April 21, 2023

Hello Donna,

You may notice that today’s issue of This Week in Washington (TWIW) is organized a little differently. Three new sections—moving human services upstream, advancing social and economic mobility, and strengthening the human services sector—come out of our 2023 Action Plan which aims to ensure our association-wide efforts are focused on what is top of mind for our members. One thing that hasn’t changed, we look forward to continuing to bring you the latest human services legislative updates from the Hill, the Administration, and more!

APHSA is currently surveying state and local agencies about their relationship to environmental justice to gauge current work and interest in this area. Whatever your current level of engagement or interest in environmental justice, if you work for a human services agency, we encourage you to fill out this 15-minute survey before the end of April and share it with others.

The call for ISM Awards of Excellence nominations are now open. Awards include The ISM Awards of Excellence and The ISM 2023 Recognition Awards categories. Be sure to download the criteria and awards FAQ. Then share your success stories and nominate your agency today!

Find and Protect Foster Youth Act Introduced in the Senate

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) have introduced the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act. The bill would improve information-sharing and practices between states and ACF for missing or runaway foster youth cases.

New Proposal From House GOP Leadership to Raise the National Debt Ceiling

House GOP leadership released a legislative proposal to raise the national debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for a sweeping array of cuts in discretionary spending, totaling $4.5 trillion—including significant impacts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid. Read our full statement and our call to work with members and partners to prepare for all possible outcomes.

ACF Releases Information on Expiration of PHE-Related Flexibilities

ACF has released an Information Memorandum (IM) that provides IV-E agencies with notice that flexibilities offered by the Children’s Bureau in response to the COVID-19 pandemic disaster declarations will expire on June 30, 2023.

APHSA Member Opportunity: Family Input Resources Toolkit Pilot

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is conducting a study called “TANF and Child Support Moving Forward: Further Incorporating Family Input.” The goal is to help the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and child support programs improve service based on input from those served. To participate, the expression of interest form must be completed before May 12.

Administration Announces Most Sweeping Set of Executive Actions to Improve Care in History

On April 18, the administration announced a comprehensive set of executive actions to improve care for families while supporting care workers and family caregivers. The Executive Order includes more than 50 directives to nearly every cabinet-level agency to expand access to affordable, high-quality care as well as provide support for care workers and family caregivers.

Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share Requirement

Based on the experiences of and consultations with Tribes and Tribal organizations, the ACF Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is proposing to eliminate the non-Federal share of program expenditures requirement for Tribal child support enforcement programs. This includes the 90/10 and 80/20 cost-sharing rates.

FNS Final Rule Title IV of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting as final the interim final rule on non-discretionary quality control provisions of Title IV of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. Published on August 13, 2021, the interim final rule addressed non-discretionary quality control (QC) provisions on issues such as the use of third-party contractors.

Process and Technology Improvement Grants

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) intends to award up to $5 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Process and Technology Improvement Grants once each fiscal year. Applications for FY23 grants are due June 15 and are expected to be awarded in August.

Employment and Training National Partnership Grants

In fiscal year 2023, FNS intends to award approximately $3 million to non-profit national organizations with broad member or affiliate networks that provide direct workforce development services to individuals with low income and low skill levels, including SNAP participants.

Fraud Framework Implementation Grant

FNS has announced a grant opportunity to improve and expand recipient fraud prevention, detection and investigation efforts using the procedures, ideas and practices outlined in the SNAP Fraud Framework. FNS strongly encourages states to submit proposals to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud. Applications are due by June 4.

State Frameworks for Infant and Toddler Teacher and Caregiver Competencies

To build the capacity of the infant and toddler (I/T) care and education workforce, and to support quality improvement, many states have developed frameworks that outline specific competencies essential to teaching and caring for infants and toddlers. The link map provides information on those frameworks.

Our Statement concerning NPRM on Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes

APHSA and its affinity group, the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA), have reviewed and provided comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes. Our detailed feedback was gathered from state and local human services executive leadership and the leaders administering child welfare and economic support services.

Early Registration for National Human Services Summit Ends Soon

Early registration rates for ASPHA National Human Services Summit 2023 ends

next week! Make sure you register today to hear from federal partners,

network with peers from across the country, attend top tier educational

sessions, be inspired by thought leaders, and discover solutions for the future

together. 

Event Dates: May 21 to 24

APHSA Career Center - Post Your Open Positions Today

APHSA serves as a clearinghouse for job opportunities throughout the Human Services sector. Employers reach a wide audience of candidates searching for careers and job seekers will find a number of opportunities throughout the country.

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