Performance Measurement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Modernization Initiatives: Integrated Report.

摘要

Over the last decade, several factors have come together and substantially affected the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For example, the number of participants rose from 17 million people in fiscal year 2000 to 40 million in fiscal year 2010. At the same time, state budget crises led to staff cuts and federal agencies have emphasized increasing access to SNAP and participation among eligible individuals, while also increasing accuracy, and have provided incentives for states who achieve this. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), with responsibility for overall administration of SNAP, has supported the states in these efforts by providing them with several policy options to better tailor the program to the states specific needs. At the same time, substantial growth has occurred in the acceptance and use of technology for accessing a wide range of services. States have responded to these factors by seeking out ways to improve the efficiency of their service delivery with fewer staff and without affecting accuracy--collectively referred to as modernization. Modernization initiatives can include the following types of activities: policy simplification, restructuring organizational and administrative functions, partnering with other organizations, and the use of technology. Major changes to any program do not always go smoothly, however. Without methodical introduction of the changes and careful monitoring of how well the initiatives are working to achieve the states goals, service delivery can be affected negatively.