ACF News

This week, the Administration for Children and Families’ Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announced the availability of $19 million in supplemental grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). ANA is currently accepting grant applications from Tribal governments and organizations designated by Tribal letter, for the distribution of this ARP relief funding. This funding is designated to assist Tribes and organizations as they seek to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.

Today the Office of Child Care (OCC) at HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released guidance for states, territories, and tribes on how they can use the nearly $15 billion in supplemental Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds provided by the Biden-Harris’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) to support children, families, and child care providers.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the official launch of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). This first-of-its-kind water assistance program will expand access to more affordable water and help low-income households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their water and wastewater bills, avoid shutoffs, and support household water system reconnections related to non-payment.

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Family and Youth Services Bureau at the Administration for Children, Youth and Families awarded $200 million to support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Program grantees. Funded through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), these programs make immediate crisis intervention and safety planning services available to victims of domestic violence nationwide; reduce the prevalence of domestic violence in geographically isolated Alaskan Native villages; and promote resiliency and healing for children exposed to domestic violence. This funding will provide 296 supplemental grant awards that will reach states/territories, tribes, state domestic violence coalitions, national resource centers, Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Children grantees, and national hotlines.

HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding for the Children’s Bureau, which has been disbursed to states and territories. ARP includes critical funding to support state and community efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect during a time when children and families are experiencing increased hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Today, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released guidance to support states, territories, and tribes in distributing $24 billion in relief funds for child care providers. The guidance explains specific requirements related to the child care stabilization funds and identifies opportunities for states, territories, and tribes to leverage these resources to support a wide range of child care providers.   

Today, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the release of $4.5 billion in relief funds through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help low-income families afford home heating and cooling costs and meet unpaid electric and natural gas bills. These funds will also help families make cost-effective home energy repairs.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services released its “First 100 Days” report detailing key accomplishments made towards goals established by the Biden-Harris Administration. The report focuses on historic investments in child care, education and development industries, increased support for children, families, and communities as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, restoration of a child centered focus for unaccompanied children, and establishment of new ways of carrying out our mission that are more inclusive, collaborative, and focused on racial equity.

Today, President Joe Biden announced the release of $39 billion in child care relief funds to provide relief for child care providers and provide support for families that need help affording child care.

This week, HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded new Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnership and Early Head Start Expansion funds to 62 agencies in 32 different states and Puerto Rico. The grants will provide Early Head Start services encompassing early learning and development, health, and family well-being to 5,100 infants and toddlers and their families.