Late last week, the Senate passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package (text; summary). The 2700 page bill combines 12 appropriations bills and will fund the federal government through the end of its fiscal year in September 2022. $14 billion in aid for Ukraine was included in the bill, along with increases in non-defense and defense programs. A $15.6 billion COVID response provision was dropped from the bill and Democrats will try to move standalone legislation this week. Republican lawmakers oppose additional COVID-19 aid that will increase the deficit. To break a filibuster, 10 GOP senators must vote for the bill. Notably, this bill marks the return of “earmarks” in which members of congress can earmark appropriations funding for specific projects in their home states.

Key Appointments to President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

In follow up to the President’s State of the Union Address, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Becerra kicked off a National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health. The Secretary began the tour in New Hampshire and will travel the country to hear directly from Americans across the country about the mental health challenges they're facing, and engage with local leaders to strengthen the mental health and crisis care systems in our communities. Additionally, HHS through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of Minority Health (OMH), announced nearly $35 million in funding opportunities to strengthen and expand community mental health services and suicide prevention programs for America’s children and young adults. Information and links available HERE.

NOTE for F2Fs: Follow the Secretary and National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health over the next 5 months HERE. Check out if/when he will be at a stop near you so you can educate about the mental health needs of children and families in your state.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) recently announced the publication of Federal Register Notices to seek nominations for two family caregiving-related advisory councils. Nominations must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m., Eastern on April 11, 2022 to be considered for appointment. See links for more information below.

Authorized by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-119) – commonly referred to as the “RAISE Family Caregivers Act” – the Family Caregiving Advisory Council will support the preparation of updates to the Initial Report to Congress that will be released every other year. These updates may include new developments, challenges, opportunities, and solutions to better recognize and support family caregivers, along with recommendations to update and improve the National Family Caregiving Strategy.

Up to 15 non-federal voting members from the following groups will be appointed for three-year terms: family caregivers; older adults who need long-term services and supports; individuals with disabilities; health care and social service providers; providers of long-term services and supports; employers; paraprofessional workers; state and local officials; accreditation bodies; veterans; and as appropriate, other experts and advocates engaged in family caregiving. Those selected to serve on the Advisory Council will reflect the diversity of family caregivers and those persons receiving services and support. Nominations are sought from individuals representing the aging and disability communities, tribes, racial and ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other underrepresented and underserved populations.

Marking the anniversary on March 11^th, 2022, HHS Secretary Becerra and HHS leaders offer statements and outline the extent of the investment provided through this plan.

Joint Inaugural Meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters (NACSD) and the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters (NACIDD) March 30, 2022, 1-3:30 pm EST. Information and registration HERE.

This blog post by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shares some very interesting data about how effective sharing a story is in advocacy. Storytelling can be a powerful tool to increase support for policies; but, depending on the audience, it can also have the opposite effect. The results may surprise you…

As the CDC guidelines have loosened in the past few weeks and mask mandates are lifted, the chronic illness and disability communities have been vocal in a variety of ways voicing concern that the changes put them at even greater risk and leave them behind.

To mark the second anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, First Focus on Children invites you to reflect on this moment and the impact the pandemic has had on children over the past two years with a series of live, virtual conversations throughout the months of March and April 2022.

Register Here - Those who register will receive a recording of the presentation (even if they were unable to attend) and copies of any slides used by the presenters.

Expert panel will include:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are seeking input from stakeholders to inform the development of a comprehensive access strategy for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Your input will help CMS address barriers to enrollment and access to care. It also will help CMS ensure timely access to critical services, such as behavioral health care and home and community-based services. CMS is interested in hearing from a wide range of stakeholders, including people using Medicaid services. Comments can be submitted online until April 18.

NOTE: Commenters are encouraged to preview CMS’ questions related to each objective before submitting feedback as you can simply fill in the form and provides comments for questions most applicable to you.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would define the criteria used to determine whether a person likely to become a “public charge,” or primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, for purposes of determining eligibility for a visa and/or legal residency. The proposed rule contains several provisions that directly affect people with disabilities. Comments may be submitted until April 25, 2022. This Administration for Community Living (ACL) blog post from March 7 provides information and background.

CDC has revised its developmental milestones to help parents, health care providers, and early childhood professionals identify children with developmental disabilities at younger ages and connect them earlier to the interventions that have been shown to improve outcomes.

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Family Voices is a national organization and grassroots network of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities that promotes partnership with families--including those of cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity--in order to improve healthcare services and policies for children.