Both the House and Senate have passed a fiscal year 2018 spending package that funds the federal government through Sept. 30, 2018. President Trump reluctantly signed the bill into law, stating that he “will never sign another omnibus such as this one, again.” The President also made a call to action directed toward Congress, to eliminate the filibuster tool and enable the right of the president to line-item veto in spending packages.

Although the bill unfortunately left out addressing important issues, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), there were some clear wins for health and human services. Many programs that grow and foster well-being for individuals, families, and communities received increases from FY 2017 funding levels and increases over what the President’s budget proposed for many of these programs. Programs, such as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, received an increase in funding despite being eliminated in the President’s budget. We highlight programs listed below that are important to the Alliance federal policy agenda and what we hear from the Alliance strategic network. All programs listed received increases from their FY 2017 spending levels or were newly appropriated, setting a precedence of importance for their funding in FY 2019 appropriations—a process that will begin immediately. 

Contact the policy office if there are any programs not listed here that you would like to know about by emailing Jennifer Ralston, associate director of policy at the Alliance. 

Child Care

*The bipartisan budget deal struck by Congress in February called for $2.9 billion, but this is still a significant increase and a win.

Aging

*$12,000,000 is for Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services Programs, a $2 million increase.

Education

Child Welfare

*Directs States to prioritize infant plans of safe care, including compliance with the requirements in section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii) of CAPTA. (neonatal abstinence syndrome))

**The intent of this money is to help develop navigator programs in states and localities that do not have them and to help existing programs get the evaluation they need or adapt their programs to meet evidence based standards in the Family First Act.

Health

Note: MIECHV was reauthorized and appropriated at $400 million each year for five years during the bi-partisan budget agreement

Housing

Communities