December 16, 2022

Hello Donna,

APHSA has launched a new microsite that highlights work done through the System Alignment for Young Families (SAYF) Project and provides resources to the field on intentionally aligning HHS programs to better serve young families. The SAYF microsite contains multiple examples that feature the work done to break down programmatic agency silos and introduces the voices of Parent Leaders. The SAYF project and the microsite are made possible with the generous funding and partnership of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Our newest episode in our podcast series Disrupt The Dialogue features the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO, Dannette Smith! Catch up on earlier episodes featuring BIPOC leaders in health and human services sharing their personal experiences and insights. Find us on your favorite streaming platform or listen on our podcast page.

TWIW will take a hiatus for next two weeks in line with Congress for the end of year holidays. Look for us in your inbox on January 6. In the meantime, we’ll keep you apprised of any important updates, and you can also stay up to date with us on Twitter. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!

Congress Passes One-Week Continuing Resolution

Late Thursday night, the Senate passed a week-long stopgap funding bill. The one-week Continuing Resolution avoids a partial shutdown of the government and gives Congress more time to pass a comprehensive omnibus spending bill that would fund federal agencies for fiscal year 2023. The new deadline to pass the omnibus is December 23.

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ACF Announces FY 2023 Funding for CSBG and SSBG

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released first quarter funding under the continuing resolution (CR) for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). The announcement also contains state allocations. 

CSBG Block Grant Funding

SSBG Block Grant Funding

CMS Releases Medicaid, CHIP Access Data Brief

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a brief focusing on mental health conditions and substance use disorders. CMS also announces in the brief that “Coverage and Access” will be one of the three domains of its proactive policy agenda for 2022-2024. The brief itself reflects the three key areas of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) access.



Read Brief

OCC Releases New Guide to Creating a Family-Friendly Child Care Assistance Application

The Office of Child Care (OCC) published a new guide to creating a family-friendly child care assistance application, and model child care and development fund (CCDF) application. OCC has prepared these guides for CCDF lead agencies to provide practical, actionable changes that states and territories can adopt now. The guides also include an end-to-end model child care assistance application that shows how all these best practices can fit together.

Guide to Creating Child Care Assistance Application

Guide to Model CCDF Application

CRS Has Released An Updated FAQ Guide About TANF

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released various frequently asked questions regarding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work requirements, unobligated TANF funds across the nation, states’ TANF spending categories, and maximum monthly benefits per state for a single parent caring for one child.

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Wisconsin is the First State Approved for P-EBT for School Year 2022-2023

Earlier this week, Wisconsin’s Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) plan was approved for school year 2022-2023. This plan includes school-aged children in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), virtual academies, and home schools, as well as children in child care.

Read Wisconsin’s State Plan

Read FNS’s Approval Letter & Summary of Plan

FNS Shares Reminders to SNAP Retailers on How to Prevent Skimming

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released guidance for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailers on how to prevent third party fraud via card skimming at their stores.

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USDA and SSA Announce Collaboration to Streamline Access to SNAP

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a strengthened partnership between the agencies to help streamline access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The partnership will support the SSA in completing and forwarding SNAP applications to the necessary state SNAP agency for approval.

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USDA Shares Updated Standard Utility Allowances

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) shared updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs).

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Advancing Social and Economic Mobility: A Report from the Next Generation of Human Services Organizations Second Cohort

A full suite of human services field-building tools and innovator resources are now available on a new website, delivering a framework with concrete action steps, insights, and ideas to help leaders as they work to amplify the agency, autonomy, and dignity of people, families, and communities. Co-created by The Kresge Foundation’s second National Next Generation initiative cohort and advisors led by Leadership for a Networked World at Harvard University.

Learn more

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