Social Current’s Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) is a yearlong leadership development program offered in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. Through ELI, executives and senior managers learn how to lead more effectively in an ever-changing environment. The institute includes an in-person event, May 10-14, 2026 in Chicago; real-world projects that address a challenge at their organizations; mentorship; and more. 

Over the course of the program, leaders grow their knowledge and skills to effectively manage day-to-day operations and prepare for future challenges and changes. 

We are proud to spotlight the experience of ELI alum: Devin Burgin, vice president of the psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF) program at KidsTLC. 

Devin and fellow ELI alumni will share their experiences and insight on the program in the webinar series, Executive Leadership Institute for Organizational Impact. Register now to join his session, March 10 from noon-1 p.m. ET. 

Q&A with Devin

Tell us about your background. 

I joined KidsTLC in 2013 as a residential care facilitator in the psychiatric residential treatment facility. After serving in that capacity for two years, I became the program implementation manager. During my three years in this role, I oversaw a residential unit, was the school manager, and eventually transitioned to director of unit clinical operations, where I helped to oversee day-to-day residential operations on campus. In 2023, I transitioned to my current role as vice president of the PRTF program, where I oversee program implementation managers and supervise residential operations. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in exercise science from Pittsburg State University in 2013. I still have a huge passion for health and fitness and conduct personal training outside of KidsTLC time. I learned about ELI through my current CEO, Erin Dugan, who came across the connection through networking. 

Can you tell us about your ELI project? 

My capstone project is called Leadership Academy. It is a comprehensive, three-tiered program designed to cultivate leadership excellence at every level of our organization. The program emphasizes individual development, purposeful leadership, and strategic goal setting, with a focus on aligning personal growth with KidsTLC’s mission, vision, and structure. KidsTLC has been graduated 25 entry-level employees and 13 mid-level managers since starting the program.   

What is something you learned at ELI that still sticks with you?  

ELI opened my eyes to a lot of similar struggles in social sector work. I loved the ability to network and collaborate with so many leaders across the U.S. The ability to bounce strategies and ideas that can help not only our organization, but the entire field of work is a special collaboration.   

How did the institute impact you as a leader?  

I’d say it helped me be more confident overall. I believe in my leadership, but, at times, I tend to sit back and don’t always speak up. ELI gave me opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and add value where I can.  

What advice would you give to someone considering ELI?  

Be open, confident, and come with a learning mentality. Don’t shy away from opportunities and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, especially in relation to the capstone project.   

How has participating in ELI helped you to advance your career?  

Again, I’d say confidence in being a complete leader though and through and taking risks and changes when I have the opportunity. The connections and networking are what have impacted me the most. I have the ability to continue to engage with ELI through its alumni advisory group, which has been a goal of mine over the past couple years. 

Learn more about ELI online and sign up to be notified when registration opens. 

Enhanced premium tax credits offered through the Affordable Care Act will expire Jan. 1, 2026.

The credits were first introduced in 2021 and later extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. By increasing eligibility to those with an income above 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, an additional 13 million Americans were able to gain access to health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

However, as the cost of living rapidly rises and Medicaid eligibility narrows following H.R. 1, drastic increases in health care costs present critical challenges for Americans nationwide. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that nearly 4 million people will lose their insurance over the next decade if the credits expire.

The Senate is expected to vote as soon as Dec. 9 on a health care proposal, although the exact provisions are not yet clear.

ACF Announces Initiative to Increase Availability of Foster Homes 

On Nov. 25, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a Home for Every Child, a national initiative intended to match the ratio of foster homes to the number of children in the foster care system.

According to ACF, approximately 57 licensed foster homes are available nationwide for every 100 children entering the foster care system. Without sufficient, safe homes, children face significant uncertainty and safety risks.

The initiative aims to increase the availability of safe homes through diligent recruitment that prioritizes kin and improves the retention of existing caregivers. Additionally, it centers prevention to reduce entries into foster care and accelerates pathways to permanency.

A Home for Every Child will empower state agencies with broad latitude, flexibility, and technical support to reimagine community-specific interventions. ACF will also eliminate bureaucratic barriers, streamline foster family licensing, support kinship caregivers, and encourage faith-based partnerships to expand the network of caring families.

LIHEAP Funding Released 

On Nov. 28, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association announced that approximately $3.6 billion in delayed funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was released to states and tribes.

In 2024, the LIHEAP allocated $4.1 billion, which secured essential heating assistance for 5 million households, according to the Administration for Children and Families.

Department of Education Announces Six Agency Partnerships to Return Education to the States 

On Nov. 18, the U.S. Department of Education announced six interagency agreements with four agencies to ensure the efficient delivery of funded programs and activities, while increasing state authority in education. 

Alongside a partnership to increase the efficiency of the Fulbright-Hays grant and another to evaluate whether the standards of accreditation for foreign medical schools are comparable with the standards for medical schools in the U.S., the partnerships include, 

Children’s Bureau Issues Memo Notifying the Designated Placements Rule is No Longer Effective 

On Nov. 19, the Administration for Children and Families issued an information memorandum to inform state and tribal title IV-B/IV-E agencies that Designated Placement Requirements Under Titles IV-E and IV-B for LGBTQI+ Children is vacated effective June 13, 2025. The decision follows a court order determining the 2024 rule exceeds federal authority and is contrary to law. 

The rule had required state and tribal title IV-E and IV-B agencies to ensure that placements for all children are free from harassment, mistreatment, and abuse. Agencies would be required to implement specific processes and requirements to ensure that children in foster care who identify as LGBTQI+ would be placed with foster care providers who were trained to meet their specific needs related to their sexual orientation and gender identity and who would facilitate access to age-appropriate services to support their health and well-being. 

ACF Withdraws Certain Child Welfare Policy Manual Questions Following Amended Interpretation of Federal Public Benefit 

On Nov. 24, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the withdrawal of Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM) 8.4B Question and Answer #13 (title IV-E), CWPM Section 2.1, Question and Answer #3 (CAPTA), CWPM Section 7.1, Question and Answer #3 (title IV-B), and Information Memorandum 98-04. 

ACF affirmed that services provided under title IV-B, other than foster care, and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act programs do not qualify as federal public benefits subject to the citizen and qualified alien restrictions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.  

Due to the amended regulations, families may experience significant challenges in receiving vital services, including those intended to prevent child abuse, due to their immigration status. 

HUD Announces Significant Changes to Key Housing Grant Program 

On Nov. 13, the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced notice of funding opportunities for fiscal year 2025 Continuum of Care and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program grants. 

The grants contain key changes, including significantly increasing the reliance on Merit Review scores and project ranking to award Continuum of Care (CoC) grants. Additionally, funds will be increasingly directed toward transitional housing that requires employment and addiction treatment. Meanwhile, a maximum of 30% of CoC’s Annual Renewal Demand will fund Permanent Housing projects. 

Senator Wyden Outlines Policy and Oversight Priorities in Letter to ACF Assistant Secretary  

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) stressed the potential of recent policies to endanger children’s well-being and the importance of corresponding action in a recent letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families.  

The outlined policy and oversight priorities include community-based care for all children, including those within the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Additionally, Senator Wyden emphasized the importance of ensuring LGBTQI+ youth within the child welfare system reside in safe and affirming homes. He detailed the importance of the timely receipt of congressionally appropriated funding for all Head Start programs and the need to strengthen support for kinship caregivers. 

Work & Welfare Subcommittee Holds Hearing to Discuss Leveraging Innovation and Technology to Help America’s Foster Youth Succeed 

On Nov. 18, the United States House Committee on Ways and Means subcommittee, Work and Welfare, held a hearing to review and reform the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood. 

Members highlighted the gravity of the challenges that youth in foster care face alongside the challenges state welfare systems face in responding. Chairman LaHood (R-Ill.) detailed the importance of modernizing states’ child welfare systems and expanding the use of technology, including through case management tools. 

Witnesses detailed the role of artificial intelligence in relieving administrative burden, the importance of relational health and community support, and the need to center the voices of youth with lived experience.  

HHS Publishes Peer-Reviewed Study, Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently published Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices. The report is not a clinical practice guideline, and it does not issue legislative or policy recommendations. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health concluded that puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures are significant, long term, and too often ignored or inadequately tracked.  

The findings stand in stark contrast to the guidance and recommendations of multiple major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Psychological Association, and the Endocrine Society, hold for gender-affirming care.

CMS Announces Significant Cost Savings for Medications Treating Cancer and Chronic Disease 

On Nov. 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced 15 negotiated medications used to treat cancer, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic illnesses. According to CMS, the medications were used by approximately 5.3 million people with Medicare Part D coverage between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. 

The adjusted Maximum Fair Prices are expected to generate significant cost savings for Medicare and its beneficiaries. 

DHS Publishes a Proposed Rule to Rescind Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Regulations

On Nov. 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2022 public charge ground of inadmissibility regulations.

The 2022 rule amended and clarified the criteria guiding DHS to determine whether a noncitizen can be admitted to the United States. The criteria were also utilized to determine whether a noncitizen who is legally in the country should be able to change their immigration status to become a permanent resident according to the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Additionally, the rule narrowed the types of public benefits that may be considered when determining whether an individual is, or is likely to become, a “public charge” to cash benefits and Medicaid long-term care. The term “public charge” was first integrated within federal immigration law in 1882. It has consistently been interpreted by courts and administrative agencies to refer to noncitizens who rely primarily on the government for support. Public charge is only used for applications for visas or green cards, rather than applications for citizenship.

The recent proposed rule alleges that previous provisions restrict DHS officers’ ability to make public charge inadmissibility determinations that are consistent with the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).

Following the removal of critical provisions of the 2022 final rule, DHS intends to formulate appropriate policy and interpretive tools that will guide officers in making individualized, fact-specific public charge inadmissibility determinations, according to a totality of the individuals’ circumstances.

Comments must be submitted on or before Dec. 19, 2025.

Sector Updates from the Judiciary  

Federal Court Orders the Reinstatement of Policy for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Youth 

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ordered the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to reinstate a policy that automatically considers applicants for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for Deferred Action. The court also ordered that USCIS resume considering employment authorization applications for SIJS Deferred Action recipients. 

The status of Special Immigrant Juvenile is reserved for youth immigrants who have been abused or neglected by at least one parent and apply before turning 21. The designation offers protection against deportation as youth wait for visas, while opening a pathway to obtaining a work permit and permanent residency. However, caps restrict the number of available visas to SIJ recipients each year, often leading youth to spend years awaiting a decision. 

The court’s decision allows the policy to remain in place as litigation continues. 

Social Current has released the new case study, Shifting Mindsets, Shaping Futures: Using a Proven Assessment Tool to Build an Interculturally Competent Organization, which highlights the powerful transformation underway at Children & Families First Delaware (CFF). Through the strategic use of the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) and support from Social Current, CFF has strengthened its internal culture, deepened its equity work , and enhanced its ability to serve its communities.

This case study offers an inside look at how the organization is leveraging data, partnership, and intentional practice to drive meaningful change, as well as how other organizations can do the same.

A Journey Rooted in Values and Measurable Growth

Following 2020’s national reckoning on racial justice, CFF sought a deeper, more actionable way to advance its work in growing intercultural awareness and acceptance. Through partnership with Social Current, CFF launched a multiphase implementation of the IDI®, a research-backed tool that assesses and supports intercultural competence across staff and teams.

With Social Current’s coaching, facilitation, and strategic guidance, CFF has:

“We’ve gone from talking about core values to living them,” said Dr. Julius Mullen, CFF’s chief learning and community officer. “The assessment gave us language, insight, and accountability. Social Current gave us the support to actually use it.”

Read the Full Case Study

The full case study, Shifting Mindsets, Shaping Futures, is now available for download. It provides practical insights for organizations seeking to build intercultural competence and strengthen their culture through data-informed strategies and strong partnership.

Upcoming Webinar: How Assessments Can Fuel Personal and Organizational Growth

To offer additional insight into the IDI® as an organizational tool, Social Current will host an interactive webinar, How Assessments Can Fuel Personal and Organizational Growth, on Jan. 14 from 2-3 p.m. ET.

This session will explore the power of assessment tools, like the IDI®, to strengthen leadership development, support organizational culture change, and guide strategic growth. Participants will learn how assessments can:

The webinar will feature Social Current experts who support organizations across the country in using assessments to spark meaningful, sustained impact.

Register now to join the conversation and learn how your organization can turn insight into action.

On Nov. 12, President Trump signed funding legislation, ending a 43-day government shutdown that caused profound and ongoing harm to the social sector and the communities we serve.  

The legislation extends government funding through Jan. 30, including for Medicare telehealth flexibilities and family-to-family health information centers. The bill is also accompanied by three appropriations bills that fund military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, and operations for the Legislative Branch through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.  

Through funding negotiations, the Senate agreed to hold a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium subsidies, although the credit’s extension is not guaranteed. Millions of Americans are facing marked premium increases that threaten their ability to access essential care. 

Through the appropriations legislation, funding and benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have resumed following critical delays. However, delays in vital grant and contract disbursements continue to be expected, exacerbating the immense financial strain the nonprofit sector is facing. The challenges reverberate across Head Start centers as organizations that failed to receive funding due to the shutdown face the potential of weeks-long delays in accessing funding.  

Funding Agreement Safeguards Essential Nutrition Programs 

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill was enacted Nov. 12, safeguarding funding for essential nutrition programs through Sept. 30. 

The bill authorizes, 

The bill was passed alongside the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which secures essential funding for veterans’ health care, benefits, and housing. For further information regarding the The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Related Agencies Appropriations bill’s provisions, the Senate Appropriations Committee published the following brief. 

President Trump Signs an Executive Order to Support Youth in Foster Care 

On Nov. 13, President Trump signed an executive order that aims to support educational success, occupational advancement, and financial literacy and self-sufficiency for individuals within and transitioning out of foster care. 

The order takes action to modernize state child-welfare information systems by expanding states’ use of technological solutions and improving the collection, publication, utility, and transparency of state-level child-welfare data. 

It also centers partnerships with agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit entities to increase access to housing, education, employment, healthcare, and mentoring services for youth who are in or are transitioning out of the foster care system. 

Additionally, it orders the Department of Health and Human Services to“address State and local policies and practices that prohibit participation in federally-funded child-welfare programs by qualified individuals or organizations because of their religious beliefs or moral convictions.” 

CMS Announces Medicaid Pilot to Lower Prescription Drug Spending  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has designed a pilot program to lower prescription drug spending in Medicaid, improve health outcomes by increasing access to critical medications, and strengthen the Medicaid program overall. 

State Medicaid programs that choose to participate in the Generating Cost Reductions for U.S. (GENEROUS) Medicaid Model will be able to purchase drugs included in the pilot at prices aligned with those paid in select countries, increasing access to fairer, more competitive pricing.  

The model will launch in 2026. CMS will negotiate with participating manufacturers for lower prices, while states adopting the model are instructed to implement uniform, transparent coverage criteria to ensure predictable access across participating states. 

Sector Updates from the Judiciary 

Federal Court Pauses Colorado Law Requiring Social Media Warnings for Minors 

The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado paused HB24-1136, a Colorado law that required social media companies to warn minors regarding the potential harms of their platforms. The law ordered companies to issue warnings that would appear every 30 minutes once youth spent at least an hour on a social network in a 24-hour period. The message would remind users of social media’s potential impact on their developing brains and potential impacts ontheir mental and physical health.  

U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martínez cited First Amendment concerns and noted the value of incentivizing, rather than compelling, social media companies to offer disclosures. 

CMS Announces Next Steps for Rural Health Transformation Program 

The Rural Health Transformation Program was created by H.R. 1 to strengthen sustainable access to health care across rural America, including through workforce development and innovative care models. 

Following the closure of the application period, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will now review states’ submissions to ensure completeness and compliance. States meeting the requirements will receive baseline funding, or 50% of available program funds, distributed equally among approved states.  

The remaining funds will be distributed following a rigorous, data-driven merit review led by federal and non-federal rural health experts and overseen by senior federal review directors. The process will assess each state’s proposed initiatives and alignment with program goals. 

Awardees will be announced by Dec. 31, with funding distributed over five years beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. As states begin implementation, program officers from CMS’s Office of Rural Health Transformation will provide technical assistance and ongoing support to help states design, launch, and sustain initiatives that best serve their rural communities. 

Litigation on Our Radar 

Federal Court Upholds Nationwide Injunction of Executive Order DEI 

On Oct. 30, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied the federal government’s motion to narrow and temporarily pause a preliminary injunction issued April 14. The injunction temporarily prevented the Department of Labor from enforcing a provision within the executive order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. As a result, DOL grantees and contractors will not have to certify that they do not operate programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to receive federal funds. 

The court maintained that the injunction is needed to provide complete relief to the plaintiffs and to safeguard free speech and conduct rights enumerated through the First Amendment. 

Appeals Court Considers Legality of Preventing Planned Parenthood from Accessing Medicaid Funding 

Following the passage of H.R. 1, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit to prevent the enforcement of a provision preventing organizations that provide abortions and receive more than $800,000 a year in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023 from accessing Medicaid funding. 

On Nov. 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held arguments after temporarily pausing a lower court’s decision and allowing the law to take effect while litigation continues. The order reversed the verdict issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, which prevented the rule from going into effect. The district court determined that the provision likely violates the Constitution by specifically excluding Planned Parenthood’s health centers due to their status as abortion providers.  

The Justice Department urged continued enforcement of the rule, noting that the Department of Health and Human Services does not intend to interpret the law to violate the First Amendment, although the guidance required to implement the provision remains pending. 

Recently, Planned Parenthood issued a report detailing the impact of lost Medicaid reimbursements and Title X funds, which led nearly 50 health centers to close since the beginning of 2025 due to insufficient funding. 

The report also arrives as seven states, including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington, have directed state funds to compensate for lost federal Medicaid reimbursements. 

A Series of Lawsuits Are Filed Against OpenAI, Alleging Psychological Harm 

Seven lawsuits were filed in the California Superior Court against the creator of ChatGPT, OpenAI Inc. The litigation centers wrongful death, product liability, consumer protection, and negligence claims, maintaining that ChatGPT contributed to multiple suicides and psychological injuries by prematurely releasing its GPT-4o model. 

The plaintiffs argue OpenAI engineered GTP-4o to maximize user engagement through features, like memory, simulated empathy, and overly agreeable responses. The design led plaintiffs to become emotionally reliant on the technology, replacing human connection, increasing isolation, reinforcing delusions, fueling addiction, and increasing the risk of suicide. 

The date the lawsuits were filed coincided with OpenAI’s introduction of its “Teen Safety Blueprint”, to identify users younger than 18 and increase the accessibility of safety features.   

HHS Provides Federal Court with Workforce Reduction Data    

In response to a court order following litigation regarding mass reductions-in-force issued during the government shutdown, the US Department of Health and Human Services outlined affected agencies and affected employees. 

Approximately 1,760 employees received termination notices, although several were unintentional and resulted from data discrepancies and processing errors. The lawsuit and a provision within the recent continuing resolution have since paused the layoffs.  

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California’s verdict protects 807 employees across the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The order does not extend to several employees within the CDC’s Immediate Office of the Director and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal & Child Health Bureau. 

Social Current is finalizing updates to its COA Accreditation standards, and we want your voice at the table. These proposed revisions are grounded in a review of published research and professional literature, developed in partnership with a diverse group of subject matter experts, and are now available for your input.

Download the documents of proposed changes:

Click the links above to download the Word documents to your computer. Each file includes simple instructions for submitting your comments. Submit feedback by Dec. 17.

We value and appreciate your insight and participation! Your field experience ensures that the COA Accreditation standards remain rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of individuals, families, organizations, and communities. The final updates will be released in spring 2026.

If you have any questions about the draft standards or the field comment process, please reach out to Melissa Dury, director of standards development at Social Current.

The social sector is currently navigating a turbulent landscape defined by funding cuts, destabilizing policy changes, and rising job insecurity. These pressures demand more than traditional management; they call for transformational leadership that balances pragmatism with vision. In times of volatility, leaders must not only safeguard organizational survival but also remain committed to the core values that bind their staff, board, and volunteers.

Sustaining morale while implementing difficult changes, such as eliminating staff positions, reducing programs, or even dissolving entire departments, necessitates balancing human sensitivity with organizational realities.

Change-ready leaders must:

This is often easier said than done, but the following practical frameworks, resources, and tools can be used to help you manage change.

The Essentials

Change Management Tools for the Adaptive Leader

There are dozens of change management frameworks and models, such as Lewin’s 3-Stage Model, the ADKAR Model, and McKinsey 7-S. Adopting a framework helps organizations approach change in a structured, consistent way that reduces uncertainty, improves communication, and increases the likelihood of successful, lasting outcomes.

Success Factors for Leading Change

For example, drawing from John Kotter’s foundational research, the following change management framework enables leaders to systematically design and sustain organizational transformation in eight key phases:

  1. Create a sense of urgency
  2. Build a guiding coalition
  3. Develop a clear vision and strategy.
  4. Communicate the vision consistently
  5. Empower employees and remove obstacles
  6. Generate short-term wins
  7. Sustain acceleration and build momentum
  8. Anchor changes in the culture

Change management frameworks can provide essential clarity and structure to your organizational change, ensuring alignment across your organization throughout every phase. In short, having an overarching change management framework improves the chances that the change will be adopted sustainably and successfully.

Prioritizing Changes

Leaders can increase the impact and longevity of change by making strategic choices about which projects to advance. When considering which changes to implement, leaders should utilize frameworks such as an Impact-Effort Prioritization Matrix, which plots possible initiatives and changes across two axes: Impact (low to high) and complexity (low to high).

 Low ComplexityHigh Complexity
Low ImpactQuick wins build momentum and show progress.

Examples: Revising forms, reducing minor costs		Avoid these where possible. They drain time without significant payoff.   Example: Implementing a complex data-tracking system for a metric that has limited relevance to service outcomes.
High ImpactPriority actions deliver strong benefits with manageable effort.

Examples: Adopting a digital client intake system		Strategic initiatives require extensive planning, resources, and staff engagement.

Examples: Restructuring service delivery, merging programs



By categorizing changes this way, leaders can identify and act on “quick wins” to maintain morale, prioritize high-impact actions that enhance efficiency, and carefully plan more complex transitions to reduce organizational fatigue.

Essential Change Management Questions for Leaders

Once you’ve decided which changes to implement, it’s crucial to approach each situation thoughtfully to determine the best course of action.

Social Current’s Senior Director of Leadership and Organizational Development Robena Spangler recommends these key questions to guide this process:

  1. Why change? (The rationale, need, or urgency)
  2. What is the change? (Specific details about what will be different)
  3. Who is impacted? (Specific details about who will experience change and how)
  4. When will it happen? (Share the timeline, milestones and key dates)
  5. What support is offered? (Available training, tools, resources)
  6. What is the benefit? (Connect the change to metrics and positive outcomes for staff, clients, and the organization)

Invest in Staff Development

Change-ready organizations should continue to prioritize staff development. Building staff skills enhances efficiency and helps to ensure employees are equipped to thrive in the evolving workplace. Consider focusing on skills such as stress management and resilience, coaching and feedback, management and leadership, trauma-informed supervision, and AI literacy.

Prioritizing professional growth also signals a commitment to staff. Ultimately, organizations that embrace transparency, strategically plan and implement change, and frame change as an opportunity for renewal while still acknowledging losses with empathy and authenticity, can emerge from crises more adaptive, resilient, and mission aligned.

Social Current provides a wide range of resources, including self-paced courses, an intensive leadership development program, the CEO convening, leadership coaching, and customized consulting solutions focused on workforce resilience. These offerings are designed to equip your team with the knowledge and skills to navigate change with confidence.

Social Current Solutions

Consultation Services & Upcoming Events

Executive Leadership Institute
Save the Date: May 10-14, 2026
The Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), offered in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, prepares senior-level managers and executives to lead into the future of human services. It moves beyond traditional leadership practices to next-generation leadership practices that fuel future-ready leaders and organizations.

In addition to a weeklong in-person event, students participate in a full year of online learning, which includes interactive presentations, small-group discussions, case study analysis, and more. To help students reinforce and apply their learning, they complete self-designed projects that address an organizational challenge.

Join a free webinar to hear from a recent alumni.

CEO Convening
Save the Date: Oct. 19-21
Social Current’s CEO Convening offers learning and networking tailored to CEOs and executive directors of human and social services organizations. By bringing together leaders who truly understand each other’s day to day, it will help you develop relationships, share challenges, find solutions, and build community. With facilitated sessions, the event’s programming emphasizes dialogue and collaboration to support an organization’s top leader and identify solutions.

Individual and Team Coaching and Support
Social Current offers customized consulting related to leadership development strategies and resources, training and presentations for teams and individuals on adaptive leadership principles, and leadership coaching.

Knowledge and Insights Center Resources

Whether you’re an emerging leader navigating the complexities of the social sector or a tenured leader seeking to refine your expertise, Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center (KIC) is your invaluable partner. Leverage our expertly curated resources to stay at the forefront of sector trends, implement best practices, and develop your leadership skillsets.

Center for Creative Leadership On-Demand Courses: Lead into the future of your organization with these on-demand courses from the Center for Creative Leadership Series. This dynamic collection of on-demand courses provides you with the essential skills and strategies to thrive in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Enroll now in these new courses:

Next Big Idea Book Club: Curated by bestselling authors Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink, this “virtual book club” highlights the most important nonfiction books of the past few years. The on-demand lessons distill groundbreaking books, so you gain a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and practices in a fraction of the time (less than 45 minutes). Impact Partners can access all our Next Big Idea courses by logging into the Social Current Learning Community.

Check out these Next Big Idea Book Club courses based on leadership books:

Business, Media, and Research Databases

From thousands of premium journals to the latest social sector news and media, Impact Partners have access to a wealth of evidence-based resources to help them overcome any leadership challenge.

Access these top three leadership Business Book Summaries:

  1. All Pride, No Ego by J. Fielding
  2. Bringing Up the Boss: Practical Lessons for New Managers by R. Pacheco
  3. Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic, and Innovation Mindsets for the Future by Gomes and Gerrard

Funding for the federal government lapsed Oct. 1, leaving agencies to rely on limited contingency funding to maintain essential services. However, as the shutdown stretches into November, remaining funding becomes increasingly strained and essential benefits endangered.

The challenges communities are facing continue to grow exponentially. 140 Head Start programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico, serving 65,152 children, are now operating without their annual federal funding. Providers are facing imminent financial challenges that directly threaten the sustainability of their programs and foster instability for children during critical periods of development.

Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Marketplace opened Nov. 1, a month before Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire. The credits have enabled more than 13 million Americans to enroll in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace by increasing the affordability of health insurance. Nearly 5 million individuals are expected to lose health insurance coverage in 2026 if the credits expire. 

Nonprofits similarly face substantial challenges in responding to the significant concerns communities are facing as federal grant and contract funding remains paused.

For further information regarding the shutdown’s impact, Social Current has published a brief outlining the rapid expected loss of key healthcare, housing, child care, and nutrition programs. 

Write to your representatives to share how the shutdown is impacting your community.

CFP Publishes Rule Reinterpreting the Fair Credit Reporting Act 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published an interpretive rule clarifying that the Fair Credit Reporting Act reflects national standards for the credit reporting system. Accordingly, states do not have the authority to restrict medical debts from credit reports. 

The rule follows the passage of legislation across more than a dozen states that have attempted to prevent medical debt from affecting consumers’ credit. It is expected to exacerbate challenges individuals face in accessing credit, especially as health insurance premiums are expected to rise beyond affordable levels.  

According to the Consumer Financial Bureau, an estimated 100 million Americans owe over $220 billion in medical debt. 

Department of Education Announces Final Rule Regarding Student Loan Forgiveness 

On Sept. 30, the U.S. Department of Education released a final rule, which amends the definition of illegal activity capable of preventing organizations from offering public student loan forgiveness.

Employees of organizations that participate in or support the following would be deemed ineligible, 

The rule is effective July 1, 2026.

FDA Announces Nine Voucher Recipients for the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) Pilot Program 

On Oct. 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced nine voucher recipients under the new Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) pilot program. The program accelerates the standard review process  to 1 to 2 months. Previously, the original process ranged from 10 to 12 months. 

Each medication was selected for its significant potential to address a major national priority. The FDA cited its capacity to address unmet medical needs, reduce downstream health care utilization, address a public health crisis, boost domestic manufacturing, and improve medication affordability with Most Favored Nation pricing.    

The medications selected include,  

Sector Updates from the Judiciary 

Federal Court Orders that SNAP Benefits Continue through the Shutdown

The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island ordered the Trump Administration to authorize funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through a designated emergency fund. The fund is insufficient to fully cover benefits for the entire month of November, but it serves as an essential stopgap to preserve nutrition assistance for more than 40 million Americans.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell ordered the Department of Agriculture to distribute the emergency funds as soon as possible.

A similar verdict was issued by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The court ordered that the USDA decide and report by Monday, Nov. 3 if the agency can provide reduced benefits through contingency funds or full benefits through additional funds.

Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Reductions in Force 

Following a temporary restraining order, the US District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction against mass reductions in force.  The notices were sent to an estimated 4,100 agency staff across six agencies during the ongoing government shutdown, approximately 1,100 to 1,200 of whom were employed by the US Department of Health and Human Services.    

The injunction will pause any existing layoff notices and prohibit new terminations, although it does not extend to notices issued before the lapse in federal appropriations.  

Appeals Court Upholds Injunction Against Iowa Immigration Law 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld an injunction, preventing the enforcement of a recently passed state law, SF 2340. The law authorizes law enforcement to file criminal charges against individuals with outstanding deportation orders or who had previously been denied entry to the U.S. Accordingly, individuals who later gained lawful status may be prosecuted under the law. 

The verdict affirms immigration enforcement is the federal government’s, rather than state governments’, Constitutional responsibility. The longstanding precedent promotes consistency, safeguarding against a potential patchwork of contradictory laws should states enact conflicting immigration laws. 

Federal Court Prohibits Retroactive Asylum Fees 

The US District Court for the District of Maryland temporarily paused policies that would have enabled the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to impose asylum fees retroactively. 

The district court determined the polices issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) would have caused irreparable harm to immigrant applicants. However, Judge Gallagher stated that she would consider a motion to reinstate the fees once USCIS and EOIR have enacted uniform policies that grant asylum applicants fair notice of fee deadlines, payment instructions, and explanations of the consequences for nonpayment. 

The lawsuit was filed by the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) following the passage of H.R.1, which mandated application fees for asylum applications beginning in July 2026. ASAP argued the agencies violated the Administrative Procedure Act by demanding payments from asylum applicants who filed claims before the law took effect. 

Federal Court Vacates Rule Prohibiting Transgender Bias in Health Care 

The US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi recently vacated a federal administrative rule intended to protect patients from gender-identity discrimination. The rule included sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics for programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and other programs receiving federal funding. It also aimed to preserve access to gender affirming care for transgender patients based on Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex for recipients of federal dollars. 

A coalition of 15 states successfully challenged the rule as the court concluded that the Department of Health and Human Services “exceeded its authority by implementing regulations redefining sex discrimination and prohibiting gender identity discrimination.” 

The order applies to all states, rendering it ineffective. However, the verdict is not expected to cause disruptions as it was paused before it could take effect. 

To grow the momentum and urgency around Five & Rising, we’re looking to select the second community cohort. Building on the foundation of the first cohort, this group will continue to advance the work and expand the movement by:

The first step in being considered for the upcoming Five & Rising cohort is to complete this initial application by Jan. 16. All applications will be screened with top prospects notified of next steps in February 2026.

To learn more about Five & Rising, visit the campaign website. Subscribe to receive updates via email and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

The federal government has paused all non-essential operations since Oct. 1 after failing to pass legislation to extend funding. Negotiations have primarily focused on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits before the next ACA Marketplace open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 1.

Enhanced premium tax credits lower the percentage of income ACA Marketplace enrollees pay for coverage. According to Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) estimates, if these credits expire, enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs would more than double.

Concerns about health care accessibility and affordability continue to grow alongside the ongoing effects of the government shutdown. Lapses in federal funding pose substantial challenges to nonprofits’ financial stability and to communities’ access to essential health and human services.

Funding for Community Health Centers and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) expired Sept. 30, along with Medicare telehealth flexibilities. Meanwhile, vouchers for Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and Title IV-B are frozen until the government resumes its required funding levels.

The impact continues to widen, with an estimated $28 billion in funding–reserved for more than 200 initiatives–now frozen or canceled across more than 100 Congressional districts.

Organizations that have received federal grants and contracts are encouraged to review the contingency plans of relevant agencies, along with their own grant and contract agreements. It is also critical to carefully document any missed reimbursements, delayed approvals, and paused monitoring. Finally, maintaining communication with congressional representatives remains essential to ensuring they understand the specific challenges your organization and community are facing. 

FNS Issues Guidance for the Implementation of H.R. 1 ABAWD Waivers

On Oct. 3, the Food and Nutrition Service issued guidance to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state agencies regarding the implementation of Sections 10102(b) and (c) of H.R. 1. The updated statute requires that areas must now have unemployment rates above 10% to qualify for time limit waivers for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs).

The guidance also introduces a special ABAWD waiver criterion and a new type of exemption for individuals residing in Alaska and Hawaii. Under H.R. 1, the Secretary of Agriculture now holds the authority to approve waiver requests for areas of Alaska and Hawaii with unemployment rates at least 150% above the national unemployment rate. The authority is effective immediately and does not expire.

CMS Aims to Redefine States’ Ability to Direct Federal Funding to Emergency Medicaid Coverage for Immigrants 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a letter to state Medicaid directors announcing that the agency will interpret an emergency Medicaid provision of the Social Security Act to apply only to payments for direct medical care.

Following the passage of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, all immigrants, regardless of legal status, became eligible for federally subsidized coverage in the event of a serious medical emergency.

While states are permitted to contract with insurers or managed care organizations to cover a broad range of services for beneficiaries at a fixed per-member per-month payment rate, CMS expressed concern over how some states have structured emergency care coverage and the resulting volume of requests for reimbursement.

As a result, CMS intends to limit the emergency Medicaid provision to apply only to payments for care and services necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition for individuals without legal status who are ineligible for full Medicaid benefits. This interpretation would exclude Medicaid managed care payments made on behalf of these individuals.

FNS Warns States Full SNAP Funding Cannot Continue Through November

On Oct. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) notified regional and state SNAP directors that full November SNAP benefits cannot be issued without congressional action to pass appropriations legislation.

SNAP supports more than 40 million individuals nationwide, ensuring consistent access to nutritious food. A lapse in funding would have catastrophic impacts on families already facing food insecurity.

In response, Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families has instructed counties and Tribal Nations not to approve new SNAP applications after Oct. 15 in anticipation of potential funding disruptions.

Sector Updates from the Judiciary

Federal Court Determines 501(c)(4) Exemption and Political Activity Standard Unconstitutional

In 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) denied the organization Freedom Path’s application for 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status after determining the organization had engaged in excessive political activity.

Under current law, 501(c)(4) organizations are required to “primarily” engage in activities that promote social welfare, while all other activities, including political activity, must remain secondary. However, clear limits do not currently exist. Previous rulings have suggested that exceeding roughly 15% of total activities may constitute excessive political involvement, though this threshold is not formally codified.

Further complicating compliance, the IRS applies a “facts and circumstances” test–a non-exhaustive list of 11 factors used to assess whether advocacy communications cross a line into a prohibited political campaign intervention. The test includes six illustrative scenarios, but lacks explicit definitions, leading to concerns about inherent arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement of the 501(c)(4) political activity standards.

Freedom Path subsequently filed a lawsuit, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the IRS guidance is unconstitutionally vague.  The court could not determine whether the organization was entitled to tax-exempt status as a result. Both the organization and the IRS have been ordered to propose new standards for 501(c)(4) tax-exempt eligibility and permissible political activity. While the ruling applies exclusively to Freedom Path, the resulting guidance from the IRS will offer clarity across the sector regarding the extent and nature of allowable political engagement for 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations.

Federal Court Temporarily Pauses Mass Reductions in Force

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a temporary restraining order against the most recent series of mass reductions in force, finding they are likely “illegal and in excess of authority.”

The order follows the dismissal of more than 4,100 federal employees across nearly six agencies, approximately 1,100 to 1,200 of whom were employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

An estimated 100 to 150 federal employees were dismissed from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), following a reduction of nearly half of the agency’s workforce in April. Reductions primarily occurred within the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Office of Communications.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) similarly distributed mass layoff notices. Reductions were concentrated within the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, which investigates claims of discrimination and abuse. Nearly 100 equal opportunity specialists who investigate fair housing complaints received reduction-in-force notices at field offices nationwide. The entirety of HUD’s Denver and San Francisco regional offices—overseeing 13 states combined—also received notices. Additional reductions extended to five other regional offices’ fair housing staff, as well as the division responsible for distributing and administering block grants for affordable housing and community development.

Appeals Court Upholds Abortion Access in Missouri

The Western District Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision pausing enforcement of Missouri state laws restricting access to abortion.

The decision follows the passage of Amendment 3, a constitutional amendment that overturned a near-total abortion ban and protected access to reproductive health care.

The court emphasized the irreparable harm caused by denying abortion care and issued a temporary injunction blocking several restrictive regulations. While the injunction remains in place, patients will not be required to attend two visits at least 72 hours apart before obtaining an abortion, and clinics will not be required to be licensed as ambulatory surgical centers.

Federal Courts Rule Against Grant Conditions

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), prohibiting the agency from requiring any recipients or subrecipients among the plaintiffs to agree to new conditions.

Domestic violence victim aid organizations filed the lawsuit following HUD’s attempts to condition federal grant funding in ways that would restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Under the temporary restraining order, HUD and HHS are also barred from requiring grantees to certify that they will not use funds to promote elective abortions or “gender ideology.”

The ruling came shortly after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a request from Planned Parenthood affiliates to vacate HHS guidance issued in July. That guidance required grant recipients to revise programming to recognize more than two sexes and to avoid violating parents’ religious beliefs.

This decision also follows the Trump administration’s prior pause on requirements for $1.3 billion in grants, which mandated that states assist federal immigration enforcement to qualify for Victims of Crime Act funding. The release of these conditions follows a multi-state lawsuit alleging that the requirements were unconstitutional and unrelated to the purpose of the grants.

North Dakota Upholds Law Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

The North Dakota District Court upheld a state law prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors. District Judge Jackson Lofgren cited concerns “regarding the capacity of minors to understand and appreciate the long-term consequences” of such care.

House Bill 1254 classifies a health care provider’s decision to prescribe or administer hormone treatments or puberty blockers to a transgender minor as a misdemeanor, and performing gender-affirming surgery on a minor as a felony.

Approximately half of all U.S. states have enacted similar bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

Federal Court Permits Enforcement of ACA Marketplace Changes

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts denied a coalition of states’ request to temporarily block the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule RIN 0938-AV61.

The rule introduces significant changes, including:

Collectively, these changes are expected to restrict marketplace eligibility and affordability under the Affordable Care Act. CMS estimates that between 725,000 and 1.8 million people will lose coverage in 2026 due to the final rule.

The lawsuit alleges that the rule is arbitrary and capricious, exceeding the agency’s authority and violating the Administrative Procedure Act. Plaintiffs challenge provisions that shorten enrollment periods, introduce a monthly $5 marketplace user fee, and exclude transgender health care from the list of essential health benefits subject to mandatory coverage.

Nevertheless, the court determined that states’ concerns regarding enrollment losses and fees were premature, allowing the rule to remain in effect while litigation continues.

Litigation on Our Radar

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on State Law Prohibiting Conversion Therapy for Minors

On Oct. 7, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging Colorado’s law prohibiting conversion therapy for minors.

Licensed counselor Kaley Chiles filed the lawsuit, arguing the law violates free speech protections. The Colorado law prohibits licensed mental health professionals from providing treatment intended to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Lawmakers passed the measure in response to growing evidence linking conversion therapy to increased depression, anxiety, and suicide risk. The ban aligns with guidance from leading medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics.

Justice Samuel Alito questioned whether the law constitutes “viewpoint discrimination,” while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked why medical professionals would receive differing constitutional protections based on treatment type. The case follows the Court’s recent decision to uphold a state law banning gender-affirming care for minors.

The Tenth Circuit previously upheld Colorado’s law, determining it regulates conduct rather than speech. If the Supreme Court finds that it infringes on speech, it will be subject to strict scrutiny—the highest level of judicial review. A decision is expected in summer 2025 and could affect similar laws in 27 states.

Supreme Court Considers Major Aspects of the Voting Rights Act

On Oct. 15, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case alleging that Louisiana violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause by creating a second majority-Black congressional district that relied too heavily on race.

The case raises the question of whether the Constitution permits the intentional creation of majority-minority districts to ensure minority voters can elect candidates of their choice. Previous courts have found such districts may be required under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits election rules that discriminate based on race.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh questioned whether race-based remedies under the Voting Rights Act remain justified six decades after its passage, emphasizing the need for eventual limits.

The ruling is expected to have major implications for congressional map drawing in Louisiana and several other states, potentially reshaping minority representation nationwide.

Subscribe to the Policy and Advocacy Radar to receive our biweekly policy roundup, which includes commentary on issues in Social Current’s federal policy agenda, opportunities to take action, and curated news and opportunities.

The social sector enters Q4 2025 grappling with numerous challenges. The last several quarters have been defined by a mix of financial instability, chronic workforce shortages, and significant policy shifts that have left many organizations struggling to keep pace. However, challenges can also create opportunities for transformation and growth. By embracing innovative strategies and leveraging its collective strength, the sector can forge a more resilient and impactful future.

To help leaders navigate this dynamic reality, this report, compiled by Social Current’s subject matter experts and Knowledge and Insights Center staff, highlights the critical trends at play and our relevant solutions.

Download the full trend report for insight and related Social Current solutions.

Specialized Research Tools for Human and Social Services

Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center offers a robust resources portal, which includes a digital clearinghouse library with over 20,000 records; aggregated research and business databases; diverse topic collections and library guides; original content summarizing complex information; and coaching that helps users maximize these resources.

As you plan for 2025 and beyond, make sure you’re utilizing all the tools in your toolbox. For more information about available tools and support, visit our website or contact the Knowledge and Insights Center.