The Urban Institute, alongside MEF Associates and the Adjacent Possible, developed a toolkit to support cross-agency coordination and program integration. It offers five modular sections to help agencies set goals, identify and implement strategies, build organizational capacity, and monitor progress over time. Designed for state and local human services agencies, no matter their level of readiness for coordination, this resource can help improve service delivery and the overall experience for individuals and families navigating complex eligibility rules across multiple programs. Explore the toolkit and other related resources here.

House Passes Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

On January 22, the House of Representatives passed several appropriations bills, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Details can be found on their website.

The bill includes relatively stable funding for human services programs, apart from a reduction in refugee assistance. It also extends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding through December 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support staffing levels necessary to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.

The report language included some notable items that include the following: 

• Briefing Committees: Directs the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) to brief the Committees within 30 days of enactment of this Act on the staffing levels of the Office of Community Services (OCS), including information on the workforce in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) office, and how ACF will be addressing any vacancies to support state heating and cooling assistance programs, distribute LIHEAP funding in a timely and accurate manner, and complete the LIHEAP Formula Report as requested.
• Grant Management: Grant terminations can significantly and negatively impact the implementation of programs funded in this Act, as they are intended to be implemented by this agreement. HHS is directed to consult with the Committees prior to terminating grants. The agreement includes a provision requiring notification to the Committees no less than three days prior to announcing or providing notice of a grant termination.
• Payment Management System (PMS): In addition to the directives included under this heading in Senate Report 119-55, the agreement directs HHS to provide advance notification to the Committees prior to implementing any restrictions that would delay disbursement of funds to grantees through PMS. The agreement further directs HHS to ensure that disbursements through PMS are processed within five business days, except under extraordinary circumstances. For any delays of more than five business days, HHS is directed to brief the Committees on the circumstances justifying such delays.

The appropriations package will now move to the Senate for a vote next week (weather permitting). Congressional action must be completed by January 30 to avoid another (partial) government shutdown.

Subcommittee Hearing Highlights the Critical Role of Child Care

On January 13, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing titled, “Who’s Watching the Kids? How Employers, Innovators, and Parents are Solving America’s Child Care Crunch.” Lawmakers and expert witnesses underscored that accessible, affordable child care is essential for working families, boosts workforce participation, and strengthens the economy. The hearing served as a follow-up to a June 2025 subcommittee session that examined bipartisan efforts to preserve and strengthen the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and other federal child care investments.

ACF Releases Report on Child Maltreatment

ACF recently released the Child Maltreatment 2024 report, an annual publication on child abuse and neglect cases based on data submitted by child protective services agencies through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). The report covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico within the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024.

Streamlining Job Opportunities and Training for SNAP Participants

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Labor announced a new Memorandum of Understanding to expand skills training and employment opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. The agreement is designed to help states better connect SNAP participants with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) job training programs, supporting pathways to sustained employment for individuals living with low incomes.

HHS Adds Former U.S. Attorney to Anti-Fraud Efforts

HHS announced the addition of Scott Brady to the Office of General Counsel on January 22. In this role, Brady will focus on supporting the HHS initiative to combat fraud. Brady previously served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania during the current administration’s first term and has experience prosecuting cases of health care fraud.

ACF Seeks Three-Year Extension of TANF and MOE Annual Reporting

ACF is requesting a three-year extension of the ACF-204: Annual TANF and State Maintenance-of-Effort (MOE) Report. The extension will include updated instructions and adjusted burden estimates, but no substantive changes to the form itself. This report collects descriptive information on TANF programs and related state and territory expenditures used to meet MOE requirements, helping monitor how resources support economic security for families. Comments on the proposed extension are due by March 23.