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| Greetings NACHSA Members! |
Federal Update: Congress has returned for a lame duck session. Foremost on their legislative list is completing the FY 2015 appropriations measures to extend appropriations for all federal agencies and programs. Democratic and Republican leadership have indicated that they intend to craft an omnibus bill before the December 11 deadline which contains funding at current levels for all programs. While such an approach means that there will not be any cuts to programs such as the Community Services Block Grant and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, it also means that there will not be any funding for new initiatives, including adult protective services authorized in the Elder Justice Act.
Given the GOP sweep in last week's elections, House and Senate leadership will spend a lot of time during the remainder of this year staking out legislative priorities for the new Congress.
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| Health Reform Resources |
Answers to ACA Questions: ON the eve of the second open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act, the Kaiser Family Foundation released an updated collection of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) providing detailed answers for consumers, and the navigators and brokers who assist them. The searchable collection includes nearly 300 up-to-date responses, answering new questions about plan renewal, cancellations, and continuing financial assistance. The FAQs also offer guidance for understanding 2014 federal income taxes in the context of the health law, addressing potential penalties for not obtaining coverage, exemptions to the individual mandate, and other subjects. Answers have been updated to key questions about how the law applies to the marketplace and Medicaid eligibility, and offers guidance for immigrants, people with variable incomes and others in special situations.
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| Human Services Resources |
States' Use of EBT Cards: This report from the National Conference of State Legislatures found that at least 37 states issue Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. At least 23 states have passed laws placing restrictions or prohibitions on their use. In 2012, the federal law required that states prohibit EBT card use in liquor stores, gaming or gambling establishments or adult entertainment venues or they could face financial penalties. View this table to see the states that have passed laws placing restrictions or prohibitions on the use of the EBT cards.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: What it Means for Human Services Programs: HHS and the Departments of Labor and Education are conducting a webinar on Thursday, November 20 from 3 pm - 4 pm ET to describe the implications of the recently reauthorized Workforce Act on programs such as TANF, foster care, runaway and homeless youth and the Community Services Block Grant. Click here to register.
States' TANF Cash Assistance Caseloads: Prepared for Congress, this CRS report outlines the dramatic drop in the number of families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance since the enactment of welfare reform in 1996. It also contains a state-by-state chart on cash assistance caseload by type of family.
HHS Issues Memo on Runaway Foster Youth: Last year, about 4,500 foster youth ran away from their placement. They are particularly vulnerable to homelessness and sex trafficking. Following up on the recent child welfare and sex trafficking legislation enacted into law, HHS has issued an Information Memorandum outlining the new requirements child welfare agencies must undertake to identify and serve this population, including coordination with runaway and homeless youth providers.
State Child Welfare Performance: HHS recently submitted this report to Congress with information on state performance in seven child welfare outcome categories. Outcomes data are listed for each state. An executive summary may be read here.
Child Welfare and Health Collaboration: The latest SPARC brief, Improving Child Well-Being: Strengthening Collaboration Between the Child Welfare and Health Care Systems is intended to serve as a resource for states and counties working to strengthen collaborations between health providers and the continuum of child welfare services. Part I describes the national policy context related to the promotion of child health and well-being by the child welfare system. Part II examines promising and proven collaborative models related to the reporting and investigation of child maltreatment and the ongoing provision of child welfare services to children and families. Finally, Part III concludes with a discussion about future directions for partnerships between child welfare and health care systems.
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| Human Services Jobs |
Placer County, Calif. is seeking a highly skilled professional for the position of Director of Human Services. Please apply by November 21.
Snohomish County, Washington, invites applications for the position of Human Services Director. Please apply by November 30.
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Tom Joseph
National Association of County Human Services Administrators
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