U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Announced Restructuring Agencies & Cuts to Federal Workforce

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a "dramatic restructuring" and substantial cuts to the federal workforce within the department and its agencies. Among the announcement are plans to reorganize the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and integrate ACL programs and services through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Generations United is working to learn more about the implications for children, youth, and older adults. We need to hear from you! Tell us how HHS restructuring and cuts may impact programs and services on the ground- reach out at gu@gu.org.

Threats to Supports for Children, Families, and Older Adults Continue

House members are circulating a list of cuts being considered across a broad range of programs. This "menu" of cuts includes significant cuts to key programs that people of all ages rely on. This, coupled with the Trump Administration actions, sends a clear signal that a wide range of critical benefits, services, and supports for children, families, caregivers, and older adults are at risk. 

Take Action! Contact Your Members of Congress & Raise Awareness on a Local Level

The Administration and Congress have made clear their intentions to cut funding for vital services that support children, youth, caregivers, and older adults, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance, Medicaid, Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and more. Cuts to key federal programs will shift significant cost burden onto state and local governments and likely result in reduced support for community programs.

It’s important that your Members of Congress and state and local elected officials hear from you about how key supports and services are critical to your family and others in your community.   

Sample Messages for Your Advocacy

“I am calling because I am a grandparent raising my grandchild and I am concerned about how cuts to [TANF, Medicaid] would affect families like mine. I urge [Senator/Rep X] to protect these critical supports for kinship families.” 

“I am calling because I run [program name], a program that helps children and older adults in my community, and I am concerned about how cuts to [Medicaid, TANF, SNAP] programs would harm them. I urge [Senator/Rep X] to protect these critical supports for your constituents.” 

Social Services Block Grant Sign-On Opportunity

The SSBG Coalition is circulating a sign on letter to urge Congressional leadership to protect the Social Services Block Grant. SSBG is a critical funding source for state and local social services – including child welfare services, adult protective services, older adults meal programs, family resource centers, and more. SSBG and its flexibility helps state and local governments address gaps or shortfalls in many program areas and helps communities better serve their families.

Fill out this form to encourage Congressional leadership to reject any budget proposals that reduce funding to this critical source of support for children, individuals, and communities. This sign-on is currently open to national, state and local organizations. The deadline is 12pm on Monday, March 31, 2025. Please reach out to Kati Mapa (kmapa@cwla.org) with any questions.

Continuing Resolution Passed for FY 2025

On March 14th, the Senate approved the House continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through the end of FY 2025 (September 30, 2025).

• The CR keeps many allocations level to FY 2024.
• Administration for Children and Families FY 2025 funding level maintains $10 million to support Kinship Navigator Programs

Senate Aging Hearing on Opioid Epidemic, featuring GRAND Voice Elizabeth Mateer

On Februrary 26th, GRAND Voice Elizabeth Mateer from Pennsylvania testified at a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on the impact of the opioid epidemic. Ms. Mateer powerfully highlighted the vital role kinship caregivers play in creating stable, permanent families and called for greater support for these families.

Watch the hearing here: Combatting the Opioid Epidemic.

Take action! Advocate for opioid settlement funds to reach grandfamilies and kinship familiesin your state.

GRAND Voice Joins Panel to Discuss Medicaid’s Role in Supporting Families in Crisis 

Generations United GRAND Voice Beth Patton recently joined a panel for the webinar How Medicaid Supports Parents in Crisis, hosted by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, Children’s Trust Fund Alliance, FosterClub, and Generations United. Ms. Patton specifically highlighted how Medicaid has helped her grandchildren receive the mental health support they need.

View a recording of the webinar and supporting materials here. 

About Generations United: For over three decades, Generations United has been the catalyst for policies and practices stimulating cooperation and collaboration among generations, evoking the vibrancy, energy, and sheer productivity that result when people of all ages come together. We believe that we can only be successful in the face of our complex future if generational diversity is regarded as a national asset and fully leveraged. For more information, visit www.gu.org.

Questions? Please email gu@gu.org.