Feasibility and Accuracy of Record Linkage To Estimate Multiple Program Participation: Volume I, Record Linkage Issues and Results of the Survey of Food Assistance Information Systems
By Nancy Cole. ERS project representative: Parke Wilde
E-FAN No. (03-008-1) 78 pp,
June 2003
Administrative data from USDA's food assistance and nutrition programs (FANPs) provide statistics on the number and characteristics of program participants. However, policymakers and researchers often want more information than these administrative data provide about participation in multiple programs or the characteristics of families who choose to participate in some, but not all, programs for which they are eligible. This study investigates the feasibility of linking administrative data across FANPs to provide statistics on multiple-program participation. This report presents the results of the first phase of the study. The results are based on the Survey of Food Assistance Information Systems, taken in 26 States from directors of the Food Stamp Program (FSP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Child Nutrition Programs. The survey collected information about the characteristics and content of FANP information systems. Findings indicate that FSP and WIC statewide information systems vary significantly in the number and types of client identifiers, extent of data verification, and rules for data retention and overwriting. The survey also found that participant data from the child nutrition programs are currently unavailable at the State-level except from a handful of States.
Keywords: food assistance programs, program integrity, program, program caseloads, Food Stamp Program, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, WIC, ERS, USDA
In this report ... Chapters are
in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
- Abstract, Contents, 214 kb
- Chapter 1: Introduction, 417 kb
- Chapter 2: Administrative Data and Record Linkage Issues, 135 kb
- Chapter 3: Characteristics of FSP and WIC Data Systems, 209 kb
- Chapter 4: Record Linkage Activities and Research Uses of FSP and WIC Data, 158 kb
- Chapter 5: Child Nutrition Programs, 381 kb
- Chapter 6: Conclusions, 98 kb
- Appendix A: Detailed Tables, 88 kb
- Entire Document, 3,221 kb
Updated date: June 23, 2003
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