Kristen Torres

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) just released a report on the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), Child Welfare: HHS Should Clarify Guidance on State Spending for Congregate Care . The report examines limits on Title IV‑E funding for congregate care, state experiences, and HHS oversight, ultimately calling on HHS to clarify spending guidance for “at-risk” youth while highlighting gaps in care caused by rapid deinstitutionalization. However, its findings also reveal a...

Human services agencies are under unprecedented pressure. Tight federal deadlines, expanded work requirements, and stricter compliance rules are stretching staff and systems to the limit. At the same time, Congress and federal agencies are racing to set rules for AI, from safety standards to ethical use. For nonprofits, local governments, and advocates, understanding AI isn’t optional anymore; it’s essential for managing workloads, meeting compliance requirements, and shaping the future of...

On January 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a dramatic freeze on roughly $10 billion in federal child care and family assistance grants for five states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York — over alleged fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars in state-administered programs. HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF) notified the governors of the five states that access to key funding streams is now restricted pending review....