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Don’t miss your chance to experience the power of the APHSA National Human Services Summit firsthand! This year’s theme, Leadership for a Stronger Tomorrow, promises an impactful experience filled with opportunities to connect with the leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of human services. Be sure to take advantage of our extended early bird registration rates before the holiday weekend—secure your spot by Tuesday, May 26!
This Week In Washington will take a brief pause next week in line with the Congressional calendar. We hope you have a safe and restful Memorial Day weekend!
Continue below for the latest developments in Washington impacting human services.
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ACF Expected to Release TANF NPRM on Reducing Administrative Burden
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is expected to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Tuesday entitled “Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Family Assistance Programs,” which would propose updates to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to remove outdated or unnecessary regulatory requirements. The regulations would span eligibility, fiscal management, accountability, reporting, and Tribal TANF. In the coming days, APHSA will further review the proposed rule and discuss it with our members.
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USDA Releases Guidance on SNAP Administrative Cost-Sharing Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released guidance and FAQs explaining how H.R. 1 modifies federal and state cost-sharing responsibilities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administration. The guidance outlines implementation expectations and clarifies which programs will be impacted by the shift under the new law.
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USDA Seeks Continued State Reporting on SNAP Operational Changes and Interstate Benefit Matching
The USDA is requesting continued approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for requirements that states report major SNAP operational changes to the Food and Nutrition Service and participate in the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC), which uses daily interstate data matching to identify and prevent duplicate SNAP benefit issuances across states. Public comments are due June 22.
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USDA Announces SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has opened applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants (PTIG), which support projects that modernize SNAP customer service, improve eligibility and application processing, and strengthen technology coordination across benefit programs. Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and community partners. Applications are due June 29.
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USDA Releases FY 2024 SNAP Household Characteristics Report
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has published its latest report on SNAP household characteristics, providing updated national data on participant demographics, income, employment, and benefit trends for FY 2024.
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USDA Proposes Updates to SNAP Quality Control Review Worksheet
USDA is proposing technical and reporting updates to the SNAP Quality Control (QC) worksheet and instructions used for payment accuracy reviews. Proposed changes include new data fields related to categorical eligibility, lottery and gambling winnings, homelessness deductions, and missing reports; replacing the Social Security Number (SSN) field with an email field; and adding a new case review summary section. The Food and Nutrition Service estimates the revisions will modestly increase state administrative workload. Public comments are due July 17.
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HHS Announces Audit Enforcement and Risk Oversight Initiative
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new Audit Enforcement & Risk Oversight initiative aimed at strengthening oversight of federal funding through enhanced audit enforcement, risk monitoring, and program integrity efforts. According to HHS, the initiative is intended to improve accountability, identify improper payments and fraud risks, and support more consistent oversight across HHS-funded programs and grants.
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House Ways and Means Committee Advances TANF Program Integrity Legislation
Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup on several bills, including TANF-related legislation in H.R. 8872, the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act. The bill would restrict the use of TANF funds to individuals under 200% of the federal poverty level, put new limitations on reserves, and require the HHS Secretary to submit a plan to address improper payments in TANF, among other provisions. It was advanced out of committee on a 23–19 vote.
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House Passes Bipartisan Foster Youth Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan package of legislation to modernize and strengthen supports for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood. The bills include updates to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program focused on improving access to housing, education, workforce supports, and services for expectant and parenting youth, while helping states better support successful transitions to adulthood. The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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Using Motivational Interviewing to Drive Workforce Success in the Mississippi Delta
OE Peer Learning Webinar Series
June 2 | 2:00pm ET
| APHSA's Organizational Effectiveness (OE) team is proud to feature its collaboration with the Delta Health Alliance (DHA) on a Motivational Interviewing (MI) training series. Through this series, DHA workforce development staff are building practical skills that enhance engagement, improve outcomes, and deepen trust with the communities they serve. Join us to learn how MI can support workforce program retention and completion, as well as transform everyday conversations into powerful opportunities for change. | |
Strengthening Integrity in Child Care Subsidy Programs: Addressing Fraud Risk Through Design, Not Disruption
Presented by Vimo, APHSA Strategic Industry Partner
June 4 | 1:30pm ET
| Recent scrutiny has intensified focus on fraud and improper payments in child care subsidy programs, raising concerns about payments made without services delivered. This webinar examines where fraud risks typically arise and how states can address them without limiting access for families or providers. The discussion also emphasizes strengthening oversight without increasing administrative burden and what recent federal and state attention means for the future of Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program integrity. | |
Submit Nominations for EMWB Impact Award for Excellence in Human Services
| Each year at the Economic Mobility and Well-Being (EMWB) Conference, we recognize state and local human services agencies that make a meaningful, measurable difference in their communities with the EMWB Impact Award for Excellence in Human Services. Nomination deadline is June 12. | |
APHSA Conferences
Registration for all 2026 APHSA conferences remain open! Join us to connect with peers, stay ahead of emerging trends in human services, and secure early bird rates while they last. We look forward to connecting with you soon! Learn more here.
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