Search Results for keywords:"Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a final rule updating the regulations for the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Endowment Programs. This rule expands eligibility for research endowment awards to include certain Health Resources and Services Administration and NIMHD centers of excellence, following the enactment of Public Law 117-104. It also changes the program's name to honor John Lewis and revises outdated regulatory references. The changes aim to improve research capacity in minority health and address health disparities while adhering to current laws and guidelines.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule amending its Uniform Administrative Requirements to realign with statutory nondiscrimination provisions stated by Congress, thus significantly altering previous regulations. This rule focuses on requiring recipients of HHS awards to adhere to applicable federal statutory nondiscrimination laws and ensures compliance with relevant Supreme Court decisions. The action also addresses concerns that previous rules might violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by causing undue burdens on religious organizations. This change aims to provide clarity and stability for grantees, while planning to avoid issues related to RFRA compliance.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced updates to the rules for managing lead and copper in drinking water to better protect public health. These changes include improved methods to detect high levels of lead, enhance sampling reliability, and increase public awareness on the risks of lead exposure. For the first time, community water systems are required to test lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. The rule also aims to speed up the replacement of lead service lines and close existing regulatory gaps to ensure safer drinking water.

The document is a proclamation by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. declaring November 24 through November 30, 2024, as National Family Week. In this proclamation, he emphasizes the importance of family and highlights several efforts his administration has made to support American families. These efforts include economic recovery programs, investments in infrastructure, healthcare cost reductions, and legislative actions to protect marriage and reduce gun violence. The President invites Americans to celebrate this week with activities and ceremonies honoring the nation's families.

The Department of Health and Human Services has updated the name of the child support program from the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) to the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). This change aligns the program with its commitment to support entire families rather than just enforce child support. Additionally, the rule removes outdated terms and updates sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect the new name and facilitate modern Tribal processes and reporting for child support programs. These updates aim to enhance family self-sufficiency and clarity in regulations without imposing any financial impact.

The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA announced updates to the Income Eligibility Guidelines for children's meal programs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. These guidelines determine who can get free or reduced-price meals and free milk through programs like the National School Lunch Program and are updated to reflect changes in the cost of living. Income is calculated before taxes and includes various sources like wages and benefits, but some federal benefits are not counted as income. The updated guidelines help ensure the programs reach children who need them the most.

The Administration for Children and Families has issued a final rule permitting State and Tribal child support agencies to use federal funds to provide employment and training services to eligible noncustodial parents. These services aim to help parents find and keep jobs to ensure consistent child support payments. Effective January 13, 2025, the rule allows noncustodial parents with open child support cases to receive assistance such as job search help, skills training, and work support services. The initiative also seeks to enhance coordination with existing federal employment and training programs to prevent duplication and maximize benefits.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has announced funding awards to support public health initiatives in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. The awards, totaling approximately $32.5 million over five years, aim to improve disease surveillance, outbreak response, and public health preparedness in these countries. Each recipient government entity will use the funds to enhance laboratory systems, emergency management, and training of health professionals to better handle health crises. The program is designed to strengthen global health security by building capacity within these countries to quickly detect and respond to public health threats.

The Department of State has issued a new rule updating the eligibility for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). This change, effective December 10, 2024, now includes the surviving spouses and children of U.S. Government employees who have served faithfully for 15 years or were killed in the line of duty abroad. The rule aims to support recruitment and retention of local employees by ensuring their families can receive visas if the employee dies. These updates are in response to the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (ESSAA) and reflect the Department's efforts to enhance diplomatic staff's conditions globally.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has announced four awards to health organizations in Guinea, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Tanzania. These awards aim to boost public health efforts, including disease surveillance, outbreak response, and laboratory development, over a five-year period from 2025 to 2030. The total funding for these projects amounts to approximately $31 million, with specific allocations for each country's agency. This initiative seeks to strengthen global health readiness and the ability to respond quickly to health emergencies.