In early November, APHSA will be kicking off our new Partnerships for Alignment, Credentialing, and Employment (PACE) initiative. PACE is a peer learning community for administrators of TANF, SNAP E&T, and child care programs. The goal is to strengthen coordination with higher education and postsecondary credentialing partners to help benefits recipients access quality upskilling while ensuring students can meet basic needs through public assistance. It starts with four virtual peer-learning meetings and continues quarterly through summer 2026, culminating in an in-person event at APHSA’s 2026 Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference. To get involved, fill out the interest form today! | | This Week in Washington will be off next week, in line with the congressional calendar. However, we’ll keep you informed of any important announcements through our special updates and social media accounts (linked above). We'll be back in your inbox on October 3. | | |
House Passes Short-Term Funding Bill as Senate Faces Uncertain Path Forward
Although today the House passed a bill to continue funding the federal government through November 21 by a vote of 217–212, there is not a clear path forward for the Senate to secure the 60 votes necessary to pass a continuing resolution (or actual appropriations bills) by October 1. Instead, the Senate held competing votes today—one on the Republican-led bill that passed the House, which would fund the government until late November at current levels, and another on a Democratic bill that would fund the government through October 31 and includes a permanent extension of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits as well as the reversal of Medicaid changes under H.R. 1 and recent rescissions. Both votes failed to garner 60 yes votes.
After today’s votes, the Senate is expected to recess through next week (though this could change), meaning the next vote would likely occur on September 29. APHSA will continue to monitor appropriations-related developments closely and share timely updates.
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Federal Courts Pause Elements of PRWORA Changes
A series of recent court rulings has temporarily blocked federal efforts to reinterpret the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) to limit additional programs to only “qualified” immigrants. Attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C. won a preliminary injunction in their jurisdictions, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) secured a nationwide injunction.
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$50 Billion Through Rural Health Transformation Program Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) within HHS has launched a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created through H.R. 1, or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. All states are invited to apply by November 5, 2025, to receive funds over a five-year period, with $10 billion available each year starting Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The goals of the program include expanded access, improved quality, enhanced workforce recruitment and retention. Awardees will be announced by December 31, 2025.
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ACF Announces a New Strategic Alignment Initiative
Andrew Gradison, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), recently announced a new strategic alignment initiative to coordinate the efforts of each ACF program. The initiative aims to concentrate funding on proven interventions and achieve measurable results. It will prioritize work as the primary pathway to self-sufficiency and, internally, there will be an increased focus on enhancing oversight mechanisms and reinforcing fiscal responsibility.
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OPRE Publishes New BASE Methodological Guide
The Building and Sustaining the Child Care and Early Education Workforce (BASE) project has recently developed a guide that offers a framework to help researchers, policymakers, and program administrators. Published by the Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation (OPRE), it highlights design considerations for cost studies of child care and early education (CCEE) workforce development strategies—an approach to taking inventory of all resources needed and applying consistent pricing so cost results are comparable and transparent.
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New HHS Study Finds Home Visiting Services Improve Family Well-Being
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released new findings from the Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation (MIHOPE) study. It shows that families utilizing federally funded, evidence-based home visiting services through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program experience lasting benefits by the time children reach kindergarten. Direct interactions between home visitors and families led to significant improvements in economic circumstances and stronger parent-child interactions, among other benefits.
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LIHEAP Household Report Long Form and Short Form for FFY 2025
The Office of Community Services (OCS) has released guidance on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Household Report for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025. It’s meant to inform grant recipients that they must submit a preliminary report through the On-Line Data Collection (OLDC) system by October 15, 2025, with a final report due by December 31, 2025. States and territories will complete the “long form,” while tribes will use the “short form”. Updates include replacing the term “gender” with “biological sex” in certain sections while other reporting requirements remain mostly unchanged from prior years.
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New Brief from ASPE Highlights CCBHCs
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) has published a brief titled “The Impact of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) on Children, Youth, and their Families.” It draws on data from 2018-2025 (including interviews, surveys, and quality metrics) to examine how Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) have served child, youth, and family populations. The brief also highlights strategies clinics used to improve access, reduce barriers, and partner with other entities to support families while identifying quality improvement efforts.
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New Policy Added to the Child Welfare Policy Manual
This week, the Children's Bureau added a new section to the Child Welfare Policy Manual. It clarifies that Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments cannot be claimed when a child is placed in a licensed or approved foster family home where the parent from whom the child was removed also resides. This is because foster care is defined as substitute care “away from parents or guardians.” The only exception is when a minor parent and their child are placed together in the same foster home, as authorized under federal statute.
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WEBINAR: One Big Beautiful Bill and Beyond - What’s Changing in Federal Eligibility Rules
This PHSA webinar features Phil Peisch and Julia Seigenberg, Managing Partner and Senior Associate at Brown & Peisch, PLLC, respectively. The event will discuss several recent changes to rules governing eligibility for federal human services programs, including the Medicaid eligibility changes in H.R. 1 and in HHS’ recent revisions to its interpretation of federal public benefits under PRWORA. Expect a deep dive into these high-level topics along with a preview of the more in-depth discussions that will occur at the annual PHSA conference in Reno next month!
September 23 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET
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