The latest post on our blog, The Catalyst, highlights how centering lived experience and sharing decision-making power can strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition supports. Titled “The Power of Partnership,” it’s the first in a series about our CSNS initiative, a partnership between APHSA and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. The post tells the story of how rethinking power dynamics led to deeper conversations and lasting impact for the communities served by these vital benefits. Read and share the post today!

Partial Government Shutdown Avoided with Passage of New Legislation

Congress enacted legislation to formally end the most recent partial government shutdown and restore federal operations. While most agencies are now funded through the remainder of the fiscal year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is temporarily funded through February 13, 2026, as Congress continues to negotiate DHS appropriations.

The Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026 includes relatively stable funding for human services programs. It also extends funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program through December 31, 2026.

Notably, the signed package includes Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) policy changes that affect eligibility and administrative processes for state and local human services agencies.

Impacts include:

• Expanded Medicaid eligibility options for working adults with disabilities, including removal of the current age cap of 65 for states that offer Medicaid buy-in programs and creation of a new eligibility category for individuals aged 16 or older who would otherwise qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if not for their earned income.
• Streamlined Medicaid and CHIP provider enrollment for children and youth, requiring states to allow eligible out-of-state providers serving enrollees under age 21 to enroll without additional screening beyond what is necessary for payment.

HHS Will Invest $100 Million in Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a $100 million investment to support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts through the Great American Recovery Initiative. The funding will be overseen by the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Supports (STREETS) project, which will focus on outreach, psychiatric care, medical stabilization, crisis intervention, and connecting individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders to stable housing.

ACF Releases SSBG Fiscal Year 26 Q1 Allocation Update

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced an update to the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) and Consolidated Block Grant (CBG) for fiscal year 2026. This update informs states and eligible territories of available allotments for grant recipients, with direct implications for program planning, budgeting, and service delivery.

ACF Strengthens Title IV-E Prevention by Adding New MOUD

ACF Assistant Secretary, Alex Adams, announced in a Dear Colleague letter that three U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) have been added as prevention services eligible for funding under Title IV-E. ACF also released related language that jurisdictions may use to amend their Title IV-E Prevention Plans.

OFA Releases Issue Brief on TANF Contingency Funds

A new issue brief from the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) examines the TANF Contingency Fund, its current function, and challenges the fund faces to meet its mission of providing temporary supplemental grants to states during economic downturns. The brief focuses on the fund’s SNAP caseload benchmark and maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirement. 

OFA Releases TANF Data For Fiscal Year 2024

OFA has released official data showing how states spent and transferred a combined $37.5 billion in federal TANF and state MOE funds in fiscal year 2024. The information is broken down by major activity categories such as basic assistance, work and training, child care, and child welfare services.

OFA Publishes TANF Financial Data for Fiscal Year 2024

OFA has compiled and made available a table of federal TANF and state MOE expenditures for fiscal year 2024, as reported by states. It offers a complete financial picture of how these block grant funds were used across the country, enabling a better understanding of how TANF and MOE funds are being utilized and what trends can be seen compared to prior years.

ACF Requests Public Comment on Proposed SAVES Data Collection

ACF is requesting public comment on a proposed information collection as part of the Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) Demonstration research on safety in the child support program. The SAVES Center plans to conduct one-time data collection activities with domestic violence survivors, advocates, and child support staff to better understand their experiences and identify barriers and promising practices related to safety in the child support system. Public comments on the proposed collection are due by April 3.