Health and Human Services

Washington, Aug. 20 – States may gain some valuable federal insight on ways to help them prevent fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — formerly the Food Stamp program — in response to concerns raised about state fraud detection units.

Washington, March 3 – States that did not receive funding for school food equipment under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but were offered funding in fiscal 2010 as part of a second wave of funds, are being told by the Food and Nutrition Service that they may opt to use the funds now or postpone accepting them until a later date.

Washington, Feb 4 – State agencies should set realistic performance goals and proactively establish standard procedures for managing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to avoid such obstacles California faces in implementing its Recovery Act Weatherization program. As of Dec. 1, 2009, no homes in the state had been weatherized using Recovery Act funds even though the U.S. Department of Energy six months earlier made some $93 million available to the state Department of Community Services and Development.

Washington, Jan. 28 – State Medicaid directors now have federal guidance to help them implement provisions under Section 5006 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These provisions offer cost sharing protections and other various exemptions under Medicaid for Indian beneficiaries and participants served by Indian health providers.

Washington, Jan. 11 – Noting the greater demand in mental health and substance abuse treatment services due to economic hardships, the Administration for Children and Families recently reminded state and tribal governments that they may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds and state maintenance of effort funds, including TANF Emergency Fund awards issued under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to help eligible individuals in need of these services.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriates $2 billion for the Administration for Children and Family's Child Care and Development Block Grants. For a detailed explanation of how the program operates, view the attached PDF file.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $2.1 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start grants. For detailed background information on how the two programs work, view the attached PDF documents.

Washington, Feb. 25 – Two leading policy organizations are sparring over the inclusion of a $5 billion, two-year emergency contingency fund within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Pub. L. 111-5, that would give additional grant money to states to support their Temporary Assistance to Needy Families programs.

Washington, Oct. 7 – Shortly after unveiling a new, $373 million grant competition for state and local health agencies to fund community-based prevention and wellness programs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has invited state and territorial agencies to apply for a separate pool of discretionary and formula funding also geared toward reducing chronic health problems through healthier lifestyles.

Washington, Sept. 23 – Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of $373 million in cooperative agreements to support preventive health care practices aimed at lowering two of the nation’s leading causes of chronic disease and death: obesity and tobacco use.