Results in Brief

The Nevada State Welfare Division (NSWD) currently maintains information on former clients on various computer systems. However, computer information is not linked or cross-matched to allow for the effective assessment of client progress toward self-sufficiency. In addition, information on former clients which is available from other state agencies, county assistance programs, and Welfare Division con-tractors is not fully utilized. As a result, the Division does not have information readily available to determine the extent to which employment and training programs help welfare clients become self-sufficient. The Welfare Division is currently developing plans to survey and track former clients of its New Employees of Nevada (NEON) training and employment program.

Both the Federal Government and Nevada have established time limits on how long clients can remain on welfare. Given these limits and with large numbers of recipients obtaining work and leaving welfare assistance, it is important the NSWD develop an effective system to track former recipients’ progress at becoming self-sufficient.

Principal Finding

·
Electronic information on recipients is maintained on various computer systems but is not generally cross-matched in a manner to effectively track former clients. The Division has the capability to make comparisons between various computer systems, but only utilizes employment wage data. (page 15)

· The Division is in the process of consolidating information from the current five computer systems to two systems. Consolidating computer systems provides the Division with the opportunity to improve links between systems and to crossmatch data. (page 15)

· Information on former clients is available from additional sources such as agency contractors and county assistance programs. These organizations have information on former NEON clients that could be useful in monitoring progress toward self-sufficiency. (page 16)

· The Division has contracted with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), to survey former welfare recipients. UNR will randomly select clients and survey them at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24-month intervals after they leave welfare assistance. UNR has also developed a computer database to compile survey data and make comparisons with data on the Division’s computer systems. Although computer and survey data have limitations, when effectively used together they could provide the State with useful information on former clients. (page 17)

Department of Human Resources

Welfare Division

Agency Response

to Audit Recommendations

Recommendation Number		Accepted	Rejected
1	Ensure that planned computer systems, computer interfaces and survey data gather client information in such a manner to allow for the timely, accurate, and effective measurement of client progress toward self-sufficiently	X
2	Access the feasibility of obtaining information in electronic format on former clients from job retention contractors, child care contractors, and other sources	X
TOTALS		2	0

Results in Brief

Department of Human Resources

Number

Accepted

Rejected