During a recent Senate Committee on Border Security meeting, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) showcased its ability to provide precise data on individuals within its system, highlighting a stark contrast with the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) department's challenges in tracking program participation.

Ron Steffa, the Chief Financial Officer for TDCJ, confirmed that the department can accurately account for individuals in its criminal justice system, stating, "Yes, sir. We can tell you to the person, to the individual." This capability stems from TDCJ's unique position of having a "captive audience," allowing for detailed tracking and reporting.

In contrast, the HHSC faces difficulties in obtaining similar data due to the varied eligibility criteria for its programs. The committee acknowledged that the nature of health and human services is more complex, making it harder to gather accurate information on program participants.

This discussion underscores the ongoing challenges in Texas's health and human services sector, particularly in effectively monitoring and reporting on program engagement. As the committee continues to explore these issues, the need for improved data collection methods in health services remains a critical focus.