16 Performance Goals and Measures, 2605(b)

16.1 Describe your progress toward meeting the data collection and reporting requirements of the four required LIHEAP (Benefit Targeting Index, Burden Reduction Targeting Index, Restoration of Home Energy Service, and Prevention of Loss of Home Energy Service). Include timeframes and plans for meeting these requirements and what you believe will be accomplished in the coming federal fiscal year. Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) created a semi-automated system in 2015 to gather energy data and generate performance measures reports. The system takes the following steps each FY: 1. A database is populated with data from LIHEAP-eligible households whose heating and electricity providers are known to DHS. 2.Files are generated from this database and securely sent to all providers who participate in performance measures data collection. The file contains identifying information for each household served by the provider. 3.The provider enters the annual energy costs for each household in the file, when available, and returns it securely to DHS. 4.The database is populated with the annual energy data returned by the providers. 5.Using this data, the system generates the Energy Burden Targeting Report. 6.Using data stored in the eligibility system, the system also generates the two additional reports: Restoration of Home Energy Service and Prevention of Loss of Home Energy Service. DHS has been successful in working with large utilities and energy providers to improve the process of collecting energy data. These organizations have the staff and technical expertise to expedite the collection and transmittal of data to DHS. The top 6 electric providers and the top 6 natural gas providers currently participate in the performance measures process. The top 12 fuel oil and top 11 propane providers also participate. Data collection remains a challenge for smaller providers, especially wood and coal providers. These small businesses often do not have the capability to provide the necessary data or are unable to follow technical instructions to receive and transmit the data securely. DHS is not currently attempting to add additional wood or coal providers to the process, since only a small percentage of Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP recipients use these fuel types. DHS will, however, attempt to maintain the participation of the 5 providers who are already involved. Report generation is entirely automated. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.