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Greetings NACHSA Members! |
SNAP changes in the farm bill are the focus of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees this week.
The Senate Agriculture Committee completed action on its bill earlier today. It contains a $4 billion cut over ten years to the 'heat and eat' benefit which coordinates benefit eligibility for SNAP with when an individual receives a small Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefit. Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) offered and withdrew an amendment to restore the cut and will likely offer it on the floor when the bill is considered by the full Senate.
Other amendments that would also have the effect of reducing the number of individuals eligible for SNAP were offered and either defeated or withdrawn until the floor debate. Sen. Johanns (R-Neb.) offered an amendment which was rejected by voice vote to restrict the use of SNAP categorical eligibility determinations to only those families receiving cash benefits. Forty states use the current categorical eligibility rules.
The House bill (H.R. 1947) will be considered by the Agriculture Committee tomorrow. It contains a much deeper cut to SNAP ($21 billion). The largest savings would be generated by restricting the LIHEAP heat and eat benefit more than the Senate measure would and by restricting categorical eligibility, saving about $11 billion over ten years.
House Holds Child Welfare Hearing: Last week, the House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on child welfare. The Subcommittee reviewed state safety and liability policies and practices that limit opportunities for foster youth to engage in every day activities their peers are able to enjoy. Florida was the example of a state's effort to allow foster parents and foster youth to make reasonable decisions about the youth's participation in everyday events and activities. Testimony and a link to the hearing may be found here.
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| Health Reform Resources | |
Medicaid Primer: Updated last week, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has issued this six-page primer on Medicaid. It encapsulates key facts on enrollment, spending and eligibility.
States and ACA Medicaid Expansion: Will they or won't they? As of May 1, 16 states have approved expanding Medicaid under health reform on or are headed in that direction, 27 have rejected it or about to and seven states could still go either way. Click here to view the Stateline chart on state expansion decisions.
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| Human Services Resources | |
Almanac of Family Homelessness Released: The Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness (ICPH) released the American Almanac of Family Homelessness, which provides a comprehensive state-by-state analysis on family homelessness statistics, policies, and programming. In a single, comprehensive resource, the Almanac analyzes key issues surrounding homelessness among families with children, highlights successful programs and practices at the state and local levels, and features groundbreaking initiatives from across the country.
New Casey Foster Care Initiative Launched: Last week, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative launched Success Beyond 18, a national campaign to create a better path for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Based upon research and our experience working with young people across the country, Success Beyond 18 guides states in their efforts to extend foster care services beyond age 18, and to do it right-ensuring that young people in foster care are provided every chance for success in work, school, and family life.
Working with Youth on a Transition Plan: This HHS brief provides information on federal requirements and state examples of transition plans to help child welfare professionals and others who work with transitioning youth to develop a plan that builds on a youth's strengths and supports their needs. (8 pp.)
Foster Care Stats 2011: This HHS brief provides the most recent national statistical estimates for children in foster care in fiscal year (FY) 2011 and also provides earlier data from FY 2001 to show trends over time. Data were obtained from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). The factsheet provides statistics on number of children in foster care and entering and exiting care and includes information on child characteristics, placement goals and settings, length of stay, and outcomes. (12 pp.)
Sibling Issues in Foster Care and Adoption: Published by HHS, this brief explores research, intervention strategies, and resources to assist professionals in preserving connections among siblings when one or more are adopted or in foster care. (21 pp.)
Enhancing Permanency for Youth in Out-of-Home Care: Posted this month,this HHS bulletin addresses the specific challenges of permanency planning with youth and highlights successful models and strategies. It reviews background statistics and research on outcomes for youth who leave foster care without a permanent family and highlights Federal legislation enacted to improve these outcomes. Examples of programs across the country using these strategies are included. (18 pp.)
Paths to Permanence: Kin Guardianship and Adoption: This month's Adoption Advocate highlights the benefits of kin guardianship arrangements. (10 pp.)
State Baby Facts: Zero to Three has issued this series of factsheets for each of the 50 states provide information for early childhood professionals and policymakers about the status of infants, toddlers, and families in their state.
Sharp Increase Seen in Out-of-Wedlock Births: Recent statistics released by Census may have a significant impact on social services in the coming years. While teen pregnancy has declined 42% since its peak in 1990 and is now at a nearly 40-year low, according to
CDC data -- more than six out of 10 women who give birth in their early 20s are unmarried according to a recent Census Bureau report. Sharp discrepancies in single mothers are shown related to income, education and race. Single motherhood has accelerated in recent years. The birth rate for unmarried women in 2007 was up 80 percent in the almost three decades since 1980. But in the previous five years alone, between 2002 and 2007, it was up 20 percent. Overall, 36 percent of all births in the United States were to unmarried mothers in 2011.
Meeting Mental Health Needs Through Medicaid: Last week, the federal agencies funding Medicaid and mental health services issued a joint Informational Bulletin intended to assist states to design a benefit that will meet the needs of children, youth, and young adults with significant mental health conditions. The 11-page document outlines a number of initiatives within states that are not only clinically-effective but cost-effective too.
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| Human Services Jobs | The Los Angeles County, Calif. Department of Children and Family Services is searching for an Administrative Deputy.
The Los Angeles County, Calif. Department of Public Social Services has an opening for their Assistant Director of Public Social Services. Santa Clara County, Calif. has an opening for their Director of Employment and Benefits Services. El Dorado County, Calif. is recruiting for its Director of Health and Human Services. The closing date is May 27.
Trempealeau County, Wisc. is accepting applications for a Human Services Director. The closing date is June 7.
Rio Blanco County, Colo. is seeking qualified applicants for its Director of Human Services. Applications are due May 31.
Kern County, Calif. is recruiting for its Director of Human Services. Applications are due May 24. Ramsey County, Minn. is searching for a new Director of Administration in its Community Human Services Department. |
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Tom Joseph
National Association of County Human Services Administrators
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