Resource Policy

Increasing Data Analytics Capacity in State TANF Agencies: The TANF Data Collaborative Approach

Government agencies at all levels collect administrative data in the course of their day-to-day operations. While such information has been used to determine effectiveness through program evaluations for many years, program administrators view it increasingly as a valuable resource that can also be used to improve program performance. For example, administrative data from employment and…

Organization: MDRC
Published Year: 2022

The document describes the TANF Data Innovation (TDI) project, which aimed to strengthen data analytics capacity in state TANF agencies through training, technical assistance, and infrastructure improvements.

It highlights the creation of the TANF Data Collaborative (TDC) framework, a five-phase approach to data analytics, and a pilot initiative supporting eight state agencies, resulting in improved staff skills, better data practices, and a sustainable model for public sector data analytics.