Developing State Automated Information Systems To Support Federal Assistance Programs

Federal assistance to State and local governments is provided through about 1,000 programs administered by over 50 Federal departments and agencies. Many of these programs are so large and complex that States must use computerized systems to support them. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-90 provides guidance to Federal agencies for cooperating with and assisting State and local governments in the coordinated development and operation of information systems.

The Departments of Agriculture; Labor; Transportation; and Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) have not been effective generally in helping States to develop automated information systems to support Federal assistance programs although the Department of Labor has done more than the other departments. Agencies in these departments have not been involved in the design, development, or installation of State systems for most of the programs reviewed. Even when agencies did attempt to provide guidance and assistance, their actions were not timely. There was little evidence of coordination between Federal agencies and the States in planning, developing, or operating information systems. Instead, data processing and technical resources at the four departments have been devoted primarily to internal automated systems development.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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