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Greetings NACHSA Members!
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In a surprising rebuke to the House Republican leadership, the House rejected the Farm Bill (H.R. 1947) yesterday by a vote of 234-195. Sixty-two Republicans voted against the measure. The bill contained over $20 billion in cuts over ten years to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by restricting the use of categorical eligibility determinations to only those households receiving cash benefits from federal and state welfare programs. It also would have limited the coordination of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and SNAP benefits (the Heat and Eat option).
According to federal estimates, up to two million low-income individuals would have lost their SNAP benefits under the House bill and, given the connection to the school lunch program, about 210,000 children would have lost eligibility for free meals. An additional 850,000 households would have seen their benefits cut by an average of $90 a month. Other harmful amendments were adopted on the floor, including giving states the option to drug test SNAP applicants and a permanent ban on certain ex-felons from receiving SNAP, including an administrative requirement that all households certify that none of the individuals living in the residence currently have been convicted of murder, rape or other similar crimes.
It is unclear whether there will be another attempt later in the year by the House to bring a revised bill to the floor. Many House Republicans wanted deeper cuts to SNAP than were in the bill, including cuts to SNAP-Ed, but those amendments were defeated as well during the debate. Since SNAP is an entitlement, the program's funding is not in doubt despite the lack of a bill. Nor will any of the above provisions become effective.
Earlier in the week, the House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on federal welfare and social services programs and their effectiveness. It was the first hearing in a series of three expected to be held. Click here to read the testimony.
And, the House of Representatives adopted, 394-27, the International Child Support Recovery Act (H.R. 1896) on June 18. The bill would implement the Hague Convention Treaty to improve the enforcement of child support cases where the non-custodial parent resides abroad. The House adopted a similar measure one year ago. House members urged the Senate to consider the bill.
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| Health Reform Resources | |
ACA Medicaid Expansion in the 50 States: This Families USA Infographic outlines whether states have adopted the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion and provides estimates on the number of individuals who will received coverage in each state.
Medicaid and SNAP Eligibility Streamlining: HHS has issued letter to states outlining streamlined enrollment processes for Medicaid and CHIP. It includes methods to identify and determine Medicaid eligibility for about seven million participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new state option allows states to identify those individuals under the Medicaid income Affordable Care Act eligibility threshold of 138 percent of the poverty line. Once those individuals are identified who are certain to be below that threshold would be quickly enrolled in Medicaid. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has posted two issue briefs on the process. A summary may be found here. A more detailed description may be read here.
California Health Care Marketplace Website Launched: Covered California's website is now available at http://www.coveredca.com/. It will serve as the portal to learn about and purchase private health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Additional materials will go online as the January 1, 2014 date approaches.
Millions Will Remain Uninsured Post ACA: About 30 million individuals will remain uninsured after the ACA is implemented. While that number is a lot smaller than the nearly 49 million without insurance now, it is clear that maintaining a strong safety net will critical. Click here to view charts on the uninsured from the Washington Post. The journal Health Affairs has posted a blog outlining the estimated number of uninsured individuals by state after the ACA is implemented.
Making Medicaid Work for Children in Child Welfare: In some states, child welfare, Medicaid, and behavioral health systems have worked collaboratively to "make Medicaid work" better for children in the child welfare services system. This new report from the Center for Health Care Strategies explores strategies used to improve care for the child welfare population in four states: AZ, MA, MI, and NJ .
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| Human Services Resources |
U.S Representatives Write States on Foster Care Restrictions: U.S. House Ways and Means Committee members have sent a letter to state child welfare agencies asking them review current restrictions that they may place on activities of children in foster care. The letter follows up on a hearing that focused on how some young people in foster care are unnecessarily limited in their daily and usual activities. The letter cites some of the limitations some states place on youth in care including basic teen activities such as dating, obtaining a drivers license, taking part in foster family vacations and sleeping over at a friend's house. The members welcomed information on what changes were being taken in their states to address the challenge.
USDA: 1 In 5 Households Are Food Insecure: In 2011, nearly 21 percent of households with children were food insecure. This report describes the extent and severity of child food insecurity by household characteristics.
The Business Case for Investing in Youth Aging Out of Foster Care: The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative launched Success Beyond 18 last month to guide public agencies and other stakeholders in extending foster care services beyond age 18. This brief outlines the estimated costs of failing to support youth in transition. , and to do it right-ensuring that young people in foster care are provided every chance for success in work, school, and family life.
Breadwinner Moms Continue to Increase: According to a Pew Research Center study of Census data, a record 40% of all households with children under the age of 18 include mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income for the family, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of Census data. The share was just 11% in 1960. Click here to read a NY Times story on the study.
The Reality of Payday Loans: Payday loans can seem like a responsible choice for borrowers who need cash but want to avoid getting into long-term debt. The reality can be very different, however. Two new videos from Pew follow the story of a typical payday loan customer who takes out a cash advance and has to borrow money from her parents to pay it back. Watch payday loans explained. Watch who uses them and why.
The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Child/Adolescent Well-Being: This two page brief from the National Children's Advocacy Center encapsulates the growing body of research showing how exposure to maltreatment or violence can disrupt the course of physical, emotional, and intellectual development in children and adolescents. A brief on the effects on adult health is found here.
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| Grant Availability | |
Federal Grants Available to Address Child Welfare and Youth Homelessness: Counties are eligible to apply to HHS for two-year planning grants to build the capacity of child welfare systems to prevent long-term homelessness among the most at-risk youth with child welfare involvement. The goal of the grants is to develop, refine, and test the core components of an intervention model targeting three groups of young people: 1) youth in child welfare who are the most at-risk of homelessness; 2) youth aging out of foster care; and 3) youth/young adults who are homeless and were involved with child welfare. Applications are due July 22.
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| Human Services Jobs | |
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is accepting applications for a Child Support Deputy Director. Applications are due July 9.
Trinity County, Calif. is accepting applications for Director of Health and Human Services. The closing date is July 5.
San Diego County, Calif. is accepting applications for an Assistant Deputy Director, Health & Human Services Agency.
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. |
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Tom Joseph
National Association of County Human Services Administrators
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