SNAP E&T Data and Technical Assistance (DATA) Grants

Summary

On Sept. 15, 2023, USDA awarded approximately $5 million in SNAP E&T Data and Technical Assistance (DATA) Grants to five states. The purpose of these grants is to support the development of state SNAP E&T data collection and reporting systems. This year’s RFA specifically sought proposals that: 1) advance state use of data to address equity issues in SNAP E&T programs, or 2) help states improve the validity and reliability of their SNAP E&T data.

Key Objectives

1. Support the development of state data systems and processes that advance state and local government use of data to look inwardly at state policy and operational decisions to identify if they have impacts on equitable program participation and whether those impacts are positively or negatively impacting equitable outcomes.
2. Support the development of state data systems and processes that advance state and local government use of data to look outwardly to build an understanding of the environment in which SNAP E&T participants and SNAP E&T programs operate that may lead to inequitable outcomes for participants of various identities, backgrounds, and geographic locations.

FY 23 Awards

• District of Columbia Department of Human Services– approximately $975,000 will be used to focus on increasing the capacity of the District’s SNAP E&T program to assess and advance program equity and effectiveness. The project will analyze program services, perform a data landscape assessment to identify areas for improvement, and work with community partners to identify priority populations and strategies to increase program equity. The goal of the project will be the implementation of equity interventions, establishment of equity metrics, an equity report, and overall E&T data system improvements.
• Oregon Department of Human Services– approximately $1,500,000 will be used to perform a data landscape assessment, develop standardized data tools, establish a shared E&T data culture among partner organizations, complete an analysis of census and administrative data to see participation and outcome trends among SNAP populations, and perform a population equity assessment. The goals of the project will be to improve data collection practices and reliability and use data to increase program equity and more accurately track program outcomes.
• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services– approximately $946,000 will be used to focus on identifying and implementing strategies for using data to design, implement, monitor, and improve programs. The overall goal of the project is to outline the steps, resources, and policies needed to redesign the state’s E&T program in a more equitable way using data to understand program outcomes. The state will form a workgroup as a core strategy for completing their work plan.
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services– approximately $750,000 will be used to focus on improving the state’s SNAP E&T data validity and reliability. The project will focus on implementing data between SNAP E&T data systems and other SNAP information management data bases, update the electronic referral of E&T volunteers, and automate data collection and reporting on the FNS-583 data report.
• Connecticut Department of Social Services– approximately $820,000 will be used to enhance data validity and reliability through E&T FNS-583 report automation, integration of E&T data systems with both SNAP agency systems and those of sister agencies, and staff key data roles. The project includes eliminating the need for manual intervention in preparation of the FNS-583 report, integration of the state’s MIS system and the existing ImpaCT Eligibility system to assist in direct E&T referrals, eligibility updates, and connection with DOL wage data. Staff will be hired to provide data oversight and provide support for E&T providers.