Deadline: 24-Aug-22
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is soliciting applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Data and Technical Assistance (DATA) Grants to support the development of State SNAP E&T data collection systems and processes, as well as enhance States’ ability to critically review and analyze program services and outcomes for continuous program improvement.
Purpose
In fiscal year 2022, the SNAP E&T Data Grants must serve one or both of the following purposes aligning with: Advancing racial equity, and improving data validity and reliability.
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First, FNS is seeking to support projects that help States make data-driven decisions to advance equity in SNAP E&T programs. FNS is interested in funding proposals that advance State’s use of data to:
- look inwardly at State policy and operational decisions to identify if they have impacts on equitable program participation and whether those impacts are positively or negatively impacting equitable outcomes; and
- look outwardly (e.g. labor market data, transportation, housing, education, child care, etc.) to build an understanding of the environment in which SNAP E&T participants and SNAP E&T programs operate that may lead to inequitable outcomes for participants of various identities, backgrounds, and geographic locations.
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Second, FNS is seeking to support projects that improve the validity and reliability of data that is reported to FNS and used to manage State program operations. FNS is interested in funding proposals that advance the State’s use of data to:
- support the development of processes, tools, reports or other instruments that will improve validity and reliability in the collection, cleaning, and analysis of State E&T data; and
- assist State and local SNAP agencies in developing frameworks, processes, organizational agreements, and/or trainings to improve the reliability and validity of State E&T data.
Objectives
- Support the development of State data systems and processes that advance State and local government use of data to look inwardly at State policy and operational decisions to identify if they have impacts on equitable program participation and whether those impacts are positively or negatively impacting equitable outcomes.
- Support the development of State data systems and processes that advance State and local government use of data to look outwardly to build an understanding of the environment in which SNAP E&T participants and SNAP E&T programs operate that may lead to inequitable outcomes for participants of various identities, backgrounds, and geographic locations.
- Assist State and local SNAP agencies in developing frameworks, processes, organizational understanding, trainings, and meaningful stakeholder engagement to aid in the ethical collection, analysis, and use of data while identifying meaningful actions and measure progress toward more equitable SNAP E&T engagement, participation, and outcomes.
- Support the development of processes, tools, reports or other instruments that will improve validity and reliability in the collection, cleaning, and analysis of State E&T data.
- Assist State and local SNAP agencies in developing frameworks, processes, organizational agreements, and/or trainings to improve the reliability and validity of State E&T data.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $6,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
- Award Floor: $300,000
Eligibility Criteria
- State or local agencies without the internal capacity may choose to partner with an external entity (such as a research university or organizations with subject matter expertise) to develop systems, policies, and culture to make data-driven decisions to address systemic racism and inequities in SNAP E&T programs and develop, maintain, and use necessary data systems as outlined in proposals. State or local agencies may also choose to partner with an external entity to assist with developing systems, processes, or training that will improve data validity and reliability. If an agency chooses to partner with another entity, the following must be considered in the development of the partnership model:
- The entity must have authentic and demonstrated experience assisting or leading projects related to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting sensitive disaggregated demographic data; entity must be able to demonstrate their concern and understanding of the personal safety related to collecting data from historically underserved populations and those who may feel unsafe sharing data related to race, ethnicity, disability status, gender, etc.
- If the entity will be assisting in the collection, reporting, analysis and use of disaggregated demographic data the entity must have a demonstrated capacity to assist in the collection, reporting, analysis and use of disaggregated demographic data; and
- If the entity will be assisting in the collection, reporting, analysis and use of data the entity must be able to ensure that the data collected will be stored, accessed, and used in accordance with local, State, and Federal confidentiality and personally identifiable information (PII) protective provisions.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=341411