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| Greetings NACHSA Members! |
House Holds TANF Hearing: The House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee held a hearing entitled Next Steps for Welfare Reform: Ideas to Improve Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to Help More Families Find Work and Escape Poverty. Subcommittee members focused on providing work opportunities to recipients and heard testimony that the program has moved away from providing cash assistance. Ranking member Doggett (D-TX) noted that, 'in some states TANF has become a social services slush fund'. TANF has been pending a reauthorization since 2010. Click here to read the testimony and here to watch the hearing.
House Passes Budget, Awaits Senate Action: The House has adopted the House-Senate budget agreement. The compromise resolution does not contain assumptions that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would be converted into a block grant. It does, however, assume hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to entitlement and discretionary programs over the next ten years, including the possible block granting of Medicaid. The bill also contains language assuming that the Affordable Care Act would be repealed. Once adopted by both chambers, the concurrent budget resolution will provide limits on taxes and spending that are enforceable by House and Senate rules. The budget is not a bill and does not go to the president for his signature.
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| Human Services Resources |
Feds Release WIOA Proposed Rules: On April 16, the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor published draft WIOA regulations to guide stakeholders in implementing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The public comment period for these regulations is open for 60 days, ending June 15, 2015. Final Rules implementing WIOA are not expected, however, until early 2016. The Center for Law and Social Policy has prepared a summary of what they view as key priorities within the proposed rules. Embedded in the summary are links to the regulations.
WIOA & New Priorities for Low-Income Individuals: WIOA requires priority be given to "public benefits recipients, other low-income individuals, and individuals who are basic skills deficient" when providing career and training services using WIOA Title I Adult funds. In Program Year 2013, just 48 percent of those receiving intensive or training services under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) were low-income. Moreover, only 27.5% were public benefits recipients, and only 3.8% were TANF cash assistance recipients. This paper from the Center for Law and Social Policy discusses the WIOA priority of service provision, briefly analyzes the recently released draft regulations, and makes six policy recommendations.
Reducing Inappropriate Psychotropics for Youth In Foster Care: From Health Affairs, this blog summarizes a number of key issues surrounding the high rates of psychotropic medication use and efforts by some states to address it.
GAO Outlines Changes in TANF: While the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant is the nation's major cash assistance program for low-income families with children, the Government Accountability Office reports that states increasingly use it as a flexible funding stream to support a broad range of services. GAO found that in FY 1997, states spent about 23% of TANF funds on services other than cash assistance, such as child welfare or child care. In FY 2013, the share of dollars spent on non-cash assistance increased to more than 66%. Read the report here.
Two-Generation Approach to TANF Webinar: HHS is conducting a webinar on Breaking the Poverty Cycle and Opening Doors to Opportunity for TANF Families: Developing a Two-Generation Approach. Scheduled for May 26 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET, the webinar will discuss the importance of policies and practices that equip parents and children with the income, tools, and skills needed to improve economic stability. It will showcase experts from the field who currently run two-generational approach programs that serve Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) populations and highlight promising practices. Speakers from the HHS Office of Family Assistance, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Community Action Project-Tulsa, and Utah Department of Workforce Services will describe their experiences and lessons learned. Click here to register and learn more.
Funding Opportunity: Assets for Independence (AFI) Demonstration Program: HHS is seeking application for the Assets for Independence (AFI) demonstration program. AFI enables community-based nonprofits and government agencies to implement asset building projects serving low-income individuals and their families. AFI grantees enroll participants to save earned income in special-purpose, matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Every dollar that a participant deposits into an AFI IDA is matched (from $1 to $8 in combined federal and non-federal funds) by the AFI project, promoting savings and enabling participants to acquire a lasting asset. Funds may be used to: purchase a first home; capitalize or expand a business for self-employment; or, fund post-secondary education or training. AFI grantees also assist participants in obtaining the skills and information necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The awards of up to $1 million cover a 5 year project period. Applications are due June 15. Learn more here. |
| Human Services Jobs |
San Benito County, Calif. is currently recruiting for a Deputy Director who will be responsible for the Departmental Support Division. Please apply by May 1, 2015.
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Tom Joseph
National Association of County Human Services Administrators
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