ACF News

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Assistant Secretary January Contreras and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean participated in a family enrollment event for both the Head Start early care and education program and benefits for food purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Thursday, April 21, 2022, following bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra formally swore in January Contreras as Assistant Secretary at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced the award of more than $385 million to help families and individuals with their energy costs. This release follows recent significant investments in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and congressional appropriations.

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the expansion of the eligibility period for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RAM) from 8 months to 12 months for populations whose date of eligibility for benefits is on or after October 1, 2021.

Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra publicly announced the formation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking (the Task Force). The Task Force will facilitate implementation of the priority actions HHS has committed to in President Biden’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking , as well as strengthen HHS’ human trafficking prevention and intervention efforts with a focus on partnerships, equity and open data.

The $100 million is the first installment of the five-year, $500 million investment in the program provided from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With historic investments from the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Continuing Resolution, the Biden-Harris Administration has spearheaded the largest distribution of funds over a 12-month period since LIHEAP was established in 1981.

Today, the Children’s Bureau at HHS' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released the 31st Child Maltreatment Report. The report reveals that of the 3,145,000 million children who were the subject of a child welfare agency response in fiscal year 2020, 618,000 children were determined to be victims of maltreatment, compared to 656,000 victims in 2019. A total of 76.1 percent of these victims suffered from neglect alone or in combination with other maltreatment types, while 16.5 percent of victims suffered from physical abuse either by itself or in combination with other maltreatment types.

To help mitigate the disproportionate level of violence experienced by Native Americans, three HHS agencies developed a public service announcement (PSA) campaign on domestic violence awareness.

Today, the White House released the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, recognizing the impact of human trafficking on public health, public safety, and national security. The Action Plan’s comprehensive framework reaffirms the U.S. government’s commitment to preventing and responding to human trafficking, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to ensure short- and long-term well-being. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released the 2020 Crisis Services and Prevention Data Report , which reinforces the importance of supporting organizations and programs working to prevent run away incidents and end youth homelessness. Critical information about the needs of youth who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and how these programs and communities nationwide can meet the needs of youth in crisis is highlighted. It also highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people experiencing homelessness.