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S N A P M A N U A L

282 Chapter 27 Data Analysis and Evaluation 2 7 . 1 D A T A M A N A G E M E N T (1) Analysis Analysis is the process of classifying data, such as by areas of program requirements or use of error- prone profiles, to provide a basis for studying the data and determining trends including significant characteristics and their relationships. (2) Evaluation Evaluation is the process of determining the cause(s) of each deficiency, magnitude of the deficiency, and geographic extent of the deficiency, to provide the basis for planning and developing effective corrective action. The Office of Economic Services must analyze and evaluate at the State and local SNAP office levels all management information sources available to: (A) Identify all deficiencies in program operations and systems; (B) Identify causal factors and their relationships; (C) Identify magnitude of each deficiency, where appropriate (This is the frequency of each deficiency occurring based on the number of program records reviewed and where applicable, the amount of loss either to the program or participants or potential participants in terms of dollars. The Agency will include an estimate of the number of participants or potential participants affected by the existence of the deficiency, if applicable); (D) Determine the geographic extent of each deficiency (e.g., Statewide/local SNAP offices); and, (E) Provide a basis for management decisions on planning, implementing, and evaluating corrective action. In the evaluation of data, situations may arise where the Office of Economic Services identifies the existence of a deficiency, but after reviewing all available management information sources sufficient information is not available to make a determination of the actual causal factor(s), magnitude, or geographic extent necessary for the development of appropriate corrective action. In Chapter 27