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Appendix A. SPR Dataset-Level Documentation 

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) administers formula grants to states/territories under 

Title III of the Older Americans Act (OAA). These grants fund nutrition and supportive services to elders 

and informal caregivers. Each year, all OAA Title III grantees submit an annual State Performance Report 

(SPR) for their grant program to ACL. The SPR includes data about provider organizations and staffing, 

expenditures, services, and persons served. These data comprise the SPR dataset, one of many 

administrative and survey data collections on aging and disability programs overseen and managed by 

ACL. 

The purpose of this appendix is to provide SPR dataset-level documentation as a resource and reference 

during the development of the data structure that connects ACL datasets and the future platform 

through which end users will access ACL data. The SPR dataset-level documentation includes an 

overview of the SPR data collection and methodology, changes to the data collection over time, 

information management systems, data review and processing, key variables, and additional notes and 

resources. Additionally, SPR variable-level documentation is provided in the Excel Workbook entitled

ACL DR II – Variable Level Documentation.xlsx, which includes information on all variables from all 

datasets considered in the ACL DR II project.

Overview of SPR Data Collection and Methodology 

The purpose of the SPR data collection is to help track and evaluate program performance. These data 

are used, in part, to measure program outputs (e.g., total number of home-delivered meals served) and 

assess performance on annual outcome and efficiency measures.

The SPR to be used for federal fiscal year 2022 consists of 1,766 items1and is organized into six major 

sections: Aging Network Profile, Older Adults, Caregivers of Older Adults, Older Relative Caregivers, 

Expenditures Overview, and Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) Qualified Meals. Table 1 below 

provides further details on each section.

Table 1: Data Collected Under SPR 

Section of SPR Number of Items Type(s) of Data Collected

Aging Network Profile2 52 Numeric, Text

Older Adults 1,399 Numeric, Text

Caregivers of Older Adults 157 Numeric

Older Relative Caregivers 147 Numeric

Expenditures Overview3 7 Numeric

NSIP Qualified Meals 4 Numeric

The SPR is an annual administrative data collection. All grantees are required to submit data covering an 

annual reporting period of October 1 to September 30. OAA Title III grantees have until January 31 of 

1 This is the minimum number of items, including optional items. A grantee may add other services information in 

the Older Adults section, Caregivers of Older Adults section, and Older Relative Caregivers section. 

2

Section includes one optional item for text response on other federal funds.

3 The total number of items in this section (N=7) includes only items for Title VII expenditures. Items for Title III 

service expenditures are counted in the Older Adults, Caregivers of Older Adults, and Older Relative Caregivers 

sections. 
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the following calendar year to prepare and submit the data to ACL. Then, ACL staff conduct reviews, 

request any corrections, and typically certify the complete grantee SPR by March 31.

Additional resources that provide detailed explanation of the SPR are listed and described in Table 2

below. Older Americans Act Performance System (OAAPS) files can be downloaded from the following 

website: https://oaaps.acl.gov/app/Resources/refMaterials. File names and versions may change.

Table 2: Additional Resources – SPR 

File Name Description Location

State_Program_Performance_Report_OMB_0

985-0008-Version2.2.docx

Summarizes the reporting requirements 

for the SPR as approved by the U.S. Office 

of Management and Budget, Control 

Number 0985-0008 (document provided 

in lieu of an actual SPR form, which is no 

longer produced)

OAAPS

State_Program_Performance_Report_Appendi

x_A_Definitions-Version_1.2.docx

Provides explanations and some 

examples for reporting terms in the SPR

OAAPS

Major Changes in SPR Data Collection and Availability, 2010–2020 

Annual SPR data are available for public access from the AGing, Independence, and Disability (AGID) 

Program Data Portal (https://agid.acl.gov/) for the years 2005 to 2019.4The SPR data collection form 

was essentially the same during this time period but will transition from the so-called legacy SPR to a 

new form, the current SPR, as of the 2022 data release. Beginning with the reporting period of October 

1, 2021, to September 31, 2022, all grantees will record OAA Title III service information using the 

current SPR form. ACL data restructuring efforts will use the SPR data formatted according to the 

current SPR.

Additional resources that provide detailed explanation of the legacy to current SPR revisions are listed 

and described in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Additional SPR Resources – Legacy to Current SPR Revisions 

File Name Description Location

ACL_Title_III_OAAPS_CrosswalkVersion_3.2.xlsxCrosswalk of OAA Title III legacy SPR to 

current SPR

OAAPS

Annotated_State_Program_Report-SPRVersion_2.1.xlsxLists and annotates the legacy SPR 

variables to show differences compared 

to the current SPR (i.e., new, same, 

changed, removed, or system generated 

variables)

OAAPS

4 The ACL DR II project will be conducted from September 25, 2019, to September 24, 2021. The project 

incorporates SPR data for 2010 to 2018; 2019 data were released on February 12, 2021; 2020 data will be available 

in summer 2021.
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File Name Description Location

ACL DR II – Crosswalk Review.xlsx Review and comment on crosswalk and 

revisions from legacy Program 

Performance Report (PPR) to current 

PPR for OAA Title III, VI, and VII

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

Note: OAAPS files can be downloaded from the following website: 

https://oaaps.acl.gov/app/Resources/refMaterials. File names and versions may change.

Description of SPR Data Submission, Information Management System, and Final 

Datafiles 

Historically, grantees have submitted SPR data to ACL using the web-based State Reporting Tool. As the 

SPR shifts from the legacy to the current version, the information management system for SPR data is 

also changing. The replacement system, called the OAAPS, is the new data submission portal for OAA 

Title III, Title VI, and Title VII grantees to report annual performance data. Additionally, OAAPS offers a 

range of tools and features that support data processes, including validating data submissions, checking 

and explaining year-to-year variances, reviewing and approving data submissions, exporting data, and 

producing analysis reports.

Although the current SPR for OAA Title III goes into effect for the reporting period from October 1, 2021,

to September 30, 2022, the OAAPS system is open to users from December 2019 to September 2021 for 

an exploratory phase. Users are encouraged to activate their accounts, explore the system and features, 

access downloadable materials, and provide feedback to the OAAPS development team to improve the 

system before it launches. Once the system is officially released, grantees will be able to manually enter 

their SPR data directly into OAAPS or upload their SPR using datafiles that match the prescribed OAAPS 

templates in a valid file format (CSV, XLSX, or XML). 

All legacy SPR data for OAA Title III since 2009 have been formatted according to the current SPR and 

loaded into OAAPS. Single-year and multiyear SPR datafiles can be exported from OAAPS into Microsoft 

Excel. These OAAPS formatted datafiles contain 11 variables. Each variable is listed and described in 

Table 4 below, which also includes an indication of which variables can be used together to uniquely 

identify records or serve as keys for relating SPR data with other datasets. 

Table 4: SPR Datafile Variable List 

Variable Name Unique ID/Key Description

Year5Yes Fiscal year of the SPR, used to determine the time period 

represented in the variable

GeoID6Yes Geographic identifier, used to determine the geographic 

area represented in the variable (Grantee Entity, State, 

Census Division, ACL Region, Census Region, or National)

Component No Short title for section of the SPR containing the variable

5 This variable is named FiscalYear in the original OAAPS datafile. It is renamed to Year for consistency with other 

datasets included in the ACL DR II project, since Year is a key for cross-dataset analysis.

6 Not available from OAAPS formatted datafiles. Constructed in the ACL DR II project to test technical and 

conceptual linkages within and across datasets. Based on GeoID variable in constructed files uploaded to AGID. 

Replaces the Org variable produced by OAAPS.
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Variable Name Unique ID/Key Description

ACLRefNumber Yes Combination letter and numeric code to uniquely identify

the SPR item corresponding to the variable

SectionName No Long title for section of the SPR containing the variable

Field No Short title for variable

FieldLabel No Long title for variable

Type No Format type for variable (numeric, currency, or text)

NumericValue No Value of variable, if numeric formatted

CurrencyValue No Value of variable, if currency formatted

NonNumericValue No Value of variable, if text formatted

Additional resources that provide detailed explanation of OAAPS, including tools, features, and OAAPS 

formatted SPR data, are listed and described in Table 5 below.

Table 5: Additional SPR Resources – OAAPS 

File Name Description Location

ACL_Title_III_Data_Dictionary-Version_1.2.xlsx Provides comprehensive information 

on all SPR variables, including 

formatting, business, and variance 

rules 

OAAPS

State_Performance_Report_SPR_Export_Format_

with_ACLRef_Version_2.1.xlsx

Explains layout of OAAPS formatted, 

export file of SPR data

OAAPS

ACL_Title_III_SPR_Upload_GuideVersion_3.2.docxExplains how to use an approved 

upload template to submit SPR data in 

OAAPS

OAAPS

Title III and Title VII (Ch. 3 and 4) SPR User 

Guide.pdf

Provides comprehensive information 

and instructions on OAAPS system, 

including user management, data 

reporting and submission, data 

review, and analysis reports

OAAPS

Note: OAAPS files can be downloaded from the following website: 

https://oaaps.acl.gov/app/Resources/refMaterials. File names and versions may change.

Feasibility and Validity of Merging SPR Data 

SPR data can be validly merged within each year, across years, and across some datasets.

Feasibility of Merging SPR Data Within Each Year 

OAAPS formatting provides all SPR data within a single datafile. The data are not organized into separate 

datafiles that would require merging within each year. 

Feasibility of Merging SPR Data Across Years 

OAAPS formatting allows for all years of SPR data to be appended together. Single-year and multiyear 

datafiles can be downloaded from OAAPS into Microsoft Excel. The constructed GeoID variable includes 

all states/territories and can be used with the Year variable to validly link grantee data over time. 
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Feasibility of Merging SPR Data Across Datasets 

The SPR dataset can technically link7 with other datasets at the state/territory geographic level. It is also 

valid to aggregate the data to technically link with other ACL and U.S. Census Bureau datasets at the 

following geographic levels: Census Division, ACL Region, Census Region, and National. 

Additionally, the SPR dataset includes information that can be conceptually linked8 with Title VI, NORS, 

NSOAAP, ACS PUMS, CIL, and ILS data. For more detailed information on available conceptual linkages, 

please see the resources listed and described in Table 6 below.

Table 6: Additional Resources – SPR Conceptual Linkages 

File Name Description Location

ACL DR II – Aligning Measures 

Spreadsheets.xlsx

The SPR-Title VI worksheet lists and 

describes conceptual linkages between 

SPR and Title VI.

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

Title_VI_PPR_to_SPR_Crosswalk.xlsx This worksheet presents a side-by-side 

comparison of all OAA SPR and Title VI 

PPR variable and definitions.

OAAPS

ACL DR II – Aligning Measures 

Spreadsheets.xlsx

The SPR-NORS worksheet lists and 

describes conceptual linkages between 

SPR and NORS.

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

ACL DR II – Aligning Measures 

Spreadsheets.xlsx

The SPR-NSOAAP worksheet lists and 

describes conceptual linkages between 

SPR and NSOAAP.

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

ACL DR II – Aligning Measures 

Spreadsheets.xlsx

The SPR-ACS PUMS worksheet lists and 

describes conceptual linkages between 

SPR and ACS PUMS.

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

ACL DR II – Aligning Measures 

Spreadsheets.xlsx

The SPR-CIL worksheet lists and 

describes conceptual linkages between 

SPR and CIL.

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

ACL DR II – Aligning Measures 

Spreadsheets.xlsx

The SPR-ILS worksheet lists and 

describes conceptual linkages between 

SPR and ILS.

ACL DR II 

Project 

Files

Note: OAAPS files can be downloaded from the following website: 

https://oaaps.acl.gov/app/Resources/refMaterials. File names and versions may change.

Schema for SPR Dataset

The SPR schema in Error! Reference source not found. 7 below shows the datafile structure for SPR 

datafiles exported from OAAPS. The SPR schema shows the available variables for SPR. Key variables are 

bolded to signify that they are used to technically link SPR data to other datasets (i.e., on the basis of 

7 Technical linkages exist between data that match across datasets on the basis of time and geography. A data user 

might be interested, for example, in using technical linkages to produce a report about all OAA programs and 

services in their state using the most recently available year of data.

8 Conceptual linkages exist between data that match on the basis of time and geography but also on the basis of 

subject area and measurement (e.g., variable definition, variable category, method of data collection). A data user 

might be interested, for example, in using conceptual linkages between common variables in SPR and Title VI to 

examine services utilization (e.g., unduplicated number of persons served, total number of meals).
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geography, using 1.1 GeoID, and of time, using 1.2 Year). For convenience, the variables needed for 

technical linkages are listed first in the SPR schema, followed by other variables found in the dataset. 

Each dataset and each variable included in the ACL DR II project is assigned a number. The purpose of 

numbering each dataset and variable is to help to account for all the datasets and variables to be 

included in the database for cross-dataset analysis. The order and the magnitude of the numbering does 

not have any meaning. The numbering is used only to track all datasets and variables and can easily 

scale to include additional datasets and variables that may be added in the future. Table 6 above 

provides a description of each SPR variable. 

Table 7 presents conceptual linkages between SPR and other datasets that match on the basis of 

geography and time as well as on the basis of subject area and measurement. Broad subject areas are 

listed in the Topic column, while datasets in which these conceptual linkages can be made with SPR are 

listed in the Dataset(s) column. Specific subtopics in SPR that conceptually link with other datasets are 

shown as bulleted lists under each main topic, when available. These subtopics provide an additional 

level of detail not shown in Exhibit 3: Overall Schema of the ACL DR II project final report entitled ACL DR 

II - Final Report 9-20-2021.docx.

Table 7 is designed to provide a quick view of the conceptual linkages between SPR and other datasets. 

For detailed information on conceptual linkages between SPR and other datasets, refer to the resources 

listed in Table 6: Additional Resources – SPR Conceptual LinkagesTable. 

Table 7: SPR Schema 

Topic Dataset(s)

Staffing Title VI

Total Expenditures NORS

Nutrition Services Persons Served

- Congregate Meals

- Home-Delivered Meals

- Nutrition Counseling

Title VI, NSOAAP

Title VI, NSOAAP

Title VI

Supportive Services Persons Served

- Total Served

- Case Management

- Personal Care

- Homemaker

- Chore

- Transportation

Title VI

Title VI, NSOAAP

Title VI

Title VI, NSOAAP

Title VI

NSOAAP

Caregiver Services Persons Served

- Total Served

- Counseling

- Caregiver Training

- Respite Care

- Supplemental Services

Title VI, NSOAAP

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

1.0 SPR

1.1 GeoID

1.2 Year

1.3 Component

1.4 ACLRefNumber

1.5 SectionName

1.6 Field

1.7 FieldLabel

1.8 Type

1.9 NumericValue

1.10 CurrencyValue

1.11 NonNumericValue
2

Topic Dataset(s)

Nutrition Services Units

- Congregate Meals

- Home-Delivered Meals

- Nutrition Education

- Nutrition Counseling

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Topic Dataset(s)

Supportive Services Units

- Case Management

- Personal Care

- Homemaker

- Chore

- Information/Assistance

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Caregiver Services Units

- Counseling

- Support Groups

- Caregiver Training

- Information Services

- Supplemental Services 

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Title VI

Demographics

- Gender

- Urban/Rural

- Income – Poverty

- Race/Ethnicity

- Age

NSOAAP, ACS PUMS, CIL, ILS

NSOAAP

ACS PUMS

NSOAAP, ACS PUMS, CIL, ILS

NSOAAP, ACS PUMS, CIL, ILS

Living Alone ACS PUMS, NSOAAP

Total Clients Served CIL, ILS

Functional Limitations

- Instrumental Activities of 

Daily Living (IADL)

- Activities of Daily Living 

(ADL)

NSOAAP

NSOAAP

Additional Notes, Considerations, and Key Resources for SPR 

For further information on the OAA Title III grant program and SPR data, refer to these resources:

• Older Americans Act: https://acl.gov/about-acl/authorizing-statutes/older-americans-act

• Performance of Older Americans Act Programs: https://acl.gov/programs/performance-olderamericans-act-programs

• AGing, Independence, and Disability (AGID) Program Data Portal: https://agid.acl.gov/