LIHEAP IM 2011-11 Update on the New Performance Measures and Upcoming Webinars

Publication Date: September 22, 2011
Current as of:
Transmittal No.  LIHEAP-IM-2011-11 Date:  September, 22, 2011
TO:

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) GRANTEES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

GUIDANCE
INTENDED FOR: 

X STATES
   TRIBES/TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS
   TERRITORIES

SUBJECT:

Update on the New LIHEAP Performance Measures and Upcoming Webinars

RELATED
REFERENCES:

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act, as amended (Title XXVI of Public Law 97-35, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, as amended); 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 96; Final Rule amending HHS block grant regulations (64 Federal Register, 55843, October 15, 1999); Government Performance Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62); Office of Management and Budget’s Program Assessment Rating Tool.

PURPOSE:

To announce the data collection efforts of the LIHEAP Performance Measures Implementation Work Group and encourage State grantees to collect data on the new performance measures for LIHEAP during Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2012. To provide information on the two data collection rollout webinars on September 27, 2011 and October 5, 2011 at 2:00pm Eastern Time.

BACKGROUND:

Since April 2010, the LIHEAP Performance Measures Implementation Work Group (PMIWG) has been diligently working to increase the awareness around the new performance measures for LIHEAP, to create tools to facilitate the collection of data, and to develop implementation recommendations for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Some of the activities of the work group have included the grantee needs assessment conducted last year, the 2011 NEUAC session presentation on partnering to measure performance, and the presentations at the NEADA meetings.  The work group has used these activities to seek the ideas, input, and involvement of State LIHEAP directors to capture and address the common and unique needs of State LIHEAP programs around implementing LIHEAP performance measures.  To view documents related to the new performance measures, as well as the work group’s templates and other tools, visit the PMIWG’s Basecamp site at:  https://acf2.basecamphq.com/login .

CONTENT:

 

Although the PMIWG has made substantial progress toward developing recommendations on the implementation of the new performance measures for LIHEAP, several important tasks remain.  Among these tasks is the preliminary collection of data on the new performance measures by State grantees during a full FFY.  Consequently, the work group is asking State directors to volunteer to collect and report on the new measures for FFY 2012.  By testing these measures for a full year, grantees can help the work group identify specific issues around data collection, whether they are related to IT system challenges, utility company resistance, or funding limitations.  The information you will provide on the usefulness, complexity, and difficulties of the new performance measures will help shape the implementation recommendations submitted to HHS.

To facilitate the reporting of the new performance measures, the PMIWG has created an online reporting tool.  States will have access to a web-based application to submit their FFY 2012 data online.  The online tool will allow the work group to collect, track, and analyze the data of every grantee who voluntarily participates.  Participants will also be able to obtain reports on submitted data.

During two upcoming webinars, the PMIWG will give a presentation on its data collection initiative, solicit State volunteers to participate in collecting data, and provide a demonstration on how to use the online reporting tool.  The work group, along with an APPRISE staff member, will be available to answer any questions you have about collecting and reporting on the new performance measures.  The two webinars will occur at the following times:

Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Time:  2:00pm Eastern Time
Telephone Number:  1-800-369-1820
Audio Passcode:  7017592
Webinar URL Address: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW8037923&p=7017592&...
Webinar Conference Number:  PW8037923
Webinar Passcode:  7017592

Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Time:  2:00pm Eastern Time
Telephone Number:  1- 800-369-1820
Audio Passcode:  7017592
Webinar URL Address: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW8037941&p=7017592&...
Webinar Conference Number:  PW8037941
Webinar Passcode:  7017592

HHS encourages State grantees to participate in the PMIWG’s data collection initiative for FFY 2012 and in one of the associated webinars.  HHS values the collaboration with and input of State grantees in helping to implement the collection of the new performance measures for LIHEAP.

INQUIRIES TO:

Chad D. Sawyer, Program Specialist
Energy Policy and Evaluation Branch Telephone:  (202) 260-0277
E-mail:  chad.sawyer@acf.hhs.gov

 

 

/s/
Nick St. Angelo
Director
Division of Energy Assistance
Office of Community Services