Maximizing the return of parent consent forms

Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (PL 108-355) grantees are required to obtain active parent consent prior to allowing children to participate in grant-related programming. This requirement has been extended to Linking Adolescents at Risk to Mental Health Services (RFA No. SM-05-019) grantees. Active parent consent is commonly obtained by sending permission forms home with students. This paper provides practical and research-based recommendations to improving the return rates of parental consent forms.