ARRA--Human Services
FFIS Reports
Issue Brief 10-25 TANF Emergency Fund Update, June 8, 2010
Issue Brief 09-48 Majority of States Have Accessed TANF Emergency Funds, December 10, 2009
Issue Brief 09-44 House Health Care Reform Bill Includes ARRA FMAP Extension, November 6, 2009
Issue Brief 09-19 TANF Emergency Fund Details Released, April 23, 2009
Issue Brief 09-18 ARRA Restores Federal Match for Child Support Incentive Payments, April 15, 2009
General Information
October 2009: HHS Releases Reporting Tool The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Recovery Act Recipient Reporting Readiness Tool that provides grant-specific information to assist recipients prepare for data reporting: http://taggs.hhs.gov/ReadinessTool/
HHS supplemental jobs guidance and sample reports are available at: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/reports/reportingassistance.html#supplemental
March 18, 2009: HHS Funding HHS Acting Secretary Charles Johnson has sent a letter to governors outlining the HHS funding available to states under ARRA. A copy of the letter is attached.
Agency Announcements
Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
April 12, 2010: ACF Posts Information on Wage Rate and Buy American Requirements for CCDF The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a program instruction to provide guidance on two specific requirements applicable to ARRA funds that now apply to Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) funds. These provisions include wage rate requirements and domestic content requirements applicable to the use of ARRA funds for construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair. To view the guidance, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/law/guidance/current/pi2010-02/pi2010-02.htm
January 2010: CCDF Specific Guidance for ARRA Section 1512 Reporting The Child Care Bureau released ARRA guidance for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) to provide lead agencies with information to assist them in meeting the reporting guidance. To view the information, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/initiatives/arra/1512/index.htm
October 29, 2009: CCDF Financial Reporting Forms ACF released a program instruction that provides the Child Care Development Fund Financial Form (ACF-696) for FY 2009 and guidance on the changes related to ARRA funding. To view the program instruction, go to:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/law/guidance/current/pi2009-08/pi2009-08.htm
June 2, 2009: CCDBG Guidance ACF released an Information Memorandum that provides guidance on the flexibility within the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). The guidance is intended to be a reference tool for states in implementing the additional funding under ARRA and developing their Child Care Development Fund plans.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/law/guidance/current/im2009-01/im2009-01.
CCDBG Allocations and Guidance
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/initiatives/arra/index.htm
Child Support Enforcement
For up-to-date funding information, go to: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/cse/incentivesimpact.html
March 26, 2009: Child Support Enforcement Information on incentive payments: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/AT/2009/at-09-02.htm
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Program information and allocations: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/acf/csbg.html
December
3, 2010: ACF Provides Final Guidance on ARRA CSBG Funds The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provided final guidance on the close out, liquidation, and reporting
requirements for the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds included in
ARRA. The details can be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/csbg/guidance/im122.html
August 18, 2009 ACF released an Information Memorandum on the Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation Process for FY 2009 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) ARRA Funds:http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/csbg/guidance/im112.html
April 10, 2009 HHS announced plans to make $1 billion available for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090410a.html.
Early Childhood Grants
December
15, 2010: GAO Issues Report on Head Start Funds Under ARRA The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examined
how Head Start and Early Head Start grantees used ARRA funds, challenges the
grantees encountered in spending the funds, monitoring of funds at the federal
level, and the quality of jobs data reported by recipients. The report, “Head
Start Grantees Expand Services, but More Consistent Communication Could Improve
Accountability and Decisions about Spending,” is available at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11166.pdf
December 24, 2009: Head Start ARRA Guidance on Enrollment The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a program instruction (ACF-PI-HS-09-11) on ARRA program information and enrollment reporting. To view the guidance, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/policy/pi2009/acfpihs_09_11.html
November 19, 2009: Change to ARRA Reporting for Head Start Program ACF informed Head Start and Early Head Start grantees who receive cost of living increases that the use of these funds will no longer be reported as jobs retained: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/What's%20New/2009_whatsnew.html
May 11, 2009: Early Childhood Grants HHS sent letters to governors that detail Early Childhood Advisory Council state allocation amounts under ARRA and provide guidance for application of the startup grant awards. The application deadline is August 1, 2010. Attached are a copy of the letter that went to governors and the guidance.
April 2, 2009: Head Start, Early Head Start Funding HHS announced that Head Start and Early Head Start programs will receive funding and be eligible to apply for grants worth $2.1 billion under ARRA. Head Start will receive $1 billion, while $1.1 billion will benefit Early Head Start. Head Start will also receive a separate $235 million increase for FY 2009, bringing the total funding increase for Head Start and Early Head Start to more than $2.3 billion.
The Head Start and Early Head Start press release can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090402a.html.
Elderly Nutrition
April 4, 2009: Elderly Nutrition Guidance: http://www.aoa.gov/AoAroot/Press_Room/News/2009/DOCS/ARRA_NutritionFAQFIN.doc
March 18, 2009: State Allocations: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/aoa/arra.html
Foster Care/Adoption Assistance
March 11, 2010: ACF Releases Title IV-E Guidance on Making Work Pay Tax Credit The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) posted to its website an Information Memorandum (IM 10-01) that provides guidance on the treatment of payment received through the making work pay tax credit, created under ARRA, when determining eligibility for Title IV-E programs. To view the memorandum, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/im/2010/im1001.html
Foster Care/Adoption For recent information on the FMAP increase for foster care and adoption assistance: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/acf/adoption-foster.html
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
August 16, 2011: ACF Extends Deadline for ARRA Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund ACF issued a program
instruction to states to provide guidance about how to submit additional
qualifying expenditures for the TANF Emergency Fund. ACF processed all requests
and still has additional funds remaining. As such, ACF is establishing a new
deadline of September 30, 2011. More details are available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2011/pi201107/pi201107.html
March 11, 2011: ACF Publishes Final Reporting Procedures for TANF Emergency
Fund ACF issued the following program instruction to provide guidance about
reporting final data as well as the final reconciliation procedures for the
TANF Emergency Fund included in ARRA: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2011/pi201105/pi201105.html
January 28, 2011: ACF Encourages TANF Agencies
to Partner with Local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites ACF issued a Dear Colleague letter to remind states that many workers
that participated in subsidized employment programs under the TANF Emergency
Contingency Fund are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). ACF
encourages TANF agencies to provide information to these workers on VITA sites
for their tax preparation and to apply for the EITC. More information can be
found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/colleague-ltr/2011_Benefits-EITC-Subsidized-Dear_Colleague.html
October 26, 2010: ACF
Updates TANF Emergency Fund Q&A The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) updated its questions and answer (Q&A) document on the TANF Emergency Fund
to address whether a jurisdiction may serve youth over the age of 18 in a
subsidized employment program. For more information, see:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/recovery/tanf-faq.htm#_serving_older_youth
September 30, 2010: HHS Updates Information on TANF Emergency Funds HHS updated a chart showing approved Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund applications by category. To view the information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/apprTANFemerfund.html
September 23, 2010: HHS Updates Information on TANF Emergency Funds HHS updated a chart showing approved Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund applications by category. To view the information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/apprTANFemerfund.html
September 10, 2010: HHS Updates Information on TANF Emergency Funds HHS updated a chart showing approved Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund applications by category. To view the information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/apprTANFemerfund.html
August 31, 2010: TANF Emergency Fund Applications Exceed $5 Billion
Appropriation ACF
released an advisory that the combination of approved and pending applications
for the TANF Emergency Fund now
exceeds $5 billion. As a result, ACF has implemented the procedures outlined in
the following program instruction:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2010/pi201006/pi201006.html
August 18, 2010: ACF Releases Guidance on TANF Emergency Fund The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released guidance to inform TANF jurisdictions of the procedures for awarding funds if the total requests for funds exceed $5 billion. To view the guidance, click here: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2010/pi201006/pi201006.html
August 12, 2010: HHS Updates TANF Emergency Fund Question and Answer Document HHS updated its question and answer document to reflect new information about estimating TANF expenditures for TANF-funded food bank benefits. To view the additions, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/recovery/tanf-faq.htm#_estimating
August 12, 2010: HHS Updates Information on TANF Emergency Funds HHS updated a chart showing approved TANF Emergency Fund applications by category. To view the information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/apprTANFemerfund.html
August 3, 2010: ACF Revises TANF Emergency Fund Question and Answer Document ACF added a new question and answer to its TANF Emergency Fund document regarding procedures forallocatingfunds once claims exceed $5 billion. To view the information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/recovery/tanf-faq.htm#_procedures
July 6, 2010: HHS and HUD Release Joint Guidance on Homelessness HHS and HUD issued a Dear Colleague Letter to states outlining available resources and program coordination opportunities to prevent and end homelessness. The letter highlights ARRA funding for the s TANF program and the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP). For more information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/colleague-ltr/2010_TANF-HUD.html
March 24, 2010: Agencies Send Notice to States on Use of TANF Emergency Funds for Summer Food Programs HHS and USDA notified states that ARRA TANF Emergency Contingency Funds can be used to assist families through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
For more information and guidance on the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund, visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/
March 22, 2010: House Adds TANF Emergency Fund Provision to Small Business Jobs Bill A provision to extend the TANF Emergency Fund for one year and add $2.5 billion for 2011 was added to the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010 (H.R. 4849) by action taken in the House Rules Committee. The provision also specifies that the subsidized employment category can include a member of a needy family, whether or not receiving TANF cash assistance, or an individual that has exhausted or will soon exhaust all UI benefits and who is needy, regardless of whether the household includes a child. The full bill is expected to go to the House floor for a vote later this week. The Rules Committee action means that TANF Emergency Fund extension will be automatically added to the bill that comes to the House floor. The language of the amendment can be found at: http://www.rules.house.gov/111/SpecialRules/hr4849/111_4849_amnd.pdf
March 19, 2010: OCSE Releases Guidance on TANF Emergency Funds for Non-Custodial Parents The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL-10-04) that provides guidance to states on using the ARRA TANF Emergency Fund to reduce or pay off child support arrearages owed to families. To view the guidance, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/DCL/2010/dcl-10-04.htm
March 5, 2010: Letter to States on TANF Emergency Funds HHS and USDA issued the attached letter urging states to consider using TANF ARRA Emergency Contingency Funds for Summer Food Service Programs. The letter describes how these funds might be used to help more venues participate during the summer, when it has historically been difficult to reach those children who get subsidized breakfast and lunch at school during the school year.
March 4, 2010: TANF Emergency Fund Updates ACF has posted that as of March 4, 2010, a total of $1.6 billion had been awarded from the ARRA TANF Emergency Fund. Under the law, expenditures are reimbursable only through September 30, 2010. A list of state TANF Emergency Fund applications that have been approved, which includes the maximum amount each state qualifies for, the amounts awarded to date, and the categories in which states have had increased expenditures, can be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/apprTANFemerfund.html
March 3, 2010: Revised Form for TANF Emergency Funds Requests Released ACF released program instructions (TANF-ACF-PI-2010-01) announcing a revised OFA-100 to be used by states in requesting TANF Emergency Funds under ARRA. Effective immediately, a jurisdiction applying for emergency funds must use the revised form OFA-100. Jurisdictions should not resubmit any applications it made prior to the issuance of this guidance, but must use the revised form OFA-100 to update and revise data it has already submitted as part of an earlier application. For more information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2010/pi201001/pi201001.htm
February 4, 2010: ACF Guidance on Make Work Pay Tax Credit Disregard for TANF ACF posted a new TANF Instruction advising jurisdictions they must disregard the Making Work Pay tax credit as income and as a resource in the month of receipt and the two following months. Jurisdictions may choose to disregard the tax credit for a longer period, e.g. 12 months, and may take a similar approach for other refundable tax credits and tax refunds to increase administrative simplicity. The complete guidance can be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2010/pi201002.htm
January 6, 2010: New Information on the Use of TANF Emergency Funds for Older Youths ACF has recently updated its questions and answers on ARRA TANF emergency funds. The new update relates to using TANF emergency funds for older youths. For more information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/recovery/tanf-faq.htm#_serving_older_youth
December 30, 2009: Updated TANF Emergency Fund Chart The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has updated information regarding approved TANF emergency fund applications by category. To view the state-specific information, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/apprTANFemerfund.html
December 1, 2009: ACF Updates Information on TANF Emergency Funds ACF updated its question and answers document on ARRA TANF Emergency Funds. In addition, it released information on approved TANF Emergency Fund applications by category. To view the information, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/
October 27, 2009: OFA Q&A Posted The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) at HHS has posted a series of questions and answers on administrative costs, use of third-party expenditures, and use of gift cards in TANF Emergency Contingency Funds. OFA has also posted more detail on approved TANF Emergency Contingency Fund applications. TANF Emergency Contingency Funds were authorized and appropriated under ARRA (see FFIS Issue Brief 09-19). In order to be eligible to receive resources from the Emergency Fund, a state must demonstrate an increase in the number of families receiving assistance from the TANF program or an increase in expenditures on employment subsidies or short-term, one-time benefits in at least one quarter during FY 2009 or FY 2010. HHS announced the availability of these funds on April 3, 2009, see the HHS press release at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090403a.htm
The Questions and Answers can be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/recovery/tanf-faq.htm
Details on approved TANF Emergency Contingency Fund applications can be found under Data and Reports at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/data-reports/index.htm
Program information: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/tanf/index.html
July 20, 2009: TANF Emergency Contingency Funds The Office of Family Assistance at the Department of Health and Human Services issued a program notice that instructs jurisdictions to use form OFA-100 when applying for TANF Emergency Contingency funds. A jurisdiction should not resubmit any applications it made prior to the issuance of the July 20, 2009, guidance, but must use form OFA-100 to update and revise data it has already submitted as part of an earlier application. The form and instructions can be found at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pi-ofa/2009/200905/PI200905.htm
April 3, 2009: Recovery Act Provides $5 Billion to Assist Needy Families HHS announced the availability of up to an additional $5 billion in emergency funding for the TANF program. This new Emergency Fund, established by ARRA, will help states serve more families seeking employment opportunities and other forms of assistance during the economic downturn. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090403a.html
April 3, 2009: Policy Announcement and State Allocations: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/policy/pa-ofa/2009/pa200901.htm
Other Programs
September 30, 2009: HHS Awards Funds Under New ARRA Program HHS awarded $46 million to 84 grantees under a new program created by ARRA, the Strengthening Communities Fund. Under the State, Local, and Tribal Capacity Building Program, entities in 29 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rice, and territories received awards. Under the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, 35 applicants received awards. A list of grants by state is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2009/scf_chart.html