INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)
Download FFIS’s IIJA State Allocations Spreadsheet FFIS continues to populate its IIJA spreadsheet with new announcements on program implementation; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. A dedicated tab includes recently issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). New allocations are provided for:
- Program Upgrading Our Electric Grid and Ensuring Reliability and Resiliency (first round of awards)
- Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants (Formerly State of Good Repair; FY 2022-2023 awards)
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Requests Information on Challenges and Opportunities at the Interface of Wind Energy and Radar Technology DOE cites its intent to use a portion of $60 million from the IIJA for Wind Energy Technology Program activities for research, development, deployment, and demonstration activities related to mitigating radar interference and associated radar mission impacts caused by wind turbines. Responses, which are due by January 12, 2024, will inform DOE’s use of these funds.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces Get the Lead Out (GLO) Initiative Through the initiative, which is funded entirely by the IIJA and is in partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL), EPA will partner with 200 underserved communities nationwide to provide technical assistance to identify and remove lead service lines. Interested communities can request assistance by completing this form.
INTERIOR
United States Geological Survey (USGS) Announces $2 Million for Cooperative Agreements with 14 States Through Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) The funds will be used to study the potential for critical mineral resources in mine waste.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Issues Notice of Availability of Revised Stewardship and Oversight (S&O) Agreement Template This template will be used by each of the 52 FHWA Division Offices and states to develop and execute a new S&O Agreement within one year of the date of this notice. The template and additional information are available here.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
Download IRA State Allocations Spreadsheet The spreadsheet, updated weekly, lists state allocations and estimates, summary information on eligibility and other grant features, and links to additional information. New allocations are provided for:
- Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants (awards for the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Program and the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program)
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Posts Information on Forthcoming $2 Billion Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Funding Opportunity The program is funded through the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants program. The information provides potential applicants with a preview of key features of the program so they can prepare for application requirements that will be fully outlined in the funding opportunity.
TREASURY
Treasury Analysis Highlights How Policies to Address Climate Change Promote Economic Growth
CORONAVIRUS
FFIS Updates COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New or updated figures are provided for:
- Medicaid (temporary FMAP increase)
- FEMA Public Assistance
- Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits
HEALTH
CMS Shares Notice Considerations for Conducting Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Renewals The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) document shares state options for sending eligibility notices, provides sample notice language, and reviews considerations when implementing mitigation strategies to conduct renewals at the individual level.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Provides Details on LIHWAP Closeout Process The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) guidance covers record retention policies for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) grant recipients.
White House Council of Economic Advisors Releases Blog on American Rescue Plan (ARP) Child Care Stabilization Program The blog summarizes a new working paper, which shows how these resources helped families and child care providers. ACF also released an updated fact sheet on the program.
LABOR
DOL Publishes Report on Unemployment Insurance Modernization Funded by ARP The report documents the progress states have made and provides examples of innovative projects that may inform future modernization efforts.
TREASURY
Treasury Issues SLFRF “Obligation” Interim Final Rule The rule addresses recipients’ questions regarding the definition of “obligation” and provides other guidance related to the 2023 Interim Final Rule for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Comments close 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Treasury also released an Obligation Interim Final Rule Quick Reference Guide.
Treasury Posts Slides from SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Webinar The competitive State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) will award funds to support innovative and high-impact models for delivering legal, accounting, and financial advisory technical assistance to very small businesses (VSBs) and businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI-owned businesses).
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senate Finance Committee Approves Bipartisan Better Mental Health Care, Lower Drug Cost, and Extenders Act The legislation expands mental health care and substance use disorder services under Medicaid and Medicare, reduces prescription drug costs for seniors, and increases Medicare payments to support physicians and other providers. It also delays Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) cuts through FY 2025 and makes permanent the state option to provide Medicaid coverage for certain individuals in eligible Institutions for Mental Diseases. A section-by-section summary is here.
BUDGET UPDATE
House to Consider New Continuing Resolution (CR) With government funding under the current CR set to expire on November 17, House leadership released the text of a new stopgap funding bill to keep the government operating. Important characteristics of the bill include the following:
- The bill extends current funding levels and excludes new policy provisions.
- It has “laddered” extensions: funding for agencies covered by four appropriations bills—Military Construction-Veterans Administration, Agriculture, Energy-Water, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development—is extended to January 19, while funding for agencies covered by the remaining eight bills is extended to February 2.
- It extends expiring provisions of the 2018 farm bill by one year, to September 30, 2024.
- It excludes supplemental funding for Ukraine, Israel, the U.S.-Mexico border, and other purposes.
- It provides additional funding for Community Health Centers to cover until January 19.
- It delays Medicaid DSH payment cuts until January 19.
- It extends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Flood Insurance Program until February 2.
GENERAL
Agencies Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Protect Communities from Wildfire and Smoke Risks
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Releases Raise the Bar Policy Brief on Addressing Educator Shortages, Highlighting State Data The brief includes a host of state data visualizations on teacher diversity and areas in which states have particular shortages.
ED Hosts “Raise the Bar: Tackling Transfers to Increase Access, Improve Completion, and Prepare Today’s Workforce” National Summit The summit explored strategies to help students transfer from two- to four-year postsecondary institutions. New data identify institutions that are best promoting transfer students’ success and spotlight productive partnerships between community colleges and bachelor-degree institutions.
ED Launches New Campaign: “Teachers: Leaders Shaping Lives” The goal is to inspire more talented people—especially those from under-represented communities—to become teachers.
Nearly 5.5 Million Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE Plan Enrollees in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan include 2.9 million with $0 payments. State data are here.
ED Posts OESE Newsflash: PK-12 Grantee News for November 2023 The newsletter includes updates from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE).
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Posts List of Resources to Support Military-Connected Children with Disabilities
OSEP Releases Resource Outlining Centers that Support Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
OSEP Issues Policy Letter Regarding Provision of Equitable Services to Eligible Students Enrolled in Virtual Private Schools A related letter addresses how to determine the location of virtual private schools for purposes of providing equitable services.
Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), ED Send Letter on Connecting Students to Affordable Health Insurance Through Medicaid, CHIP, or the Affordable Care Act The letter targets institutions of higher education (IHEs).
Dear Colleague Letter Reminds Schools of their Legal Obligations Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 The letter responds to increased public reports of harassing conduct in colleges, universities, and P-12 schools related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
ED Seeks Approval to Collect Annual Performance Report (APR) Data from Charter School Programs (CSP) State Entity (SE) Grantees ED is requesting authorization to collect data through a new online platform. Comments close December 13.
ENERGY
DOE and USGS Release Comprehensive Database of Domestic Large-Scale Solar Energy Projects The database is available here. A paper describes the dataset, and a webinar to explain the dataset and the online viewer will be held November 16, 1:00 p.m. ET (register).
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Launches Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Public Dashboards The dashboards can be used to download data on SRF financial assistance to states and disadvantaged communities, project type, and more.
EPA Issues Final Rule to No Longer Categorically Preempt State Regulations of Non-New Locomotives and Engines EPA would retain exclusive regulation of new locomotives and engines. The rule is effective December 8.
EPA Issues Notice of Data Availability (NODA) Related to Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Proposed Rule, Seeks Comment EPA is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule for the limited purpose of obtaining public comment on additional information that may be relevant to the development of a final rule. Relevant documents can be accessed here. Comments are due December 11.
HEALTH
CMS Releases Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Monitoring and Oversight Tools CMS provided additional updates and reminders on the web-based reporting portal and the reporting requirements for managed care programs, announced the release of several new technical assistance toolkits, and provided an update on its process for review and approval of managed care contracts, rate certifications, and state directed payments.
CMS Provides Guidance on Adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions to State Medicaid, CHIP Applications States are not required to add these questions but have the option to do so consistent with the guidance.
CMS Launches ‘Birthing Friendly’ Designation on Care Compare Online Tool The new designation is intended to identify hospitals and health systems that participate in a statewide or national perinatal quality improvement collaborative program and that implement evidence-based care to improve maternal health.
CMS Releases Contract Year 2025 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Proposed Rule CMS highlighted the following sections of interest to states (a fact sheet is available here):
- Increasing the percentage of dually eligible managed care enrollees who receive Medicare and Medicaid services from the same organization
- Changing contracting standards for dual eligible special needs plan look-alikes
- Expanding permissible data use and data disclosure
- Limiting out-of-network cost-sharing
- Updating the multi-language regulation
SAMHSA Releases 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released its annual report focused on mental health, substance use, and treatment related behaviors. The administration also released additional information, including state-specific information, on its domestic supplemental spending request for State Opioid Response Grants and drug trafficking prevention.
Administration Releases New Guidance, Call-to-Action for Employers and States to Strengthen Response to Opioid Epidemic The administration released new guidance for employers to create recovery-ready workplaces. It also announced that the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association (LAPPA) developed model legislation for state governments to support the creation and development of recovery-ready workplaces.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Awards Funds to Advance Equity in Child Welfare System ACF awarded $4 million to eight organizations to enable communities to identify and lead targeted solutions to inequitable access to services at varying points across the child welfare continuum.
ACF Releases First Quarter Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Awards ACF awarded $210 million in FY 2024 funding.
HHS Releases Early Childhood Workforce Data Snapshots, Convening Brief The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) summarized key takeaways from the August 2023 convening where states presented on how they use data to respond to early childhood workforce issues. It also published data snapshots that feature exemplary state partnerships and activities that support data use.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Posts FY 2023 National Dam Safety Program State Assistance Awards FEMA distributed $6.25 million to 49 states and Puerto Rico. IIJA funds were not used for this round of awards.
FEMA Releases Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers The guidance is available here. FEMA will host four webinars between November 14 and 29 to provide an overview of the guidance (registration available here).
FEMA to Host Webinar on Management Costs Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) It will be held November 16, 2:00 p.m. ET (register through the link above).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Letter Urges Action to Address Homelessness The letter outlines HUD resources and policies.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Proposes Allowing E-Rate Support for Wi-Fi Hotspots for Off-Campus Use The E-Rate program is formally known as the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support program. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
FCC Extends Comment Deadline for Proposal to Allow E-Rate Support for School Bus Wi-Fi The new deadline is November 30.
FCC Proposes Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program The pilot would provide funding to eligible K-12 schools and libraries to defray the qualifying costs of receiving the cybersecurity and advanced firewall services needed to protect their E-Rate-funded broadband networks and data. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Announces $18.24 Billion in FY 2023 Energy Revenue, Distributes $4.72 Billion in Revenue Sharing Payments to 33 States The revenue and disbursement data are available here.
National Park Service (NPS) Awards $21.9 Million in Competitive Grants Through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Announces Funding Opportunity for $224 Million The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program awards are available at the link above. Applications for the Round 7 funding opportunity are due April 30, 2024.
DOI Seeks Input to Inform Development of Environmental Justice Strategic Plan DOI will host three listening sessions to gather input:
- November 30, 3:00 p.m. ET (register)
- November 30, 6:30 p.m. ET (register)
- December 1, 3:00 p.m. ET (register)
Comments may also be submitted to DOI by email to [email protected]. Additional information is here.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Award $7.4 Million for Chesapeake Watershed Investments to Landscape Defense (WILD) Projects
LABOR
DOL Posts Guidance on Equitable Access in Unemployment Insurance Programs The guidance aims to support states in ensuring access to unemployment benefits for all eligible workers, including those from historically underserved and marginalized communities.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Awards $52 Million Through Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program The total includes $41.8 million in Nutrition Incentive funding to 19 awardees, $5.2 million in Produce Prescription awards to 11 awardees, and $7 million to one awardee through the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information (NTAE) Center.
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collection for 2023 Survey on Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs Comments will be accepted through December 13.
FNS Seeks Applications for Demonstration Projects to Evaluate Direct Certification with Medicaid for School Meal Programs Applications are due January 15. All State agencies that administer the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are eligible to apply.
FNS Posts Webinar Recordings
- Early Guidance on Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program
- Guidance on Performance Standards, Budgets, and Management Plans in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Evaluating and Approving SFSP Budgets
TREASURY
IRS Provides Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2024 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announcement provides annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including tax rate schedules.