With just one week until the end of the federal fiscal year, there will need to be significant progress made in the coming days to avoid a government shutdown. Earlier this week, the House introduced a draft Continuing Resolution that would extend government funding for most human services programs through October 31. However, GOP leadership has so far been unsuccessful in the passage of this language, and the bill will be a non-starter in the Democratic-led Senate. To avert a shutdown, the House will likely need to both pass a bill as a starting point for negotiations, and then maintain a majority to agree to a second compromise bill that can pass muster through both chambers and the White House. Read more about the potential effects of a shutdown on human services programs below. | |
Today is your last chance to take advantage of early registration rates for this year's National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Annual Education Conference. Be sure to register to connect with your colleagues and build "Bridges to a 21st-Century Workforce." The conference will take place October 22 to 25 at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more here. | |
Effects of a Shutdown on Human Services
Below is a breakdown of our current understanding of the risks for specific human services programs should a government shutdown occur. Please keep in mind that the landscape is rapidly changing. APHSA will continue to monitor things and share updates as appropriate.
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TANF:
APHSA submitted a joint letter with our peer public associations urging Congress to pass a clean extension to TANF. While the draft House Continuing Resolution includes language for a short-term extension to programs included in last year’s Appropriations Act, our current understanding is that this language would not extend TANF. If a government shutdown occurs or a Continuing Resolution is passed that doesn’t extend TANF, we believe states could still use unspent TANF funding and state Maintenance of Effort funding to continue operating their programs. However, states may be in different financial positions that affect their ability to do so.
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SNAP:
Earlier this week, USDA released guidance sharing updates on federal financial accounting practices that should preserve the ability of states to issue SNAP benefits in October should there be a government shutdown. Should a prolonged shutdown occur beyond October, there could be more severe consequences that impact the ability of states to issue benefits for November and beyond.
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Child Welfare:
The FY 2023 appropriations package included a first quarter advance in FY 2024 for IV-E funding; therefore, we do not believe there is a near-term risk with this funding. Medicaid and child support similarly have first quarter advances. While representing a small share of child welfare spending, we anticipate Title IV-B (Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs) may be at similar risk to TANF, with lapsing authority under the current draft House Continuing Resolution or in the case of a shutdown.
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Child Care:
Mandatory and matching funding for the Child Care Development Fund is permanently appropriated and should not be affected by the shutdown. However, the Child Care and Development Block Grant—which represents the bulk of annually appropriated child care funds—may be impacted. States have two years to obligate appropriated CCDBG funds, leaving some flexibility in the case of a shutdown.
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Committee on Ways and Means Announces Hearing on Modernizing Child Welfare
The House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith and Work & Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood announced this week that the Subcommittee on Work & Welfare will hold a hearing on modernizing child welfare to protect vulnerable children. The hearing will take place on Thursday, September 28 at 10:00 AM in the Sam Johnson room located in the 2020 Rayburn House Office Building and can be live-streamed.
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Advancing Social and Economic Mobility | |
FNS Releases Memo to Improve Federal Financial Accounting
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released a memo to share a change made in the obligation for funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This change, made entirely on the federal end, will result in a one-month advance obligation of funding. This means that even if there is a potential shutdown at the end of September, SNAP households will receive their October benefits as they would have otherwise. This includes the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for FY 2024, any expedited cases, and any applicants in that month. Of note, Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is funded separately from SNAP and would not be impacted by a potential shutdown.
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FNS Posts NPRM on SNAP QC System
FNS released the much-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on improvements for the SNAP Quality Control (QC) system. This rule was authorized through the 2018 Farm Bill and includes changes to how QC reviews are conducted. Comments are due November 20.
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FNS Announces Four Fraud Framework Implementation Grants for FY 2023
FNS announced four new SNAP Fraud Framework Implementation grants for FY 2023 to Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Colorado. The fraud framework is included below.
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Climate Change and Household Financial Well-Being: Understanding Risk and Building Resilience
Join the Urban Institute as they explore the causes and consequences of household financial stress attributable to climate extremes. This event will include a discussion with the Assistant Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury, Graham Steele, about the Treasury’s work on climate change and American household finances.
September 29, 1:00 to 2:15 PM EST
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NOHS Conference
Join Sheila J. Poole, Vice President for External Relations at APHSA, as she delivers the keynote speech at the NOHS 2023 National Conference, hosted by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS). The event will be held at the Westin Hotel in Alexandria, VA.
November 10-13.
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APHSA Career Center - Post Your Open Positions Today
APHSA serves as a clearinghouse for job opportunities throughout the Human Services sector. Employers reach a wide audience of candidates searching for careers and job seekers will find a number of opportunities throughout the country.
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