September 4, 2020
Greetings!
Before you head into the long holiday weekend, we wanted to share the below summaries and announcements. We'll continue to keep you updated on current events on twitter, our blog, and you can also continue to access our COVID-19 related resources including our policy analysis and a collection of federal guidance here. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Child and Family Well-Being
Children’s Bureau Releases CFSR Technical Bulletin

Last Wednesday, the Children’s Bureau published a technical bulletin announcing the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Round 4 reviews, which includes changes to the review process and information on the scheduling of reviews. The Children's Bureau will provide future guidance and hold calls with states to share more information about the process and procedures before the start of the reviews.
MACPAC Issues Letter to HHS on COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Last week, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) issued a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging HHS to give Medicaid programs advanced notice as to when the public health emergency will end and to issue clear guidance on what is required to return to normal operations.
Rep. Bass Introduces Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020

On Monday, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA), co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, introduced the bipartisan Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020, which will strengthen dental coverage under the Medicaid program for foster youth by increasing eligibility, providing incentives for dental providers, enhancing outreach efforts for enrollment, and protecting existing coverage for foster youth.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
USDA Extends Summer Meals Waivers Through 2020

After calls for waiver extensions from the Senate Agriculture and the House Education and Labor Committees, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) extended summer meal flexibilities through December 31, 2020. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) waivers allow meals to be served in all areas at no cost without requiring certain eligibility for children.
OFA Publishes TANF Work Participation Rate and Caseload Data

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) released FY 2019 work participation data for state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs. Data show the majority of state programs met both the required work participation rates and two parent household work participation rate for FY 2019 (the overall national work participation rate was 47.1%, and the overall two parent household work participation rate was 54.8%). Additionally, OFA released 2019 TANF caseload data earlier in August. The data shows an average national caseload for FY 2019 of 916,593.

$8.7 Million Awarded to Develop Responsible Parenting and Economic Mobility Interventions for Teens and Young Adults

The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded $8.7 million to eight child support agencies to develop programs that educate teens and young adults about the financial, legal, and emotional responsibilities of parenthood. The agencies will collaborate with youth centered systems to integrate child support and responsible parenting education within systems such as foster care transition services, juvenile justice agencies and community colleges.
FEMA Issues Guidance on Lost Wage Assistance Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued guidance on the Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) program, the new unemployment program created through President Trump’s recent executive order. The FEMA guidance outlines the required documents states need to submit for grant requests, program reporting requirements, and other resources. Grants under the LWA program are administered through a partnership between FEMA and the Department of Labor (DOL). As of September 1st, 45 states’ applications for grants were approved.

CDC Releases Order Halting Evictions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released an order to temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The order is effective through December 31, 2020. 
Latest FNS Research

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released their most recent research regarding computer matching protocols for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP participation rates, Child Nutrition administrative expense formulas, administrative review process in school meal programs, and administrative review and training grants in the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.

Iowa Approved for D-SNAP

In response to the derecho storm in Iowa, the state has been approved to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). The program provides additional benefits to SNAP participants in an attempt to mitigate effects of the disaster on their food access. D-SNAP provides increase SNAP benefits, ability to purchase hot/prepared foods from grocery stores, and more.
Upcoming Webinars & Events
APHSA Leadership Corner Series: Conversations to Spark Inspiration and Innovation

Join us virtually for our next session — Racial Healing and Equity, featuring award-winning social change agent Gail Christopher, D.N. This session will present insight and resources to help leaders translate declarations of support for racial equity and related calls for action into sustainable engagement and organizational change strategies. We will explore skills and capacities required for racial healing and transformation, and the research that informs these approaches. This will help leaders navigate tensions and expand circles of engagement needed to move forward together during times of rising fear, division and polarization. This session is about believing in and creating the “we.”

If you missed our inaugural event on August 19: "Leading Courageously in Crisis: Rules of the Road," featuring Author and Historian, Nancy Koehn, you can access it here.

Wednesday, September 9, 1:00-2:15 PM EDT
Webinar - Then and Now: How to Use New Census Surveys About Poverty, Income, and Health from 2019 and 2020

Join the Coalition on Human Needs, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Food Research & Action Center, and the Partnership for America’s Children to prepare for the Census Bureau release of its annual poverty, income, and health insurance statistics for 2019. This webinar will prepare you for what we’ll learn about 2019, how to get and use the data for your state or city, and how it compares to new data showing alarming numbers of households with less earnings, going without food, falling behind in rent, and lacking health insurance.
 
Wednesday, September 9, 3:30-5:00 PM EDT
APHSA Webinar - Helping Clients Access Their Economic Impact Payments (EIPs)

Join us along with the National Association of Counties (NACo) for a webinar highlighting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Helping Consumers Claim their Economic Impact Payment, a guide for intermediary organizations which provides tools and training to help identify and connect with individuals eligible for Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, consumers started to see some financial relief when they received EIPs issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This webinar will be geared towards staff on the front lines interacting with clients and partner organizations and will include a Q&A with CFPB staff.

Thursday, September 10, 1:00-2:00 PM EDT
APHSA Career Center - Post Your Open Positions Today

APHSA serves as a clearinghouse for job opportunities throughout the health and human services (H/HS) field. Employers reach a wide audience of candidates looking for careers in H/HS and job seekers will find a bevy of opportunities throughout the country.