Senate Appropriators Set Aside $2 Million for Researching Evidence-Based Post-Adoption Services
As expected, the Republican-controlled House and Democratically-controlled Senate appear to be far apart in their proposed federal appropriations for the coming fiscal year (FY 2024), which begins October 1.
However, the two sides seem closer on adoption-related programs. The Senate has also set aside $2 million for researching evidence-based post-adoption services that would qualify for funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act, a Voice for Adoption priority.
Overall, it is unclear if the two chambers will be able to overcome their differences and finalize a spending agreement this year. The House has proposed cutting the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill, which covers most child welfare and health-related funding, by $60.3 billion, a 29% cut from current spending levels. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, the federal government could face a government shutdown or a full-year continuing resolution, which would flat-fund all federally appropriated programs at this year’s levels.
Most of the proposed FY 2024 spending numbers are now available from the Senate, where the Appropriations Committee passed its version of the Labor-HHS bill (S. 2624) on July 28. A House Appropriations subcommittee passed its version of the same bill on July 14, but the full committee must still act on it. The associated committee report, which contains most of the details, is not yet available.
Still, many of the outlines of a spending deal on adoption-related programs are beginning to take shape, including the following:
Adoption / Guardianship Incentives Program: The Senate bill sets aside $70 million for this program, cutting it by $5 million below FY 2023 levels. The House subcommittee bill flat funds the program at $75 million.
Adoption Opportunities Program: The Senate flat funds this program at $51 million and includes a VFA-endorsed $2 million set aside for research on evidence-based post-adoption programs that qualify for Family First funding. The details of the House appropriation are not yet clear.
Promoting Safe & Stable Families: The Senate bill appropriates $417.5 million for this program, a $14 million cut from FY 2023. Under current HHS regulations, at least 20% of this amount must be set aside by states for adoption programs. The details of the House appropriation are not yet clear.
Mental Health Block Grant: The Senate allocates $1.022 billion for this program, a $35 million increase from FY 2023. The details of the House appropriation are not yet clear.
Work on these bills is slated to continue in September when Congress returns from its August recess. A final agreement, if it occurs, seems unlikely until later this fall at the earliest.
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