May 18, 2018
Major TANF Reform Bill Introduced in the House
Yesterday, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Human Resources Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced H.R. 5861 – The Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) for Success Act , which reauthorizes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and related programs at current funding levels for five years. The bill also extends authorization for child care entitlement funding for five years at an increased level of $3.5 billion annually. 
House Rules Committee Dedicates Two Days to Farm Bill
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Rules held a general debate on H.R. 2 – The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). Much of the debate centered on provisions in the bill related to the reauthorization of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), particularly those relating to expanded work requirements for SNAP participants. A video of the debate can be viewed here .

The House Committee on Rules met again on Wednesday afternoon to consider more than 100 amendments to the Farm Bill, a large portion of which deal with SNAP. A list of the amendments can be found here and a video of Wednesday’s hearing can be viewed here . 

APHSA's analysis and response to the Farm Bill can be viewed here .
Eliminating Pregnancy-Related Deaths in America
This week, Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Gene Green (D-TX) requested a public hearing that would focus on the rising death rates for pregnant women in the U.S. and discuss possible solutions. It's been reported that the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the issue after the committee finishes its work on legislation to combat the opioid crisis.
Opioid Updates
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee deferred planned votes on a group of opioid enforcement bills. The committee's meeting agenda for next week now includes bills addressing drug disposal and analogue labeling, controlled substance quotas, enforcement, and opioid diversion.
Reports & Resources
Increase in Child Care Funding
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the fiscal year (FY) 2018 allocations under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) which include three funding streams: discretionary, mandatory, and matching. The discretionary portion, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), received an 83% increase in funding in FY 2018.
Localism in America
The American Enterprise Institute's Localism in America  compilation of essays brings together an eclectic and ideologically diverse group of thinkers to examine various aspects of local governance and problem-solving.
APHSA's Collaborative Centers
Check out our other specially focused newsletters brought to you by our National Collaborative for Integration of Health and Human Services (National Collaborative) and our Center for Employment and Economic Well-Being (CEEWB)!
Announcements
ISM Awards and Fellowships Now Open
IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM), an affinity group of APHSA, is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Recognition Awards for Excellence in Human Services Information Technology. Any organization may submit a nomination and there is no limit to the number of nominations; however, a separate entry for each nomination must be submitted no later than Monday, June 25 .
ISM is also now accepting applications for fellowships to the 2018 ISM Conference being held September 16-19 in Seattle, WA. Both full and partial travel fellowships are available to state and local government employees. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, June 29.
Practical Solutions that Lift Up Children and Families
Ascend is proud to feature and host state and local leaders from around the country to release the timely publication  States Leading the Way: Practical Solutions that Lift Up Children and Families . The forum, being held Thursday, June 14 at the Aspen Institute office in Washington, DC, will lift up the most promising, actionable solutions from seven states that can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty for families in the U.S.