March 23, 2018
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Greetings!
Funding for FY 2018 is now completed but still awaits the President's signature at this time. If all goes as planned, Congress will take a two-week break so look for us to return to your inbox on Friday, April 13. Until then, stay in touch through our website and Twitter!
The Latest...
Congress Passes $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill
After months of debate, several continuing resolutions (CR) and government shutdowns, Congress has approved an omnibus bill that will fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year which will end on September 30, 2018.

This bill contains the largest increase in federal spending in years with defense reported to receive an increase of $66 billion over 2017 levels and non-defense discretionary programs receiving an increase of $52 billion over the previous year. The bill makes significant investments in health and human services programs including increases of $2.55 billion to address the opioid epidemic and $1.4 billion to expand substance abuse and mental health services. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will see $28 billion, which is $4 billion more than last year, with almost $3 billion going to early childhood programs including significant investments in child care, child development, and early childhood education. The Child Care and Development Block Grant is funded at $5.2 billion which is an increase of $2.4 billion. 

With the bill still needing the President's signature before becoming official, we are continuing to monitor this process and will provide updates if necessary.
President Trump’s Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand
On Monday, the Administration released its opioid strategy . This strategy has three categories: education and safe prescription practices; initiatives to crack down on international and domestic illicit drug supply chains; and evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. As highlighted in the initiative, the Administration will seek legislative changes to the law prohibiting Medicaid from reimbursing residential treatment at certain facilities with more than 16 beds (i.e., the “IMD Exclusion”).

As discussed above, the omnibus spending bill contains a proposed $4 billion total to fight the opioid crisis. The funding - for prevention, treatment, and law enforcement - is spread across agencies including HHS, Homeland Security, Justice and Veterans Affairs. 
AFCARS Federal Register Notifications
The Children’s Bureau published a proposal in the Federal Register to delay the compliance and effective dates in the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) 2016 final rule for title IV-E agencies to comply with agency rules for an additional two fiscal years in the Federal Register. Comments on this proposed rule are due on April 16, 2018 .  
Additional Deadline Reminders
Reports & Resources
Housing as a Hub for Health, Community Services, and Upward Mobility
The latest report from the Brookings Institution touches on the beneficial role of housing-based strategies and partnerships in a variety of sectors, including health, education, and social services. With hundreds of links to examples and publications cited throughout the report, it serves as a valuable resource for further investigation and provides a series of actionable recommendations for all levels of government and the private sector.
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
Deadline Extended! NSDTA Call for Proposals
The National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) is accepting proposals for the 30th Annual NSDTA Educational Conference this September 30 – October 3 in Columbus, OH. This is your opportunity to shape the content for this premier event for professionals involved in human services training, staff and organizational development/effectiveness. Submissions are due no later than Wednesday, March 28.
Registration is OPEN for APHSA National HHS Summit
Our 2018 National Health and Human Services Summit will focus on how we can achieve better outcomes for children, families, and communities through:

  • Modernization and integration
  • Implementation of new fiscal policies
  • Economic and employment support
  • Social Determinants of Health and the Whole-Family Approach
  • Increased collaboration between states, localities, and the Administration
  • & more!
Apply for a Summit Scholarship!
APHSA has received an award from the Pascale-Sykes Foundation to fund up to twenty (20) scholarships for representatives from state and local public and private non-profit organizations to attend our 2018 National HHS Summit . The organizations must be committed to working with and involving natural or foster families in solving issues and striving for future success and family stability. Eligible organizations and their proposed scholarship recipient must demonstrate innovative approaches to involving the entire family where either both parents are present in the household or a non-custodial parent or one or more other responsible adults (grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) is also consistently involved in the children’s lives. View additional details about the scholarship here . 

To receive a scholarship, organizations must submit an electronic application  here  by Wednesday, April 4.
Webinar: Using Technology to Support Learning on Demand
Join us Thursday, Apirl 5 at 3:00 pm EST to learn how the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute is using technology to develop a learning ecosystem to meet the needs of today's workforce. 
Webinar: Linkages Between Food Insecurity, SNAP, and Health Care
Join IMPAQ International on Monday, April 9 at 2:00 pm EST to learn how SNAP’s effect on health indicates a need to engage health partners around social determinants, promote a more integrated health and human services delivery system, and support SNAP as a national strategy to counter rising health care costs. 
NAPIPM Call for Proposals
The National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM) is now accepting proposals for the Annual NAPIPM Education Conference this August 13-16 in Tampa, FL. This is your opportunity to shape the content for this premier event for professionals who focus on assessing and improving program information, performance, and outcomes. Submissions are due no later than Friday, April 20.