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October 10, 2025

As we previously shared, Congress did not enact full-year appropriations or a continuing resolution before the September 30 deadline and a lapse in federal funding took effect October 1. APHSA is closely monitoring shutdown developments and engaging with our federal partners to elevate the needs of human services agencies. For state and local CEOs, materials are available on our member resources page. Please reach out to Lexie Kuznick, our Director of Policy and Government Relations, with any questions on how we can support you.

This Wednesday, we wrapped up the 2025 National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference! It was an inspiring four days filled with celebration, professional growth, and collaboration—all in the spirit of enhancing training and organizational development within the human services sector. From motivational keynotes to engaging breakout sessions, we came together to share ideas and connect with each other.

Keep a lookout for photo highlights and key takeaways on our social media channels (linked above) and in our monthly newsletter, The Compass. For those who participated, we want to thank you for making this year's NSDTA Education Conference an amazing event and we hope you arrived back home feeling revitalized and ready to put new ideas into action!

Administrative Updates

FNS Publishes Guidance on H.R. 1 ABAWD Implementation

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued an implementation memo clarifying H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or OBBBA) changes to carrying out the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Changes include increasing the age range for ABAWDs up to 64, reducing the age of dependents to 14, new exemptions for Native Americans, and the removal of "lack of sufficient jobs" as a criteria to waive ABAWD requirements. FNS also released new guidance related to those with existing waivers and clarified that they must be terminated by November 2.

Confirmation of Alex Adams to Head Family Support

Alex Adams, former director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, was confirmed by the Senate to lead the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as the Assistant Secretary for Family Support within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). His confirmation was made by a vote of 51 to 47, and the announcement was made alongside the confirmation of dozens of other presidential nominations.

ACF Awards Over $100 Million in HMRF Grants

ACF announced more than $100 million in Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) grants awarded to 109 organizations across 38 states. These grants are designed to strengthen families through initiatives meant to promote responsible fatherhood, healthy marriages and relationships, and economic stability. The funding falls under three main initiatives: FORGE Fatherhood, HEART (Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive), and READY4Life.

The Children’s Bureau Releases Updated Submittal Information for IV-E Agencies

The Children’s Bureau has provided an update on the Technical Bulletin #1 that was originally published on August 19, 2019. This revised document provides new information regarding how child welfare agencies must format and submit IV-E Prevention Services Data (PSD) files in compliance with ACF requirements.

APHSA Events

Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference

The Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference is less than 10 days away! Register today to join us as we host legal professionals within human services for an event that covers legal trends, policy updates, and best practices in public sector law.

October 19-22

WEBINAR: Motivational Interviewing Fidelity in Child Welfare: Real-World Strategies to Improve Outcomes

Join APHSA and our Strategic Industry Partner, Lyssn, in a webinar that explores how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can strengthen collaboration with families and improve outcomes in the child welfare system. Presenters will share their expertise in integrating MI into human services practice while also including a real-world case study from Wyoming’s Department of Family Services (DFS).

October 14, 12:30-1:30 pm ET

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