Aug. 24 Federal Update: ACF Announces New Peer Support Prevention Services to Strengthen Families  

The Administration for Children and Families determined that two new peer support interventions meet the evidence standards to be included in the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse, allowing states to claim federal matching funds when delivering these services: 

• Family-Based Recovery, Supported: An intensive in-home clinical treatment to support parents of children ages 0-5 with the chronic disease of addiction. The program allows a parent to receive the help they need, including a weekly peer support meeting, while ensuring children develop in a safe, substance-free, and stable home with their parents. 
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Supported: A facilitated peer group program, delivered by trained peer facilitators, designed to support individuals in the areas of mental health and the chronic disease of addiction. The program coaches individuals through recovery concepts and helps participants respond to and recover from crises. 

For further information, the Children’s Bureau published a Dear Colleague Letter and sample language for Title IV-E agencies. 

HHS Encourages “Treatment First” Approach to Continuum of Care Program Goals 

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a major shift in the federal government’s approach to homelessness, aiming to place treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency at the center of federal homelessness programs. 

Through a “Treatment First” approach, the Department of Housing and Urban Development will pair Continuum of Care Program funding with safe housing and services designed to address the underlying factors contributing to chronic homelessness and help individuals toward lasting independence.   

For more information, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development published a toolkit to equip state and local leaders with best practices to expand recovery, reduce homelessness, and improve public safety. The toolkit advances a “Treatment First” model that prioritizes coordinated, accountability-driven engagement in evidence-based treatment and recovery support services to ensure access to effective, comprehensive care. 

Final Rule to Prevent Federal Funding for Children’s Gender-Affirming Care  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule prohibiting federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program funding for gender-affirming care for patients younger than 18. However, federal Medicaid and CHIP funding will be made available for up to six months for patients tapering off from hormone therapy. The rule, scheduled to take effect Oct. 13, does not affect coverage of mental health treatments.  

ACF Announces Funding Awards to Advance Predictive Risk Modeling in Child Welfare 

The Administration for Children and Families announced $6 million in grant funding to 10 child welfare jurisdictions, including Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Muscogee Creek Nation, and the District of Columbia. Jurisdictions will receive approximately $600,000 each to implement predictive analytics and emerging technology infrastructure to turn case management data into actionable insights. 

The funding aims to support the development and implementation of predictive risk models tailored to local data and needs, creation of governance structures and quality assurance processes, and staff training. It will also support community and stakeholder engagement during the implementation and evaluation.  

ACF Amends Title IV-E Sections of the Child Welfare Policy Manual

The Administration for Children and Families amended policies in the Child Welfare Policy Manual clarifying that Title IV-E agencies may allow an expectant parent to receive Title IV-E prevention services if the Title IV-E agency determines that their unborn child is a candidate for foster care (§8.6B.4).

Additionally, amendments offered policy guidance on the interaction of Title IV-E funding, the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood services, and Aid to Families with Dependent Children eligibility rules with Trump Accounts and Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts (§§3.3E, 8.1B, 8.1H, and 8.4A).

SAMHSA Announces Funding for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Substance Use Disorder Services 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced $96.7 million in grants and cooperative agreements to strengthen behavioral health services and support nationwide. The awards fund a range of behavioral health services and initiatives, including services for people with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness, suicide prevention and early intervention, substance use disorder treatment, training and technical assistance, peer support, and disaster-related emotional support. 

For further information regarding the awards, please visit SAMHSA’s press release. 

Sector Updates from the Judiciary  

Federal Court Expands Ruling to Safeguard Mail-In Voting 

The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts expanded an order nationwide to stop the implementation of a recent executive order’s mail-in voting policies. The executive order would’ve given postal service officials the authority to refuse delivery of mail ballots in states that declined to coordinate with the agency. 

Federal Court Upholds Administrative Rule Restricting Oversight of ACA Exchange Enrollment 

The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts largely upheld a 2025 rule that strengthened oversight of Affordable Care Act exchange enrollment. Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton ruled in favor of provisions that reduce the grace period for premium tax credit recipients to reconcile their income from two years to one year and shorten states’ open enrollment periods. However, he rejected a provision that excluded certain gender-affirming care from being treated as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act. 

Federal Court Rejects Social Service Grant Conditions   

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island rejected grant conditions placed by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development aimed at eliminating programs that are perceived as promoting gender ideology; diversity, equity, and inclusion; elective abortions; and antidiscrimination. Collectively, the grants funded domestic-violence services, supportive housing, street outreach, and youth programs. 

Judge DuBose ruled that the agencies violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to adequately explain how they considered the proposed terms would affect involved organizations and communities and that certain phrasing was unconstitutionally vague.  

Federal Court Rejects Mass Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Grant Conditions  

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against the cancellation of 53 existing Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants. The grants, totaling approximately $68 million, were canceled suddenly in June due to “misalignment with agency priority.”  

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program supports local initiatives proven to reduce teen pregnancy, prevent sexually transmitted infections, and support healthy relationships. Research has associated teen pregnancies with reduced education attainment, a greater likelihood of poverty, and worsened health outcomes. Likewise, poverty and child abuse and neglect have been associated as risk factors for early pregnancies.  

The administration introduced a replacement framework for curricula in July, shifting resources toward “reproductive goals counseling,” anatomy, fertility tracking, and abstinence rather than contraceptives. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s ruling prevents the changes to the grant program as litigation continues. 

The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on the curriculum of these sex education programs and grant requirements, but did not reinstate any of the previously cut funding. 

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