Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

?? RELEASE: Last week, the Children’s Bureau (CB) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) regarding the recent guidance from the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMS) titled Best Practices for Adhering to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Coverage Requirements for Eligible Children and Youth Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. The DCL underscores the significance of the new CMS guidance, particularly for child welfare leaders working to address healthcare needs. This includes using healthcare strategies to prevent children from entering the child welfare system and to support the needs of children and youth in foster care. Additionally, the DCL outlines suggested actions for child welfare leaders to collaborate with their Medicaid counterparts, helping to ensure that Medicaid services are effectively integrated across systems. Together, we can ensure that all children and youth have the health care, services, and supports necessary to thrive. Get the latest: https://lnkd.in/g8krvpka

There's #HopeforHomelessYouth! ACF's Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) highlights programs that serve young people experiencing homelessness and ongoing efforts to address housing instability. Read the latest Family Room blog here: https://acf.mobi/4i1qfm5 #YouthHOPEMonth

Director Garvin had the honor of visiting several Tribal communities in 2024. He learned so much from seeing how early childhood programs were working to preserve cultural traditions while supporting Tribal children and families. ?? #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

JUST IN: HHS through the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Trafficking in Persons is announcing the formation of the National Advisory Committee on the Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States. Get the latest: https://lnkd.in/gCVXGymY

Despite being a time for family, reflection, and joy, it is common to feel added stress during the holidays, which can worsen symptoms of a mental health condition. A survey conducted by NAMI found that 64% of individuals living with a mental health illness reported that their symptoms worsened around the holidays. With the holiday season fast approaching, take some time to practice self-care to enhance your relationship with yourself and those around you. Visit: https://bit.ly/47FibSf

OPRE would like to spotlight Jesse Coe, who is a Social Science Research Analyst in OPRE's Division of Family Strengthening. Her work focuses on human services programs that aim to support children and their families, including projects related to healthy marriage and relationship education, responsible fatherhood, prevention of intimate partner violence, and early childhood home visiting. https://lnkd.in/ev6d_k6W

ACF wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving! As you travel to be with your loved ones, keep in mind that seatbelts save lives! Be sure you and your passengers buckle up. For more tips on how to stay safe during Thanksgiving, visit https://lnkd.in/eAnXBinM. #HappyThanksgiving #drivesafe

?? The ECLKC is moving to HeadStart.gov! ?? This URL change will make it easier to find trusted resources and help Head Start programs connect with more children, families, and staff. Head over to the FAQ page for all the information you need on this exciting update! ? https://lnkd.in/gpgBMkhR #NewHeadStartURL #ComingSoon

OPRE is on LinkedIn! Connect with us for highlights from our research and evaluation work, and information about grant opportunities and events. https://lnkd.in/exYsjUxZ https://lnkd.in/euuZd9MW

This new brief from OPRE and James Bell Associates presents findings from the process study of the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (THV) Continuous Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC). Lessons to consider when seeking to implement a CQIC approach in an Indigenous context include: Ensure sufficient resources are committed up front by building in an extensive planning period, allocating funding for appropriate staffing, and devoting time to creating resources. Prioritize a culturally informed and collaborative approach to developing the structure, activities, and resources that are a part of a CQIC initiative within Indigenous contexts. Work closely with partners to identify meaningful and feasible measures that limit burden, align with the chosen topic, and can accurately reflect improvements. #TribalHomeVisiting #Evaluation #CQI https://lnkd.in/eS8uP6Jb