June 7, 2019
Greetings!
Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in our recent APHSA National Health & Human Services Summit. If you missed it, you can follow up on some of the conversation at the event via Twitter: #APHSASummit19 or on our conference website . Congress returned from a holiday recess and had a busy week passing and introducing HHS-related bills.
Legislative Update
TANF Extension Bill Passes in the House of Representatives
Two weeks ago, Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced HR 2940 in the House of Representatives. HR 2940 is a bipartisan bill extending the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and related programs through September 30, 2019. The program is currently set to expire on June 30, 2019. HR 2940 extends TANF without making any reforms. This Monday, June 3, the House passed HR 2940 by roll call vote, 357-55, under suspension of the rules. The bill has been sent to the Senate where it must pass before June 30 to avoid a gap in funding.
Bill to Repeal SNAP ABAWD Work Requirements Introduced in the House of Representatives
On May 16, Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced HR 2809 – The Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2019. The bill would amend the Food Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal work requirements that disqualify able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) for eligibility to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, ABAWDs can only receive SNAP benefits for 3 months in 3 years if they do not meet certain work requirements. The bill was referred to the House Agriculture Committee.
Bill to Allow Purchase of Certain Dietary Supplements with SNAP Benefits Introduced in Senate
On Wednesday, June 5, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema
(D-AZ) introduced S 1717. The bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make certain multivitamin-mineral dietary supplements eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill was referred to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
Child and Family Well-Being
Child Care and Development Fund Report Released by GAO
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The report reviewed use of funding by states that included plans for the recent funding increases, which included doubling the fund in 2018 to $5.2 billion.
Refugee Social Services Formula Grants Suspended
On May 31, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced it is suspending federal obligations due to the increase of unaccompanied migrant children at the U.S. border and will be unable to provide funds for the Refugee Social Services (RSS) formula grants. Funds provided in the first and second quarter may continue to be used to provide services during this time. A supplemental appropriation of $2.88 billion has been requested by the Administration. Obligation of the RSS grants will continue once Congress acts.
New Maternal Health Grant Funding Opportunity
Late last week, the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) released two Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) including the 2019 State Maternal Health Innovation (State MHI) Program (HRSA-19-107) and the Supporting Maternal Health Innovation (Supporting MHI) Program (HRSA-19-106).
Employment and Economic Well-Being
USDA’s New GIS-Based Media Tool
USDA, along with federal partners have developed a new media tool that is the only one of its kind in the nation. This tool allows users to identify and create media distribution lists for news outlets that cover geographic area s of any shape or size .  While tools available via the private sector today require us to search for the locations where media are located, this system allows you to select the location of the people you want to reach, and the system automatically identifies which media outlets provide news to them and produces a distribution list for those outlets.
The Alternative: Creating Upward Mobility by Tapping the Talents of the People Themselves
American Enterprise Institute (AEI) shares new research with a report based on Mauricio Miller's book: The Alternative: Most of What You Believe About Poverty Is Wrong . The report discusses developing an alternative antipoverty system that helps low-income families and communities by focusing not just on need but on their talents.
Healthcare
Utah Proposes Medicaid Spending Cap
Utah issued a Section 1115 Demonstration Request on May 31 asking for the enhanced matching rate of 90% for the partial expansion of Medicaid to cover adults up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). States are required to expand the Medicaid coverage to 138% of the FPL to qualify for the enhanced 90% matching rate. No other state has achieved the enhanced matching rate unless the state has fully expanded Medicaid.
Upcoming Events
Evidence Works: Cases Where Evidence Meaningfully Informed Policy
Please join the Bipartisan Policy Center for the launch of Evidence Works, where they will present a collection of case studies that highlight the many approaches to using evidence, the different types of information that can be relevant, and the challenges faced in the real world. A live webcast is also available.

Tuesday, June 11 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Bipartisan Policy Center, 1225 Eye St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC
Upcoming Webinars
Pathways to High-Quality Jobs for Young Adults
The Self-Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse (SSRC) will host a webinar exploring job quality for young adults, including the ways in which interventions and policies can support youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain higher quality jobs.

June 12, 2:00–3:30 PM EST
Upcoming Conferences
APHSA Local HHS Executives Retreat
This year’s retreat will focus on localism in action by highlighting and uplifting the work that several counties are doing to “build well-being from the ground up.” This is an invitation only event reserved for local agency CEOs and their select staff.

June 19 - 21 | Hilton Charlotte Center City, Charlotte, NC
Annual Convening: Essential Conversations on Human Services
The National Human Services Assembly is excited to offer a rich schedule of programming for their Annual Convening, including multiple learning sessions featuring young people’s learning and development and grassroots advocacy campaigns. Additionally, there will be opportunities to network, time to engage with sponsors, and the election of the board and officers.

Tuesday, June 11 | 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM EST
FHI 360 Conference Center, 1825 Connecticut Ave., NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC
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.