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Continue below for the latest developments in Washington impacting human services.

ACF Streamlines Guidance to Reduce Burden for Grant Recipients

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) completed a comprehensive review of its sub-regulatory guidance and rescinded approximately 74 percent of its guidance pages (35,781 pages) that were obsolete, duplicative, or no longer applicable. This effort significantly reduces the volume of material that accompanies federal grants. All rescinded documents have been archived and remain publicly accessible for transparency, and active guidance is now centralized and easier to navigate online.

New Federal Support for Modernizing Child Welfare Data Systems

The Children’s Bureau’s Child Welfare Technology Incubator is a new initiative designed to help state and Tribal agencies strengthen how they plan, govern, and sustain modern child welfare information systems. Through practical planning guidance, governance support, and tailored implementation assistance, the Incubator aims to ensure technology investments are aligned with frontline practice and long-term system needs. By helping jurisdictions build more responsive, efficient, and sustainable data systems, this effort intends to support stronger decision-making and improved outcomes for children, youth, and families.

USDA Seeks Public Comment on Nutrition Education Research Collection

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget to continue collecting research and feedback used to develop and improve nutrition education materials, tools, and grant programs. Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to submit comments on the proposed information collection by March 19, 2026.

SNAP QC Review Procedures for the November 2025 Active Sample

This afternoon, FNS sent a memo to states that provides guidance on variance exclusion and timeliness coding for November 2025 active SNAP QC cases. Of note, it shared:

• FNS will allow for a QC variance exclusion (hold harmless) for cases found in error in November 2025 due to an incorrect maximum allotment. Note that this will only apply if the household had only received a reduced benefit as of review date, and therefore any cases who were issued the full November allotment by November 30 would not be eligible for the variance exclusion.
• Details on how timeliness should be coded for November 2025.
• Reinforces that states should continue to sample and review November 2025 cases as normal.

APHSA submitted a letter in November 2025 highlighting the need for partnership between federal and state teams to address these matters.

USDA Announces Transfer of Two Washington, D.C. Facilities as Part of Broader Reorganization

USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced the transfer of the South Building and Braddock Place to the General Services Administration, marking the beginning of the Department’s larger reorganization plan.

USDA FNS Releases SNAP-Ed Closeout Questions and Answers Guidance

FNS published a set of Questions and Answers detailing procedures for SNAP-Ed grant closeout, including how state agencies should handle unexpended FY 2025 funds and related administrative requirements following the end of required SNAP-Ed funding under H.R. 1.

U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Interagency Partnerships

The U.S. Department of Education announced two new interagency agreements with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of State to reduce federal education bureaucracy, improve efficiency, and better serve students, schools, and families. The partnerships are intended to enhance foreign gift reporting transparency and strengthen family engagement and school support efforts. 

SAMHSA Awards $800 Million for Community Mental Health and Substance Use Programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the distribution of $794 million in grants to fund community mental health services and substance abuse treatment and prevention services across the United States and territories.

New ASPE Report Examines Administrative Cost Growth in Title IV-E Foster Care

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), part of HHS, released a new analysis of Title IV-E foster care spending. Between FY 2019 and FY 2023, average monthly administrative expenditures per child increased, reflecting growth in activities like training, eligibility determination, data systems, and documentation that states claim for federal reimbursement. The report highlights that administrative costs now account for a substantial share of Title IV-E foster care spending, pointing to the evolving nature of federal-state child welfare investment and the importance of understanding cost drivers as caseloads change.

New Toolkit to Strengthen Children’s Behavioral Health Through EPSDT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new State Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Toolkit focused on advancing children’s behavioral health services through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. The resource outlines strategies to help states improve early identification, expand access to medically necessary services, strengthen care coordination, and build workforce capacity, supporting more responsive, comprehensive care for children and youth enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.

House Introduces the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA), introduced H.R. 7567 last week. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the latest draft of a Farm Bill, proposes reforms and the continuation of key agricultural programs under USDA through FY 2031. The bill was originally scheduled to be marked up in Committee on February 23, but has been rescheduled to March 3 due to weather. Learn more in our summary of the Nutrition provisions.