Education and Administrative Reporting System
Purpose
FNS has developed an ongoing reporting system for
the nutrition education component of the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP). The new
Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS) will provide
uniform data and information about the nutrition education activities of
all participating States across the country. The data collected under
the new system will include demographic characteristics of participants
receiving nutrition education benefits, information about education
strategies and content, as well as about resource use. The EARS will
provide FNS with uniform national data and information that will inform
management decisions, support policy initiatives, provide documentation
for legislative, budget and other requests, and support planning within
the agency.
The information collected in the new report
will be used by FNS to inform program and policy decision and to respond
to requests from Congress as well.
Background
SNAP is the largest
nutrition assistance program administered by the United States
Department of Agriculture. In 2006, the Program served 26.6 million
people each month. Nutrition education is an important but optional part
of SNAP that plays an essential role in assisting SNAP recipients in making healthy food and active lifestyles choices.
Currently, 52 State Agencies provide nutrition
education as a part of the SNAP. States submit an annual report
containing some demographic information and a summary of progress in
implementing prior year’s plans. However, there is wide variation in the
type of information provided. The phenomenal growth of SNAP
nutrition education over the last several years is a testament to both
its importance and popularity.
Many factors contribute to the growth of FSNE.
The alarming increase in diet related diseases, overweight, and obesity
has resulted in growing recognition of the value of nutrition education
in both helping SNAP participants become more self-sufficient but
also in improving their chances for a healthier and more productive
life. Federal and States policy makers are also more aware of the value
of nutrition education in helping SNAP recipients provide their
families with a nutritious diet while they are on the program and as
they make the transition from welfare to work.
The rapid growth of the Program presents FNS
with a number of challenges. One of the challenges identified in the
April 28, 2000 OANE report of FSNE is the need to develop reporting
systems to report both the number of clients being served by agencies
and agency progress in meeting goals and objectives. EARS is a step
forward meeting this challenge.
Data from the new reporting system will aid FNS
in documenting the scope and reach of nutrition education provided
through SNAP as well as progress in meeting goals and objectives.
Approach
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) initiated
the development of EARS in 2003. To ensure that the report reflected the
needs of both FNS and States, the agency used a collaborative approach
in developing the reporting system by convening an EARS work group of
diverse experts for this purpose. The EARS work group consisted of
stakeholders with a wide range of skills and expertise relevant to this
task, including people from the State, local, and federal levels, as
well as academia. FNS also retained the services of contractors to
facilitate the activities of the work group and to aid in planning and
testing the reporting system.
The developmental process also allowed ample opportunities for input
from other stakeholders, advocates and other interest parties. The
process allowed opportunities for both informal and formal comments
periods through development. In addition, FNS obtained the services of a
contractor to test the form in six States.
OMB Clearance
FNS submitted the EARS ICR to OMB on January,
10, 2007. FNS received feedback from OMB in April 2007. After extensive
negotiations, FNS and OMB staff reached an agreement on all issues on
August 14, 2007. This included a commitment by FNS to integrate EARS and
the annual narrative report to eliminate duplications and link these
efforts.
Implementation
Under the current schedule, States will begin submitting data for EARS
at the end of FY2008. States have a grace period of about 2.5 years to
collect and report data all components in EARS applicable to them. By
2010 all States should be in full compliance.
To facilitate reporting and analysis of this
data, FNS is developing an online EARS submission system that utilizes
the current FNS reporting infrastructure. This system will be a
component of the current FPRS and NDB.
Training and Technician assistance are
essential components of the implementation plan. FNS has obtained the
services of a contractor to assist in developing, testing, coordinating
and implementing the EARS training. Training will start in FY2008 and
continue thru FY2009 as needed. Training tools and plans are under
development.
Last modified:
11/21/2008
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