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from both the Newton and the Gateway. The class then began a series of two paired mock
exercises encompassing the entire screening and interviewing process so that trainees could
practice the transition from the screening on the Newton to the CAI interview on the laptop.
Following each mock interview, a group review session was conducted by the trainer. At some
point during the practice mock interviews, trainees attempted a successful transmission on both
computers at a station in the training room. Certifications, FI Lab, and an optional "Closing the
Deal" Workshop were scheduled for the evening of Day 6.
5.2.3.7 Day 7
Day 7 included a discussion of the project's administrative procedures, project supplies,
data quality control, and proper documenting and reporting. The next section on troubleshooting
and technical support informed staff about the most common technical problems they might
encounter, steps to take to correct them, and when and how to contact Technical Support for
additional help. The next task was another individual interview exercise to allow trainees to
further explore the instrument at their own pace. A brief recap of the entire process of screening
and interviewing helped trainees review how all the tasks fit together. Any remaining trainee
certifications took place at the conclusion of the training day.
5.2.4 New-to-Project Bilingual Training (Day 8)
A trainer fluent in Spanish conducted a one-day session for RTI-Certified bilingual FIs
on the Spanish-language NSDUH materials. These FIs were trained to use the Spanish versions
of the screening introduction and rostering questions on the Newton, the CAI instrument, and
other 2003 supplemental materials. Only those FIs who were RTI-Certified bilingual
interviewers and who had been hired as bilingual interviewers attended this session.
5.2.5 Mentoring of New-to-Project Graduates
After completing New-to-Project training, all graduates were mentored by their FS,
another FS, or an experienced FI. Mentoring of all trainees was required, and usually occurred
within a week of training during a graduate's first trip to the field. Occasionally, this
recommended mentoring schedule was delayed due to unusual circumstances. Such delays were
rare and required pre-approval by the FS and RS.
Mentors were given standardized instructions (see Exhibit 5.2) to be sure all important
protocols learned during training were reinforced.
5.3 Veteran Field Interviewer Training Sessions
5.3.1 Design
To prepare the field interviewers chosen to continue from the 2002 NSDUH into 2003,
special Veteran FI training sessions were held in January 2003. Having regional sessions
throughout the nation served several purposes:
• Technical Support staff were able to properly load the 2003 programs and perform
routine maintenance on all FI equipment.
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