Congressional Update
WHAT TO WATCH FOR FALL 2011
Appropriations Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction TANF Reauthorization Elementary and Secondary Education Act
FY2012 Appropriations
Continuing Resolution passed Oct 4th
Extended FY2011 spending levels untilNovember 18 with a 1.04% reduction.
FY2012 Appropriations
New Continuing Resolution should pass this week, extending programs until perhaps December 31, 2011.
Congressional Update
Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
Joint Select Committee
Goal is to reduce federal deficit by at least $1.2 trillion between FY2013 – FY 2021
Joint Select Committee
APHSA LETTER TO JOINT COMMITTEE
• Do no harm to those programs that provide support to our most vulnerable populations
• Consider reforms that provide for long-term improvements in outcomes and savings
• Provide states with more flexibility and options in administering federal programs
Joint Select Committee
JOIN SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION
Carte Blanche authority to address both revenues and expenditures
Joint Select Committee
JSCDR Recommendations not subject to amendment in either House or Senate
Simple majority necessary to pass Senate i.e. no filibuster
Joint Select Committee
Reforms Being Discussed
Combining
Child Care Development Block Grant
Social Services Block Grant
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
into one block grant.
Joint Select Committee
Joint committee must report recommendations by November 23, 2011
Must pass House and Senate by December 23, 2011
President must sign bill by January 15, 2012
Joint Select Committee
Sequestration
Joint Committee + Sequestration = $1.2 trillion
Goes into effect in FY2013
50% domestic and 50% Defense
On average 8% across the board cuts in domestic spending
Joint Select Committee
Exempt from SequestrationSocial Security (Mainly Title II)MedicaidMedicare beneficiariesSNAPTANFAcademic Competitiveness/Smart Grant Program Child Care Entitlement to States Child Enrollment Contingency Fund Child Nutrition Programs (with the exception of special milk programs) Children’s Health Insurance Fund Commodity Supplemental Food Program TANF Contingency Fund Family Support Programs
Joint Select Committee
Not Exempt from SequestrationMedicare providersWomen, Infants and Children (except Special supplemental nutrition program)Substance Abuse Block GrantMental Health Block GrantCommunity Services Block GrantPromoting Safe and Stable FamiliesSocial Services Block GrantsChild Care and Development Block GrantChild Welfare ServicesLow-Income Home Energy AssistanceCommunity Health Centers
Congressional Update
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Current Authorization Expires 12/31/2011
Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act
ESEA’s Reauthorization
Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act
ESEA’s ReauthorizationSenate
Chair, HELP Committee Tom Harkin (D-IW) draft bill marked up and ready for full Senate 800+ pages
House
Chair, Education & Workforce Committee John Kline (R-MN) wants to pass a bill in 2011 but no draft available
Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act
ESEA’s Reauthorization Bill
Senator Harkin’s proposal:Bi-Partisan but Controversial
Comprehensive Background Checks on Child Care Providers
•S. 581, Child Care Protection Act of 2011 (Sen. Burr, R-NC)
•H.R. 1726, Child Care Protection Act of 2011 (Rep. Ruppersberger, D-MD)
•H.R. 1711, Child Care Criminal Background Check Act of 2011 (Rep. Carson, D-IN)
Senate Hearings on CCDBG’s Reauthorization
•Hearing on Examining Quality and Safety in Child Care Programs
•Hearing on Quality Early Care and Education Programs
Recent Action from the Administration
• Revisions to CCDF State Plan Template & Release of New Online Tool and Guidance ▫ Includes new section on Quality
• Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge • Revisions to ACF 801 Form
▫ Includes new data elements on quality activities • Information Memorandums
▫Criminal background checks ▫Continuity of Care ▫Emergency Disaster Preparedness and Plans ▫Collaboration with Child Welfare
Presidential Memorandum--Administrative Flexibility
• On Jan 18, President Obama signed an Executive Order 13563 ▫Encourages cross agency collaboration and
streamlining federal program rules & requirements
• On Feb 28th President Obama sent a Memorandum to Heads of Executive Departments and Federal Agencies ▫Administrative Flexibility, Lower Costs, and Better
Results for State, Local, and Tribal Governments▫APHSA Partnership w/ OMB