December 7, 2018
Greetings!
" I do not mistrust the future. I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger. Our  challenges  are great, but our will is greater .” - George H. W. Bush
Funeral events honoring former President Bush put a bit of a pause on congressional activities this week. Let's take a look at where things stand as we approach a new week...
The Latest from the Administration & Congress
Appropriations Update
Yesterday, Congress quickly decided to extend the funding deadline for the seven remaining 2019 fiscal year spending bills that have not yet been signed into law. The resolution ( H.J. Res. 143 ) pushes the funding deadline from December 7 (today) to December 21, keeping lawmakers in session for an additional week during lame-duck session.

Congress must now pass the remaining spending bills and the President must sign the bills into law before the new deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown. Of course, another continuing resolution could be passed if the December 21 deadline is not met, but that would punt these bills to the members of the new Congress to negotiate and pass.
SNAP and TANF Update
While members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee continue to give reassurances that a compromise has been reached, no official bill language has been released yet, nor has a timeline for passing the Farm Bill been announced. Reauthorization of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical component of the Farm Bill and was a major area of contention. The text of the bill is expected to be released next week.

Meanwhile, there has been no official movement of The Promoting Employment and Economic Mobility Act , the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reauthorization bill that was introduced last week ( click here for a summary of the bill that was included in last week’s issue of TWIW). The continuing resolution approved by Congress this week includes a two-week extension for the TANF program. 
Family First Guidance
The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau issued two important Program Instructions related to the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Implementation.  ACYF-CB-PI-18-09: State Requirements for Electing the Title IV-E Prevention and Family Services and Programs provides instructions on the requirements state title IV-E agencies must meet when electing to provide title IV-E prevention and family services and programs, including a preliminary list of evidence-based prevention programs identified as “well-supported," additional context on the role of the Clearinghouse, guidance on financing prevention services including state maintenance of effort and federal financial participation calculations, and instructions related to state plan submissions. At the time of publication, these documents are not yet available on ACF’s website but should be made public soon.
ACYF-CB-PI-18-11: Requirements for Participating in the Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program . FFPSA allows title IV-E agencies to receive funding for kinship navigator programs that meet certain criteria. Title IV-E agencies may claim 50 percent federal financial participation for allowable kinship navigator program costs beginning no earlier than October 1, 2018. The above program instruction provides information on how title IV-E agencies may participate in this new program.
Reports & Resources
Announcements
Reminder! This Monday: Deadline for Public Comment on Proposed Rule on Public Charge
In early October, the Department of Homeland Security released a proposed rule that would expand the list of programs and factors that may be considered by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) when determining whether some immigrants seeking entry to the Unites States or an adjustment of status is likely to become a “public charge.” APHSA is currently finalizing its letter opposing the proposed rule. The deadline for submitting public comments on the NPRM is Monday, December 10 .

APHSA’s original report on the notice of proposed rulemaking can be found here . View the full proposed rule here .
2Gen Strategies in Refugee Integration Webinar
Next Thursday, December 13 at 1:00 pm EST join Migration Policy Institute researchers for a webinar exploring promising practices to better serve refugee families, including innovative efforts to secure better jobs for adult refugees over time. In a conversation with state refugee coordinators, the potential for implementing and supporting two-generation approaches to refugee integration at a time when the system’s funding and capacity are in peril will also be discussed.
Data Exchange Standards for Improved Interoperability
Last month, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF), released a Request for Comments, entitled Data Exchange Standards for Improved Interoperability of Multiple Human Service Programs . OPRE is soliciting comments from interested parties on setting standards for data exchanges that affect the SSA Title IV programs for child welfare and foster care (title IV–B and IV–E), child support (title IV–D), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, title IV–A), but are also interested in receiving input affecting additional programs. Comments are due by January 7, 2019 .
NextGen Funding Opportunity
This week, the Human Services Program at the Kresge Foundation announced a new funding and learning opportunity as part of its Next Generation (NextGen) Initiative, now in its second year. As part of this initiative, Kresge will invest in those nonprofit organizations and public agencies working to advance the social and economic mobility of families. Proposals are due by January 15, 2019 . Click here to learn more.
Statewide Data Indicators for Child and Family Services Reviews
Last week, the Children’s Bureau (CB) within the Department of Health and Human Services released a Request for Comments, entitled Statewide Data Indicators for Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR). The CB is seeking comments, in particular from state child welfare agencies and partner organizations, on the revised syntax and recommendations to strengthen the statistical calculations for generating CFSR statewide data indicator performance information. Comments are due by February 25, 2019 .