For this post, Myers and Stauffer continues to highlight components of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021[1] (ARPA) that can have tremendous impact on delivery and financing of services by state health and human services programs.

Under the APRA, $200 million has been apportioned for programs under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), including $198 million for grants to support survivors of sexual assault. This funding, 296 grant awards in total, will be awarded to states/territories, tribes, state domestic violence coalitions, national resource centers, Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Children grantees, and national hotlines.[2]  This additional funding will allow states to further build upon programs that provide domestic violence prevention and services.

Additionally, the ARPA allocates $350 million for programs under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). This funding is available beginning Federal fiscal year 2021 through September 30, 2023. This funding can be used by states to further invest in programs that promote the safety and well-being of children and families in their state. The Children’s Bureau (CB), within the Administration for Children and Families, stated in a memo dated May 5th, 2021, that grantees need to consider how these funds can help address contributing factors that lead to families entering the child welfare system. The CB identified working with substance-exposed infants and their families to develop and implement plans of safe care as an area of priority. Furthermore, the CB encourages grantees “to reach out to families and community-based agencies to plan for the use of these funds, so that they may be used to increase supports especially for black, brown and indigenous and LGBTQ+ children and families in underserved communities to mitigate risks and prevent child abuse and neglect.”[3]

If you would like to hear more information about how Myers and Stauffer can help with the establishment or expansion of programs under FVPSA or CAPTA or any other part of the ARPA, please contact us.

[1] https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57002

[2] https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grant-funding/fy2021-fvpsa-arp-supplemental-funding

[3] https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/pi2107.pdf

Contact the Contributors:

Jerry Dubberly, PharmD
Principal
jdubberly@mslc.com		 Alicia Jansen, RN
Senior Manager
ajansen@mslc.com