The LIHEAP Performance Measures Implementation Work Group (PMIWG) began in 2010 to help state grantees develop and implement methods for recording, collecting, and tracking data associated with meeting LIHEAP's new performance measures. Collecting data provides a means to manage programs effectively and efficiently in order to fulfil the LIHEAP statute’s requirement that the highest level of assistance should go to households with the lowest incomes and highest energy burdens.
The Work Group helped create a Performance Management website to provide LIHEAP grantees a tool that turns data into information that can be used to improve the management of their programs each year and inform budget and programmatic decisions. The website was also designed to have information that would be useful for other stakeholders outside of LIHEAP grantees, including Congressional members and staff; state and local legislators; utilities and utility regulators; consumer advocates and sub-grantees; and academic researchers, the media, and the general public.
These stakeholders have access to information that includes the LIHEAP Performance Data Form, LIHEAP Household Report, and federal Home Energy Notebook. These records are regularly available through the annual LIHEAP Reports to Congress, but the Performance Management Website allows direct access to the data to generate analytical tools such as bar graphs, pie charts, maps, and so on. To read more about the website, please see this “Dear Colleague” letter from the Administration for Children and Families.
On the Performance Management website, LIHEAP grantees can get reports and analyze data, in addition to accessing webinars, presentations, and training tools that provide information on collecting and reporting performance measures data. An online discussion forum is also available on the website, as well as various communications from the PMIWG.
