Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Audit Sandra Sandra Hilton, CPA Jamie Ralls, CFE, ACDA Ian Green, M.Econ, CGAP Scott Learn, MS Oregon Audits Division National State Auditors Association June 12, 2015 TANF Particulars TANF provides cash benefits and work supports to low income families with children. We picked the topic because of: The program’s link to workforce and poverty issues. Oregon’s history of poor results . The timeliness for implementing improvements at the end of the recession. The audit had a larger impact than we typically see. We believe this is because of the comprehensive approach we took. Audit Approach – what we learned Extensive graphics helped highlight important trends and tell a complicated story. Data matching identified substantial problems and demonstrated how the program could better use data to serve clients. Case reviews provided telling examples. More conversational writing helped draw more readers and increase impact. Telling a story 2007 2008 2009 Highlighting comparisons 50th Boiling down complex points High Wage Jobs Middle Wage Jobs Low Wage Jobs Change In Number of Jobs 25,000 0 -25,000 -50,000 -75,000 -100,000 -125,000 Jobs Gained Jobs Lost 29,535 25,131 17,400 926 5,764 3,601 Sources of quality graphic design Edward Tufte http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/ Visual Display of Quantitative Information Envisioning Information Visual Explanations Beautiful Evidence Stephen Few Show Me the Numbers Now You See It Stephanie Evergreen Presenting Data Effectively http://www.perceptualedge.com/ http://stephanieevergreen.com/ Data Summary Data analysis uncovered problems but also led us to solutions. The results of the data analysis painted a clear picture that helped to fully develop the findings. Results led us to review case notes of populations we might not have otherwise reviewed. Bad Data, Data Overload, Data Silos Useful data elements were not always captured or updated. Reports had limited value. Data Sharing was inadequate. Antiquated Systems Computer systems were antiquated and cumbersome. Case Managers had to wade through hundreds of narratives. No dashboard or summary No flags or reminders Merging the silos Data Set 1 Data Set 2 Results / Finding Clients without a Diploma or GED Clients participating in a GED program 30% of clients have not graduated from high school, yet only 2% were counted in a GED program Clients identified as having a disability (learning, mental, physical, cognitive, addiction) Clients with Case Plans and 20% of clients have some Clients by Activity type of disability, yet 60% do not have an active case plan. Of those with an active case plan, 80% have no activity. Clients by Highest Grade Level Completed Job Readiness Level (SL1, SL2, SL3) Clients with less than a 6th grade education were classified as “Job Ready” Persuading agency skeptics Washington data sharing: Writing Approach We tried to write more conversationally for readers unfamiliar with TANF. We included reader roadmaps – telling readers why they should care, summarizing, and putting conclusions first. We emphasized specifics and examples. Conversational Strategies We talked with colleagues and friends about our audit. We wrote down the simple, concise points we made when we were talking to each other. We read our writing aloud as a group, identifying boring sentences, jargon and confusing wording. Saying why readers should care The Goal: TANF is designed to help low-income parents with young children become more self-sufficient. The Results: Oregon clients spend relatively few hours in self-sufficiency activities. In our test month of June 2013, two thirds of clients recorded no activity at all. Putting conclusions first We didn’t want to force readers to muddle through a long string of facts or data. We tried to tell them the main point first. Oregon’s TANF program has a history of poor results on work-based federal performance measures. Focusing on specifics OK TANF serves low-income families. Better TANF serves thousands of the poorest families in the state, 96% with no income at all. Using telling examples and quotes Example: A case manager noted she “spoke frankly” with a (client) about “her tendency to promise me things and then to never follow through and ‘disappear.’” She told the client to get mental health counseling and report back. After that, however, no one contacted the client for 15 months. Quote: One case manager commented that “we spend way too much time and resources chasing clients and trying to make them accountable.” Developments TANF program redesign with an “accountable, flexible and person-centered approach.” Investment of $30 million in Governor’s Budget. Separate funding to help the program use data to improve case management. Questions & Contact Information Oregon Audits Division 255 Capitol Street NE STE 500 Salem, OR 97310 (503) 986-2255 Sandra.K.Hilton@state.or.us Jamie.N.Ralls@state.or.us Ian.M.Green@state.or.us Scott.Learn@state.or.us