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August 2, 2024

Hello Donna,

APHSA joined states, tribes, national partners, leaders with lived experience and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for the White House Convening on Child Welfare Transformation highlighting the Administration's efforts to keep children and families safely together and supported. The administration released a fact sheet outlining efforts to improve child welfare systems, including increased funding and resources for family support services. The administration also emphasized the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect through community-based programs.

This Week in Washington will take a hiatus for the remainder of the summer, in line with the congressional calendar. Keep a look out for us in your inbox on September 13. In the meantime, we’ll keep you apprised of any important updates through our social media (linked above).

Legislative Updates

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2025 HHS Funding Bill

On August 1, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved in a 25 to 3 vote, funding for a Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The bill includes a proposed $2.3 billion increase in child care and early childhood investments. Final funding levels remain subject to change, as the House and Senate must reconcile and jointly approve final appropriation levels. Given timing, a continuing resolution will likely be needed to avoid a government shutdown in October and temporarily extend funding at current levels until after the November election.

Moving Human Services Upstream

Dear Colleague Letter on Supporting Kinship Caregivers

The Children’s Bureau has released a joint letter on their collaboration and coordinated efforts around the shared goal of supporting grandfamilies and kinship families, both to prevent unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system and to maintain connection to kin when child welfare intervention is necessary.

Advancing Social and Economic Mobility

APHSA and NASWA Release New ACCESS Report

This week, in partnership with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), we released a new report titled, "Paving the Road to ACCESS: Early Insights from the Aligned Customer-Centered Ecosystem of Supports & Services (ACCESS) Initiative." It highlights early adoption of data and system integration strategies to streamline access to benefits and services across various agencies.

Lessons Learned from Providing Employment Coaching to Families Receiving TANF Benefits

ACF released a report in July on lessons learned from an evaluation of the implementation of two employment coaching programs that served families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Employment coaching involves trained staff working collaboratively with TANF participants to help them set individualized goals that relate directly or indirectly to employment.

HUD awards $3.4 M to Public Housing Authorities for Youth in Transition from Foster Care

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced an award of $3.4 million to 38 public housing agencies. The funding will be applied to 257 vouchers and the administrative fees needed to provide housing assistance to young adults who left foster care or are transitioning out of foster care.

Memo on SNAP Extension of Waiver of Quality Control Face-to-Face Interview Requirement

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a memorandum which extends the existing quality control face-to-face interview waiver, to all states, through September 30, 2025. Extending the waiver is meant to provide clients flexibility and enables state agencies to complete more case reviews in less time.

Strengthening the Human Services Sector

New Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Email List

The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse is inviting you to stay up-to-date on systematic reviews of research on programs and services that enhance support for children and families. Established by ACF, the Clearinghouse has established an email list for you to receive information on various topics including new program or service ratings, engagement opportunities, and new resources. Sign up today!

New Policies Added to the Child Welfare Policy Manual

ACF published six new Question and Answers in the Children’s Bureaus’ Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM). Some of new polices center on separate poverty and neglect, expand support for the prevention services program, and prioritize kin and youth needs.

APHSA Events

WEBINAR: Learn How to THRIVE... Live!

This webinar will walk you through the various features that our Training Hub for Resources, Innovation, and Virtual Exchange (THRIVE) Learning Management System (LMS) has to offer. Learn how to navigate it, enroll in courses, access resources, and connect with peers via THRIVE online learning communities. Space is limited, and with the date approaching soon, be sure to sign up today!

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

Partner Events

VIDEO: Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0

The Prevention Services Clearinghouse have made available a recorded webinar on the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0. The webinar guides viewers through the sections of the handbook and highlights updates made to standards and procedures in this new version.

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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.