCL-90-R. This
is one way of insuring confidentiality of responses. We will provide $5 coupons
to a fast food restaurant to those students who return the signed consent forms
and complete the instrument <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I have attached a copy of the
Informed Consent Form.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Although we cannot give you
information about specific students, we will be able to provide you and the
students with our overall findings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Thank you so much for your
assistance. If at any time you have questions or need further
information, please contact me at the phone number or e-mail address listed
below.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Kathryn Gerken, Ph.D<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Director of Training and
Internship Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>School Psychology Program<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>362 Lindquist Center<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The University of Iowa<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Iowa City, IA 52242<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Phone: 319-335-5333<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Fax: 319-335-6145<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>E-mail: <a href="mailto:kathryn-gerken@uiowa.edu">kathryn-gerken@uiowa.edu</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Kathryn
Gerken, Ph.D.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Director
of Training and Internship Coordinator</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>School
Psychology Program</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>362
LC</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The
University of Iowa</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Iowa
City, IA 52242</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Phone:319-335-5333</span><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Fax:319-335-6145</span><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>E-mail:kathryn-gerken@uiowa.edu</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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