Understanding Assurance 16 – LIHEAP Ryan Arick Community Programs Intern

1. Understanding Assurance 16 – LIHEAPRyan ArickCommunity Programs Intern

2. What is Assurance 16? According to the LIHEAP federal statute: The State agrees to: • (A16) use up to 5 percent of such funds, at its option, to provide services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance, including needs assessments, counseling, and assistance with energy vendors; • and report to the Secretary concerning the impact of such activities on the number of households served, the level of direct benefits provided to those households, and the number of households that remain unserved.

3. What does it mean? The Statute allows for Local Service Providers to provide services to clients to accomplish: • Encourage households to reduce their home energy needs • Reduce the need for future energy assistance • Provide programs and tools for clients Goals are to reduce crisis applications, lessen energy burden, and to lower home energy costs.

4. A16 Activities Energy Education • Training Sessions (in person, online, mail, phone). • Designing marketing materials about reducing energy consumption • Energy Education Kits • Energy Conservation informational sessions • Energy Counseling Family Development • Financial Counseling • Needs Assessment and Referrals • Case Management • Vendor Advocacy

5. Budgetary and Financial Aspects The Statute states that LSPs can use up to five (5) percent of available funds to accomplish these objectives. The funds do not need to be evenly spent across all categories, and they can be divided up evenly among the different programs. For example: • 2% can be used on Energy Education services • 1% can be used on Referral Services • 2% can be used on Family Development But no more than five (5) percent may be spent.

6. Things Assurance 16 Does NOT Cover Assurance 16 does NOT cover a variety of expenses, including: • Office supplies, equipment, etc. • General Outreach (creating outreach materials/activities to reach potential clients) • Client Intake for EAP • Crisis Determination • EAP Benefit Determination / Income Calculation

7. A16 Outreach and Recruitment How can LSPs conduct outreach and recruitment with A16 funds? Outreach via letter, email, or telephone call regarding A16 activities Posters about A16 activities at all application sites Flyers about A16 at all application sites However, the outreach must specifically pertain to energy education/family development/other A16 activities. A16 funds cannot be used to recruit new EAP applicants.

8. Target Groups High Energy Burden Households At Risk Populations Crisis Recipients

9. A16 Documentation IHCDA must report the impact of Assurance 16 Activities to HHS, including: Number of EAP Clients Serviced • This is included in the State Plan (referenced on the Data Analysis presentation), which is reported to HHS Level of direct benefits provided to these households Each LSP will have different A16 courses of action, as different areas may have varying needs. This can include different activities.

10. To document a16 LSPs must document the following: Date which the activity occurred What the activity was and what it included Number of EAP Clients in Attendance Examples (Optional): Staff time spent on activities Number of households who participate Results for participation • Pre/Post Energy Education Test, not needing crisis assistance • Reduction in utility costs and energy consumption Reporting attendance for activities In RIAA, document A16 activities with the application actions. This is how we kept track of A16 activities in previous years.

11. Assurance 16 Policy Changes for PY2019 IHCDA has not implemented any programmatic / fiscal Assurance 16 changes for the upcoming program year. However, previous changes include: Charging a flat $25 per client when conducting A16 activities or recording staff time spent on the activity and recording. Caseworkers whose time sheets include activities: chart A16 Put these activities into the A16 plan, and they can be charged to A16 • Case Management • Financial Counseling • Designing A16 promotional materials

12. Cost Allocation How should LSPs allocate cost? Case worker whose time sheet includes activities: chart A16 under the proper item Put these activities into the A16 plan, and they’ll be charged to the account

13. Future appropriateness of changes Why does IHCDA track A16 Expenditures? Staff and other cost allocations Tracking A16 Expenditures Budgetary and statutory requirements Savings and cost effectiveness Impact on Households

14. Local examples REAL Services: Family budgeting Career planning, job applications, and resume writing Financial education Brightpoint: Caseworker dealing with Family Self Sufficiency / EAP Provides referrals, follow ups, and support services Area IV: Families and children’s programs to achieve self-sufficiency Financial counseling, money management services

15. Resources ACF Grantee Resource Guide LIHEAP Virtual Library LIHEAP Clearinghouse LIHEAP Clearinghouse A16 Site LIHEAP Clearinghouse Data Warehouse ACF Training Resources IHCDA LIHEAP Resources

16. Questions?