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This Week In Washington

July 26, 2024

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Hello Donna,

Early bird registration rates for our Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference 2024 close August 1! Be sure to register today and join us in Portland, Oregon, August 25-28, to help shape the future of human services programs through collaboration, integration, and modernization.

Early bird registration is also open for the annual ISM + PHSA Education Conference & Expo! Join us in Aurora, Colorado, October 6-9, for cutting-edge insights into technology and legal trends in human services. Register today!

Top Headline

Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act


APHSA, in coalition with 20 other organizations, submitted a letter to the House Committee on Ways & Means that expressed our collective support for the bipartisan "Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act," which would invest critical new resources in Title IV-B and provide needed policy improvements and additional resources for agencies to target and elevate the conditions that drive families to the child welfare system.

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Legislative Updates

House Committee on Ways & Means Supports Two Important Bills


On July 24, the House Committee on Ways & Means voted unanimously to support two important bills in support of children and families. Both bills have bipartisan support and have been endorsed by APHSA. The Committee passed H.R. 7906, the "Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act," and H.R. 9076, the "Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act." Both bills will be passed onto the House floor for consideration.

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Moving Human Services Upstream

White House Convening on Child Welfare Transformation


The White House Convening on Child Welfare Transformation, hosted by the Domestic Policy Council, will take place next week on July 30 from 12:30 to 4:30 PM ET. This online event will highlight the administration’s policy priorities that help families stay together safely with supports, and reshape foster care to better serve children.

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Report on States' Child Welfare Data Systems of Record


The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) recently published a report sharing the findings on States' Child Welfare Data Systems of Record. The report highlights how most states connected the data in their system of record concerning factors such as child abuse and neglect investigations for the Family First Prevention Services Act, and Medicaid eligibility.

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Public Comment Period Now Open: Tribal CCDF Plan FY 2026-2028


The Office of Child Care (OCC) announced that the 60-day public comment period is now open in the Federal Register for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2028 Tribal Child Care and Development Fund Plan Preprint. The OCC encourages Tribal Lead Agencies, Tribal Nations, and interested audiences to share this draft plan for thoughtful feedback on the content and structure of the draft plan preprint. The comment period closes September 3.

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A Snapshot of States’ Child Welfare Data Systems of Record


The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) recently published the report, A Snapshot of States’ Child Welfare Data Systems of Record. It focuses on the State Child Welfare Data Linkages (SCW) Descriptive Study which, among other outcomes, collected information about state practices related to sharing and connecting data. The study aims to provide novel information regarding state data linkages that may improve the ongoing and accurate surveillance of child maltreatment incidence and related risk.

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Advancing Social and Economic Mobility

FNS Seeks Comment: SNAP Employment Verification


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This collection aims to verify employment data through the National Directory of New Hires to ensure accurate benefit distribution. The comment period closes August 22.

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Letter for States on Mandatory SNAP E&T


In a letter to state commissioners of SNAP, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) shares insights for state agencies on the operation of mandatory SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) programs. It highlights the importance of evaluating program outcomes to ensure they meet the goals of increasing employment opportunities for SNAP recipients.

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Report on USDA Domestic and Nutrition Assistance Programs


Last month, the USDA Economic Research Service published a comprehensive report on their domestic and nutrition assistance programs. The report highlights significant trends and policy changes in FY 2023, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on program participation and spending. It also examines the prevalence of household food insecurity and the financial challenges faced by households with school-aged children.

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Request for Proposals for TANF FRA Pilots


ACF released a request for proposals for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Fiscal Responsibility Act Of 2023 (FRA) Pilots. They released an accompanying Dear Colleague Letter with the request for proposal.

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OFA Publishes Guidance Related to Work Outcome Measures


The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) published a Program Instruction coupled with a Technical Resource Guide designed to support state and territory agencies in successfully understanding, preparing, and submitting the new reporting requirements. 

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APHSA Events

WEBINAR: Learn How to THRIVE


This webinar will walk you through the various features that our Training Hub for Resources, Innovation, and Virtual Exchange (THRIVE) Learning Management System has to offer. Learn how to navigate it, enroll in courses, access resources, and connect with peers via THRIVE online learning communities. Invest in your learning and learn how to THRIVE!


August 5, 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET

Register Today

WEBINAR: NSDTA Showcase Series - Beyond the Job Posting


Examining alternatives to traditional recruitment and retention strategies, this workshop will give participants an opportunity to apply concepts from implementation science and self-determination theory directly to their organizations. Participants will be given tools to craft small, structured experiments aimed at improving recruitment and retention for their organizations.


August 22, 3:00 to 4:00 PM ET

Register Today

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