Breaking Down Silos to Address Maternal and Infant Mortality: Lessons from the Local Level

On July 16, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) (P.L. 119-26) was signed into law, marking a major turning point in the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, granting law enforcement the authority to combat the growing threat posed by synthetic opioids. The law’s enactment follows years of temporary extensions that placed these substances under federal control on a provisional basis.  

On July 24, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country. 

This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services relaunched applications for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pilot Program, authorized by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

“When youth are asked what helped them the most, they might name a program, but they will absolutely name a person that believed in them,” Leslie Boissiere told the General Session audience.

The South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center is a “one-stop shop” the city and the children’s hospital created to improve community wellness and make it easier for people to get their needs met.

Join us for an insightful webinar focusing on child welfare specifically designed for county governments. We will delve into evidence-based practices, informed funding decisions, cost efficiencies, and effective program management. Key areas of discussion will include out-of-home placements, prevention services, and reunification services.

Hosted by UnitedHealthcare, this session will explore alternative health plan approaches that prioritize price transparency and promote the use of high-value providers, including models like the Surest Health Plan.