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On Wednesday, November 12, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government through January 30, 2026, along with three Appropriations bills, including the Agriculture; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch Appropriations bills. In addition, Senate Republicans and Democrats have agreed to hold a vote by mid-December on the continuation of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. While the House hasn't committed to a similar vote, there are reports that they will begin to hold listening sessions on health insurance costs.
Other things of note include:
- Section 8001 of the CR waives PAYGO, which will prevent deep cuts to several programs, including Medicare, Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF), and Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV).
Within the Agriculture Appropriations bill:
- $8.2 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- $460 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to assist low-income seniors.
- $37.8 billion in mandatory funding for child nutrition programs, as requested by the Administration.
- $107 billion in mandatory funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as requested by the Administration.
- Reimbursement of the SNAP and WIC contingency reserves to account for expenditures during the government shutdown, including $6 billion for SNAP.
APHSA continues to support our members through these developments and will also continue to keep our This Week In Washington (TWIW) subscribers informed as developments unfold. In the meantime, please contact Lexie Kuznick, Director of Policy and Government Relations, with any questions or suggestions on how APHSA can best support you.
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FNS Confirms Full Funding for November SNAP Benefits
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has issued guidance confirming that full FY26 funding is now available, allowing states to issue full November SNAP benefits and proceed with December files under normal operations. Key directives include directing states to restore full allotments immediately, pause countable months for time-limited participants for November, and resume standard E&T, eligibility, and claims processes. FNS will provide additional direction on the November Quality Control sample and case review process and will not hold states accountable for November 2025 application or recertification timeliness. While funding has been restored, FNS encourages states to stay prepared for any future disruptions.
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New Executive Order Aimed at Reshaping Child Welfare and Supports for Transition-Age Youth
On Thursday, November 13, the Administration released a new Executive Order titled, Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, outlining a federal push to modernize the child welfare system and expand pathways for youth transitioning from foster care. The order directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve data practices and state child welfare information systems, reduce duplicative reporting, and publish annual state scorecards on key outcomes. It also launches a new “Fostering the Future” initiative focused on educational and employment supports for transition-age youth, including an online platform to help young people access services and navigate available programs.
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HUD Releases New Continuum of Care and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Notice of Funding Opportunity with Notable Changes
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released the FY 2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlining updated requirements and priorities for the upcoming national competition. This year’s NOFO includes several shifts from previous iterations of the program, including changes to eligibility criteria, funding structure, and application timelines. State and local partners are encouraged to review the NOFO closely to understand how these updates may affect planning, coordination, and service delivery for individuals and youth experiencing homelessness.
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ACF Updates NOFO for Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five Systems-Building Grant
On Monday, November 10, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published an update to the FY 2025 Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Systems-Building Grant (HHS-2025-ACF-ECD-TP-0016) Notice of Funding Opportunity with an anticipated post date of November 12. While as of publication, it has not yet been posted, eligible states and territories will be able to apply for funding to implement Systems-Building Grant activities under the PDG B-5 program once posted.
These grants aim to help states and territories strengthen early care and education systems and expand families’ access to high-quality options within a mixed delivery system, guided by a comprehensive statewide birth-to-five needs assessment and strategic plan. Please refer to the Grants.gov website for further information.
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Improving Outcomes For Young Adults and the Systems that Serve Them: A Playbook of Best Practices
Developed by APHSA in partnership with Youth Villages and FosterClub, this new playbook was co-designed with young people with lived experience in foster care to be a road map for child welfare agencies, policymakers, and advocates who are committed to improving outcomes for young people who turn 18 in foster care. It provides a shared vision, core guiding principles, and actionable strategies to support youth transitioning from foster care into adulthood with stability, belonging, and opportunity. It is grounded in the voices of youth themselves and is designed to inform practice, policy, and system transformation across human services.
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Simplifying SNAP Through ESAP: A 2025 Scan of State Implementation and Lessons Learned
APHSA's latest publication analyzes survey responses from 32 SNAP agency staff and 53 community-based organization (CBO) staff to understand their perspectives on the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), a policy approach intended to improve SNAP participation among eligible older adults and streamline administrative processes.
The findings highlight what customers, CBOs, and state agencies value most in ESAP implementation approaches, the challenges states face when planning and implementing ESAP projects, and ways those challenges can be addressed. The report also outlines the supports states and CBOs need to strengthen their efforts, common considerations for states that have not yet adopted ESAP, and priorities for the future of ESAP.
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THRIVE LMS Live Help Webinar
We’re inviting all THRIVE users and those interested in learning more to our THRIVE LMS Live Help Webinar. Attendees will find solutions, share feedback, and get tips on making the most of their learning experience. Come with questions, challenges, and ideas so that you and the THRIVE team can make learning smoother, together.
If you are new to APHSA's Learning Management System (LMS), THRIVE, get started today!
December 8, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
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2026 APHSA National Leadership Academy Application is Open
The APHSA National Leadership Academy is a space for human services leaders to reflect on, grow, and strengthen their leadership skills for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Take part in a program designed to reshape how you lead your teams and organization, while also exploring next-generation leadership competencies that drive change centered in people and community. Learn more and apply today.
Application deadline: January 30, 2026
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