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During the congressional break in August, we debuted the Human Services Work Requirement Crosswalk as Impacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA/H.R. 1). This document is an overview of several human services programs, with an emphasis on the changes made by OBBBA/H.R. 1.
APHSA will continue to update this resource as more information and guidance is released by our federal partners at the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please contact Chloe Green, Manager of Food and Nutrition Services at APHSA.
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The Latest in the Appropriations Process for FY 2026
On September 1, the House Appropriations Committee released its FY 2026 funding bill, allocating $184.5 billion across Labor, HHS, and Education programs, including $108 billion for HHS—$7 billion (6%) below the FY 2025 enacted level. The measure moved out of subcommittee to the full committee on a party-line vote of 11–7. The bill proposes significant reductions to Department of Labor workforce programs, additional HHS cuts, including the elimination of Preschool Development Grants, and new investments for the Make America Healthy Again initiative. Importantly, the Senate version does not include these changes, and any final appropriations bill must pass the Senate with a 60-vote threshold, requiring bipartisan support. If agreement is not reached by September 30, Congress could pass a Continuing Resolution to avoid a government shutdown on October 1. The bottom line is that final HHS and other funding levels remain uncertain. APHSA is monitoring developments and will continue to provide members with the latest updates. For any questions in the meantime, please contact Lexie Kuznick, Director of Policy and Government Relations.
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Children’s Bureau Issues Title IV-B Implementation Update
The Children’s Bureau has released Information Memorandum (IM) 25-05 outlining next steps for implementing the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (Pub. L. 118-258), which reauthorizes and amends Title IV-B programs effective October 1, 2025. State, tribal, and territorial agencies must begin implementation by this date and report progress in their FY 2027 Annual Progress and Services Reports due June 30, 2026, while Court Improvement Program grantees will follow new requirements and funding guidance in the forthcoming FY 2027 Program Instruction. Agencies may request delayed implementation under Section 117 of the Act.
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USDA Seeks Public Input on Revised SNAP‑Ed Reporting System
The USDA invites comments by November 3, 2025 on proposed revisions to the SNAP‑Ed electronic reporting forms, including the Annual Report and State Plan as part of the form renewal process under OMB. The revisions aim to enhance clarity and streamline reporting while maintaining standardized, online submissions across state and implementing agencies.
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USDA Seeks State Demonstrations While Awaiting Updated Guidance on Non-Merit Personnel in SNAP
USDA has announced that while updated guidance on the use of non-merit staff for SNAP administration is forthcoming, it encourages states to submit demonstration projects aimed at enhancing efficiency and program improvements in the interim.
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USDA Updates Guidance on SNAP Energy Assistance and Utility Allowances
USDA clarifies that under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), only SNAP households with an elderly or disabled member automatically qualify for the Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance (HCSUA) based on receiving Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), while others must show utility costs. Before the OBBBA, any SNAP household that received a qualifying LIHEAP or similar energy assistance payment automatically received the Utility Allowance.
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New Awards for Tribal Home Visiting Total Over $3 Million to Support Pregnant Women and Families with Young Children
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced over $3 million in new awards to six tribal entities for the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. Tribal MIECHV develops and strengthens tribal capacity to promote the health and well-being of pregnant women and families with children from birth to kindergarten entry in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
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SAMHSA Awarding Supplemental Funding
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding $19 million in new supplemental funding through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant for efforts to address the intersection of homelessness and serious mental illness.
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Secretary Rollins Signs Six New SNAP Food Choice State Waivers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., hosted Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey and signed six new food choice state waivers to further advance President Trump’s efforts to Make America Healthy Again. The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for SNAP in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, each commencing in 2026.
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USDA Opens Public Comment Period on Department Reorganization Plan
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today the opening of a 30-day public comment period for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Department’s reorganization plan, as outlined in the Secretary’s memorandum issued on July 24, 2025. Comment period has been extended to September 30, 2025.
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Registration Open for All Remaining 2025 APHSA Conferences
IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Education Conference & Expo (September 14-17): Held in Reno, NV, this is the premier event for exploring the latest technology trends and innovations in human services IT, bringing together professionals to share solutions and strategies. There's still time to register!
National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference (October 5-8): Held in Norfolk, VA, this conference supports workforce development professionals by providing training, tools, and peer learning opportunities to enhance staff development.
Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference (October 19-22): Held in Reno, NV, we're hosting legal professionals within human services in a conference that covers legal trends, policy updates, and best practices in public sector law.
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Upcoming Webinar
September 23 | 2:00-3:00pm ET
One Big Beautiful Bill and Beyond: What’s Changing in Federal Eligibility Rules
Join us for a webinar discussing several recent changes to rules governing eligibility for federal human services programs in the recently enacted budget bill H.R. 1 (often referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or OBBBA) and in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recent revisions to its interpretation of “Federal public benefits under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
This webinar is being hosted by APHSA on behalf of the affinity group Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) and presented by Phil Peisch, Managing Partner and Julia Seigenberg, Senior Associate from Brown & Peisch, PLLC.
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