In September 2020, USDA awarded approximately $3.2 million in Data and Technical Assistance (DATA) grants to five states. These grants are intended to support the full range of needs state agencies may have related to the development, collection, reporting, analysis and use of SNAP E&T participant outcome data. Among other things, funds can be used for training and capacity building, including efforts to improve E&T data quality; information technology systems development to support the collection, reporting, and analysis of SNAP E&T data; and/or continuous program improvement of SNAP E&T programs.
The SNAP Employment and Training Program Monitoring, Oversight & Reporting Measures interim final rule was published on March 24, 2016. The rule implemented section 4022(a)(2) of the Agriculture Act of 2014 requiring state agencies to report on, among other things, earnings and employment outcomes for SNAP E&T participants. State agencies began reporting outcome data in January 2018.
District of Columbia Department of Human Services will develop and implement a web-based user interface platform to support the collection, reporting, and analysis of all SNAP E&T data including program outcomes. DC also will expand its capacity to track SNAP E&T participants’ training and employment outcomes through structured data checks with third-party employment tracking systems in order to conduct more comprehensive analyses on outcomes, including predictive analyses. In addition to meeting FNS reporting requirements, these enhancements will allow DC to analyze employment trends by characteristics, occupation, wage, and service providers.
Georgia Department of Human Services will conduct a business process redesign (BPR) project to understand the SNAP administrative data available, including data from outside entities such as Unemployment Insurance (UI) wage records. The BPR would include process mapping and program analysis; gap analysis and business requirements development; new process design; and building out of enhancements to the Georgia Gateway system for the purposes of leveraging the use of administrative data for program management and continuous program improvement of the SNAP E&T program.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Economic & Housing Stability will add E&T case management functionality to their existing platform that integrates data from SNAP, TANF and UI wage records. The case management system would include component tracking and outcome measures to facilitate SNAP E&T required reporting.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will create a permanent data interface to support performance monitoring, continuous quality improvement, and program management in the states SNAP E&T program. This project builds on the states FY 2017 DATA grant which integrated data from four unconnected sources to create a SNAP E&T performance and reporting database. This new interface will allow managers and front line staff to access information contained in the database in order to create performance dashboards as well as an array of operational reports needed to guide program operations, assess the effectiveness of initiatives, and adjust operations rapidly to improve client outcomes.
Tennessee Department of Human Services will enhance its current statewide portal to develop SNAP E&T dashboards and reports that drive program design, strategic approaches, and modifications. Activities include developing appropriate component measures, including measures that capture interim milestones for participants; analyzing SNAP E&T data to understand which E&T services and strategies are most effective in helping SNAP participants toward economic self-sufficiency; and using SNAP E&T data for continuous program improvement.