Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
11
Viv Lees, Branch ChiefChild Nutrition Division
USDA Food & Nutrition Service
SNA State Agency Conference December 1, 2011
22
Provide technical support to State Agencies (SAs) and FNS Regional Offices (ROs) to promote successful implementation of automated solutions to improve outcomes in:
CN program administration and performance
Access to CN program benefits through direct certification, direct verification and other automated means, and
Federal reporting on program outcomes
33
FNS Child Nutrition Staff
44
Julia Thorius Errol Baker Patrick Harding
FNS Consultants
55
Major focus areas in Year 1
CN State Systems Workgroup (CNSSW) – Listening to States & FNS regional offices (ROs)
Grants for CN technology projects
Direct certification improvement efforts, including Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act provisions
Technical assistance (TA) to States on CN technology issues
Collaboration with the CN technology community
SSSB Major Focus Areas
66
Purpose of Workgroup:
To inform and guide the work of CND SSSB in assessing State technology TA needs and best approaches for delivering TA to States.
Selected workgroup members – 10 State representatives (plus 2 backups)
4 FNS RO representatives (plus 1 backup)
3 FNS HQ (including consultant)
CNSSW
77
CNSSWState and FNS CNSSW Members and Alternates
Name Location
Brad Blunt Kentucky
Scott Clements Mississippi
Vonda Cook (Fekete) Pennsylvania
Janet W. Johnson North Carolina
Jeanette Johnson-Reed Minnesota
Donna Parsons Washington
Michelle Pyle Kansas
Robin Roark Texas
Hugh Shelton Tennessee
Jessica Sharkus Wisconsin
John Todd Indiana
Lynn Warner Colorado
State Members
Name Location
Penny Burke FNS MPRO
Tiffany Carrington FNS MWRO
Rick Hargreaves FNS SERO
Sandra Harris FNS MARO
Ashley Ryckman FNS WRO
Viv Lees FNS HQ - CND
Patty von Reyn FNS HQ - CND
Julia Thorius Consultant
FNS Members
88
Held first meeting in Nashville, July 2011
Captured group’s feedback in 2 areas: CN State Technology Systems in general,
and
Direct Certification systems specifically
CNSSW
99
1010
Looked at 4 areas for overall technologies and Direct Certification systems
Strengths
Challenges
Needs
Possibilities
Combined and prioritized needs and possibilities into a State CN Systems priority list for each area
CNSSW
1111
Direct Certification (DC) Priorities Identified
1. Get FNS-742 Verification Summary Report changes to States in time to make system changes for reporting correctly for SY 2012-2013
2. Improve DC rate formula to more accurately calculate State DC rates with SNAP
3. Encourage & fund the use of more user groups (like CNSSW) – need more States sharing with States opportunities. Include technology vendors and work toward system standardization
4. Make DC an interdepartmental priority
CNSSW
1212
Direct Certification (DC) Priorities Identified (cont)
5. Improve/provide/encourage training and TA
6. Improve accountability of data at the local levels – i.e., real-time matching, SAs meet with POS vendors, require USDA vendor approval process, etc.
7. Provide DC definitions and standards – i.e., when is a DC counted as a DC, standardize matching algorithms, etc.
8. Improve IT presence – require dedicated IT staff for DC activities at the local and State levels
CNSSW
1313
1414
General CN Technology System Priorities Identified
1. Develop system standards – establish minimum system requirements for vendors to use for State and local-level systems, including point of sale (POS) systems
2. Create a database/repository for CN State systems information and make available for State research
3. Encourage user groups, including the vendor community
4. Establish a common set of data across agencies so that when data is collected it means the same thing to all
5. Perform technology systems ownership inventory - what has FNS already paid for that could be used again, rather than duplicating development?
CNSSW
1515
General CN Technology System Priorities Identified (cont)
6. Step up efforts to increase support from US Dept of Ed & other Federal agencies that share data
7. Address confidentiality rules, in light of changing technologies, across Federal agencies/programs
8. Encourage user groups, including vendors
9. Prepare/provide training materials – i.e., how to write a technology RFP, including minimum system requirements
10.Improve the IT presence
CNSSW
1616
Manage application & award processes for grants to fund technology, training, and other program integrity projects:
2010-2012 Direct Certification Grants
Direct Certification and Verification Grants (closed)
Administrative Review and Training (ART) Method I & II Grants
Manage active grants and provide technical assistance to grantee States during grant period
Evaluate grant progress and program outcomes
Grant Support
1717
Technology Contractor (DRT Strategies) provides TA, evaluation, and collaboration services to ART Method II grantees:
TA needs assessments
Onsite technical assistance 1-2 times annually
Webinars/webcasts for training, showcasing projects, sharing best practices and lessons learned, etc
Annual TA meeting with all grantees
Industry research and development of TA tools and resources
Grant Support
1818
Initiatives to help States understand DC rates and learn what other States are doing
Liaison with FNS Office of Research & Analysis (ORA) on direct certification studies
Informational webinars on direct certification Report to Congress each year
Onsite visits & conference calls to study State practices & exchange information between States
Manage DC grant applications, recent amendments to application process, outreach to States, webinars & workshops to encourage applications
Direct Certification
1919
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act DC Provisions
In Coordination with FNS Policy Staff & Regional Offices, provide TA to States on DC issues:
Elimination of letter method as method of direct certification for children in SNAP householdsBenchmarks and Continuous Improvement Plans (CIPs) for direct certification with SNAPState performance awards for direct certification with SNAPDemonstrations to test direct certification with Medicaid
Direct Certification
2020
Planning for Procurement of Technology Contractor to provide Direct Certification TA, evaluation, and collaboration services to States
Direct Certification TA needs assessments
Onsite technical assistance visits
Webinars/webcasts for training, showcasing projects, sharing best practices and lessons learned, etc
Industry research and development of TA tools and resources
Direct Certification
2121
Collaborate with States, FNS Regional Offices, FNS Leadership, and Other Partner Agencies to:
Follow through on priorities identified by CNSSW
Continue to assess State TA needs & assist in trouble-shooting State technology issues
Provide venues for State-to-State collaboration
Provide information and training on industry best practices for technology implementation
Other Technical Assistance & Support to
States
2222
Work with other FNS programs (SNAP, WIC) to establish similar advance planning and approval processes for Federally funded automation
Advocate for States on funding and resources for technologies that help improve direct certification, counting, claiming, application & verification processes, reporting, and overall program outcomes
Collaborate with the vendor community to identify innovative technology solutions for CN programs & encourage competition and standardization
The Future
2323
Most Important!!
Listen to what States are telling us
Learn everything we can about State technologies so that we can provide quality assistance
Take responsive steps to help States leverage automation to improve program access, accountability, and operations
The Future
2424
It’s Your Turn…
2525
Contact Information
Vivian Lees, Branch Chief,
CND State Systems Support
Branch
USDA Food & Nutrition Service
(703) 305-2322
