Texas

Leading Example

15. Evidence-Based Grantmaking

The state has improved outcomes by allocating grant funding based on evidence of effectiveness.

15. Evidence-Based Grantmaking

Since 2020, the State of Texas has administered eight grant programs that define and prioritize evidence of effectiveness.

The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in its Nurse-Family Partnership program to develop and expand evidence-based nurse home visiting programs, the Community Youth Development program, the Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) program, and the Texas Service Members, Veterans and Families program.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in its Adult Mental Health Recovery-Based Outreach Services in Peer-Focused Environments and Veterans and Family Alliance Grant Program programs.

The Texas Workforce Commission defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in its Texas Talent Connection and Building and Construction Trades programs.

The One Star Foundation (a nonprofit that administers state Americorps funding), through the Texas State Service Commission, defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness through its AmeriCorps programs.

Additional information on the use of evidence of effectiveness in these programs is available on the Honor Roll of State Grant Programs that Define and Prioritize Evidence of Effectiveness.

Promising Examples

6. Data Policies

The state has data policies that outline the principles, people, and activities that govern its data collection and use.

6. Data Policies

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) administers the Texas Student Data System, a statewide platform for collecting, managing, sharing, and reporting state education data. The system has a data standards and data governance process. Additionally, the Workforce Information System of Texas (TWIST) links data across workforce funding streams for intake, eligibility determination, and reporting on programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Employment and Training, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plan. Both these data platforms are used to assess grantee performance, identify common issues that could benefit from collaborative approaches, and understand residents’ needs. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Texas Higher Education Commission and Board (THECB), and Texas Education Agency (TEA) signed a single comprehensive MOU for data sharing between the three agencies in July of 2022.

7. Data Infrastructure

The state has improved outcomes through technology infrastructure that allows it to efficiently collect, inventory, and share data.

7. Data Infrastructure

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) administers the Texas Student Data System, a statewide platform for collecting, managing, sharing, and reporting state education data. The Workforce Information System of Texas (TWIST) links data across workforce funding streams for intake, eligibility determination, and reporting on programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Employment and Training, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Data from both systems can be queried to produce internal reports. Each agency maintains its participant data in independent, non-linked data systems. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Texas Higher Education Commission and Board (THECB), and Texas Education Agency (TEA) signed a single comprehensive MOU for data sharing between the three agencies in July of 2022.

10. Evaluation Policies

The state has evaluation policies and a learning agenda that outline the principles, people, and activities to use evidence to improve results.

10. Evaluation Policies

In 2020, the Texas Workforce Commission, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Texas Workforce Investment Council, and Rural Capital Area Workforce Board, collaborated to develop an evidence framework to better measure the impact of publicly funded workforce development programs and is applied to the grantmaking process.

16. Repurpose for Results

The state has improved outcomes by moving funds away from programs that are ineffective and toward those that get results.

16. Repurpose for Results

To support performance improvement, since 2021, Texas Workforce Commission grant managers for the Building Construction Trades grant conduct quarterly meetings where the grantees can share barriers and issues and discuss possible solutions that may have been implemented by other grantees. An example of one such meeting can be viewed here.

The Texas Workforce Commission reviews its grantee performance monthly or quarterly. Per deobligation policy in state statute, the Commission has authority to terminate contracts for poor performing grantees. Funds deobligated from grantees are typically first available to transfer to other grantees within the program, before they are pulled back to agency wide reserves. It states:

“[Texas Workforce Commission] may deobligate funds if performance and/or expenditures are not meeting a detailed program plan and implementation schedule; and/or expenditure projections at the following intervals: twenty-five percent (25%) of the grant period; fifty percent (50%) of the grant period; and, seventy-five percent (75%) of the grant period.”

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Texas

Leading Example

15. Evidence-Based Grantmaking

Promising Examples

6. Data Policies

7. Data Infrastructure

10. Evaluation Policies

16. Repurpose for Results

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