Congress is in session this week and here is what we are following. Read on for all the details and other happenings in Washington:
|
|
House Appropriators Move Forward with Labor-HHS-Education Bill
|
|
This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved spending limits for the fiscal year (FY) 2020 bills. Because this was a party-line vote, this could mean a difficult appropriations process this fall. The committee agreed to divide up the $1.295 trillion in discretionary spending for FY 2020, with the Labor-HHS-Education bill getting a 6.6% increased compared to this year. However, without a bipartisan deal on raising spending limits, the 2011 deficit reduction law would trigger across-the-board cuts of about 10% to discretionary spending (about $125 billion).
Meanwhile, in a push to pass all 12 FY 2020 appropriations bills by June, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill during a markup session on Wednesday. The committee had previously released the report to accompany the bill on Tuesday, which detailed the recommended spending for the departments.
|
|
Congresswomen Introduce Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act
|
|
This week, Congresswomen Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) introduce H.R. 2535,
the Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act
, which prohibits the use of federal funds to remove children from parents based on the parents being deemed guilty of neglect when their sole offense is that they are poor and need help caring for their children. When introducing this legislation, Congresswoman Moore said, "The condition of impoverishment should never be used as justification for tearing children from their parent's arms. Instead of separating children from their parents, we need to strengthen Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other essential programs that enable families to maintain basic living standards and stay together.”
|
|
Child and Family Well-Being
|
|
Living Far From School Hurts Children's Well-Being, New Study Finds
|
|
Long school commutes negatively affect children’s sleep and exercise, according to new research that studied more than 2,700 high school students’ morning commutes. The authors suggest that school policies—such as rural districts consolidating schools into larger ones, districts locating schools on city margins where real estate is cheaper, and school choice options that allow students to travel farther to attend public schools—contribute to long commutes, in addition to people having to move farther into the suburbs for affordable housing.
|
|
Housing Instability is Linked to Adverse Childhood Behavior
|
|
Housing instability can inhibit verbal abilities, stifle academic achievement and educational attainment, and increase the risk of chronic disease for children. Building on this evidence base, a recent study explored the effects of housing instability on young children’s behavior and suggests strategies that could bolster family stability, particularly in urban neighborhoods.
|
|
Employment and Economic Well-Being
|
|
Office of Management and Budget Seeks Public Comment on Changes That Would Redefine Poverty
|
|
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a notice of solicitation of comments on the differences among the various consumer price indexes produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and in particular how those differences might influence the estimation of the Official Poverty Measure (OPM) and other income measures produced by the Census Bureau. The notice states that, based on the comments received and internal discussions with experts, OMB will consider the need to update the specific inflation measure used to adjust the OPM.
Comments must be submitted in writing no later than Friday, June 21, 2019.
|
|
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Invites Comments on Proposed Information Collection for SNAP E&T
|
|
On Tuesday, May 7, The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published in the Federal Register a notice inviting public comments on a proposed information collection. The information collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection for annual outcome data for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) programs, as mandated by the Agricultural Act of 2014.
Written comments must be received on or before July 8, 2019.
|
|
The Urban Institute's
latest brief
highlights innovative strategies to address the complexities of shifting labor markets.
New technologies, evolving workforce demographics, shifting global demand, and related transformations in business models leave some workers in a precarious position. Urban
Institute identifies areas where new data and analytic tools would help advance bold ideas.
|
|
Request for Information Regarding State Relief and Empowerment Waivers
|
|
Last Friday, CMS and the Department of the Treasury released a Request for Information (RFI) regarding 1332 waivers. Section 1332 of the ACA permits a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver to pursue innovative strategies for providing their residents with access to higher value, more affordable health coverage. The Departments are seeking feedback and ideas on how states might take advantage of new flexibilities that were provided in 2018 guidance.
Comments to this RFI are due by July 2.
|
|
The Urban Institute, in partnership with today’s leading thinkers and doers, is exploring what knowledge is needed to fast-track promising solutions to achieve equity, upward mobility, and racial justice. Watch live as they explore the power of knowledge to advance promising ideas and bold solutions for equity and upward mobility. The Forum will spotlight technology’s power to create opportunity and equity and explore the role of business, activists, and the public sector in making change.
Wednesday, May 15 | 12:00 - 5:30 PM EST
|
|
From the Ground Up: Improving Child Care and Early
Learning Facilities
|
|
Please join the Bipartisan Policy Center
at an event to promote safe and developmentally-appropriate child care and early learning facilities. The event will explore the scope of the facilities problem, as well as opportunities for financing facility renovation and construction through community partnerships, capacity building, innovation, and philanthropic engagement.
Wednesday, May 22 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
Bipartisan Policy Center, 1225 Eye St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC
|
|
After the Fanfare: Family First One Year Later
|
|
Please join the American Enterprise Institute as a panel of experts explains how Family First is progressing around the country. One year has passed since the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act. This bipartisan legislation offered states the option to apply Title IV-E foster care funds toward preventive services intended to keep children in homes with their families. The legislation also placed a cap on the amount of federal funds that could be used to fund residential institutions for kids in foster care.
Thursday, May 23 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST
AEI, Auditorium, 1789 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC
|
|
Creating Affordable, Healthy Housing
|
|
This Urban Institute webinar will explore the connection between housing and health, with a focus on emerging research about pathways to improve health outcomes by reducing housing insecurity and improving quality and affordability. Broader social issues, including gentrification and displacement will also be discussed.
Wednesday, May 22 | 1:30 - 2:30 PM EST
|
|
Spring Webinar Series on Work Supports and Health
|
|
This spring, P4A’s
Research Hub
at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and the University of California, Berkeley, will host a series of three webinars on the impacts of work supports on health. The series will bring together researchers, advocates, and other stakeholders to discuss the evidence that work supports, such as paid family and medical leave, affect family health and well-being.
Work Supports to Improve Adult Health
Friday, May 31 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST
|
|
Peer Learning Opportunity - OCC's New Monitoring Process
|
|
Please join your NASCCA colleagues in a peer learning session on OCC’s new monitoring process from pilot states. Child Care Administrators will discuss their experience in preparing for the monitoring visit, what to expect when the monitoring team is on site, and follow up after the monitoring visit has concluded. We hope hearing from these early states will offer an opportunity for states in subsequent rounds.
Thursday, June 6 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST
|
|
APHSA National HHS Summit
|
|
APHSA is elevating critical policy discussions and providing an opportunity for collective conversations with the Administration and Congress for a shared path forward for a modern, responsive and effective human service system.
This year’s National Summit is designed to showcase transformation efforts underway across the nation focusing on:
- Operational Optimization
- Healthier Communities Through Prevention
- Policy and Practice Solutions for Family and Community Well-Being
- Equity
May 19 - 22 | Crystal Gateway Marriott, Alexandria, VA
|
|
APHSA Local Council Retreat
|
|
This year’s retreat will focus on localism in action by highlighting and uplifting the work that several counties are doing to “build well-being from the ground up.” This is an invitation only event reserved for local agency CEOs and their select staff.
June 19 - 21 | Hilton Charlotte Center City, Charlotte, NC
|
|
Housing Is Summit:
Building Partnerships Across Sectors
to Improve Life Outcomes
|
|
Join practitioners, researchers, and policymakers from the affordable housing, education, and healthcare sectors for this engaging two-day event with The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA). Highlighting the ways we can transform systems to better serve low-income people, the Summit will offer two days of plenary speakers/panels, breakout sessions, and caucus discussions devoted to intersectional thinking and opportunities for action. With keynote speaker David A. Williams of Opportunity Insights.
May 16 - May 17
|
|
Annual Convening: Essential Conversations on Human Services
|
|
The National Human Services Assembly is excited to offer a rich schedule of programming for their Annual Convening, including multiple learning sessions designed to drive important conversations. Additionally, there will be opportunities to network, time to engage with sponsors, and the election of the board and officers.
Tuesday, June 11 | 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM EST
FHI 360 Conference Center, 1825 Connecticut Ave., NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC
|
|
|
|
APHSA Career Center - Post Your Open Positions Today
APHSA serves as a clearinghouse for job opportunities throughout the health and human services (H/HS) field. Employers reach a wide audience of candidates looking for careers in H/HS and job seekers will find a bevy of opportunities throughout the country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
