Alex J. Adams retweeted
Preserving Social Security survivor benefits for foster youth can provide them with a financial foundation that leads to better outcomes. Yet New York is one of a handful of states that continues to divert these earned benefits away from foster youth and instead use these funds to reimburse state child welfare costs.
On average, the “orphan tax” only accounts for 0.2% of a state’s child welfare budget. This is budget dust for a state, but resources that could make all the difference to a child aging out of foster care.
New York could end the “orphan tax” today.
@ACF_Adams joins @NY1 to explain.
Alex J. Adams retweeted
Today, I’m proud to take @VP’s pledge to fight fraud.
At @ACFHHS, our responsibility is clear: protect taxpayer dollars and ensure benefits reach eligible children and families—not fraudsters.
We are working with the @WHFraudTF across all our programs and tightening the bolts on our regulations that the Biden administration had loosened.
I am grateful to the @VP for his leadership and commitment to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across our government. We are just getting started.
Alex J. Adams retweeted
Today, nearly 25% of states continue to divert earned Social Security survivor benefits from foster youth. Yet, every governor has the power to end the “orphan tax” practice today.
Watch as @ACF_Adams tells @NEWSMAX👇
Alex J. Adams retweeted
@POTUS, @VP, @SecKennedy, @DrOzCMS, & @ACF_Adams have been strong partners in getting waste, fraud, and abuse out of our taxpayer-funded public assistance programs. They’ve been diligent in giving state governments like ours the tools we need to act.
So when I learned that due to a loophole left by Congress, cash welfare could be spent on things like alcohol, tobacco, porn, tattoos, psychic and fortune-telling services, and luxury watches, I signed an Executive Order to stop it. And with this prompt approval from our federal partners, Nebraska is one of the first states to end this waste.
The federal government has approved Nebraska’s request to bar temporary financial assistance for tobacco, tattoos, psychic readings, video games and other “inappropriate and nonessential purchases.” nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/10…
Alex J. Adams retweeted
A year ago today, I was sworn in by @SecKennedy as the Assistant Secretary for Family Support leading the Administration for Children and Families at @HHSGov.
Thank you @POTUS for the opportunity to serve America’s children and families. In just 12 short months, ACF significantly improved the foster care system by delivering on @FLOTUS Fostering the Future executive order, expanded access to child care, reformed welfare programs, and reduced our agency’s administrative burden for grantees.
And the work has just begun!
Alex J. Adams retweeted
More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 6 men experience sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetimes. This is why, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, HHS is working across teams to invest in proven resources to prevent domestic violence and strengthen families.
@ACFHHS has issued a call for new domestic violence prevention services and is awarding $237 million to local organizations that help prevent family violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and provide critical services to communities across the country.
Meanwhile, the @CDCgov is working to implement these evidence-based violence prevention strategies at both the state and local levels through their Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) program.
Learn more from Assistant Secretary @ACF_Adams and CDCDirector @DrSchwartzCDC:
Alex J. Adams retweeted
Prevention has officially met its match
ACF has expanded the reimbursement rate for prevention services that are designed to strengthen families and prevent entries into foster care.
Instead of a 50 percent flat rate, each state will now be reimbursed at their state’s Medicaid match rate. For example, Ohio will now receive 65 cents back per dollar spent.
“If we can prevent entry into foster care by supporting families, wrapping around families and stabilizing families, we can prevent removal of the trauma associated with it,” @ACF_Adams tells @SpecNews1Triad.
Learn more: spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/tri…
Alex J. Adams retweeted
Under the leadership of @SecKennedy, HHS will always stand in support of children and families.
Today, @ACF_Adams and @Dr_Haridopolos announced that expectant parents are now eligible to receive federally-funded services that teach parenting skills, strengthen mental health, and address substance use disorder in hopes of preventing unnecessary entry into foster care.
These prevention services are now available for moms and dads whose baby is determined to be a "candidate for foster care." Providing support to a struggling parent before a baby is born strengthens families and reduces the risk of a child welfare involvement in the future.
Alex J. Adams retweeted
All 50 states have joined A Home for Every Child, and with 30 new and approved Program Improvement Plans (PIPs), early analysis shows states are rallied behind ACF’s initiative and focused on high-priority, high-yield strategies.
A new op-ed from ACF leadership in @TheImprintNews overviews trends in the new PIPs and how access to real-time data will drive state competition and action.
Read more: imprintnews.org/opinion/a-cl…
Alex J. Adams retweeted
ACF is making a $2.2 million investment to modernize child welfare licensing infrastructure in 14 jurisdictions to help expedite the placement process for foster youth.
“Across the country, outdated equipment and technology, along with inefficient systems, have slowed required background checks during the placement process. These barriers can hold up the approval of qualified kin, foster families, and prospective adoptive parents — making it harder for children to be placed quickly in safe and loving homes,” @ACF_Adams explains.
Learn more from @TheImprintNews: imprintnews.org/youth-servic…
Alex J. Adams retweeted
At House of Mercy in Iowa, I joined @IAGovernor Kim Reynolds, @KathrynBurgum, and @ACF_Adams to advance a simple goal: help parents recover, protect children, and keep families together.
Thank you, President Trump, for championing the Great American Recovery Initiative and making recovery a national priority. 🇺🇸
Alex J. Adams retweeted
More than a dozen states continue to steal Social Security survivors benefits from foster children.
Learn more about the "orphan tax" and ACF’s mission to end it across the nation: youtube.com/watch?v=L0xVZOwd…
Alex J. Adams retweeted
“It’s one of the most pernicious forms of government I’ve ever come across,” said Assistant Secretary @ACF_Adams on states stealing survivor benefits from foster youth.
Alex J. Adams retweeted
ACF is awarding $7.3 million to 10 states to strengthen their capacity to implement and sustain evidence-based services that help prevent unnecessary entries into foster care.
“ACF’s Prevention Accelerator Grants give states the tools to turn proven prevention strategies into services that can reach more families before challenges become crises.”—@ACF_Adams
Learn more: acf.mobi/4xNtJQv
Alex J. Adams retweeted
This is an incredible program doing really innovative work. Thanks @RepBrianFitz for the opportunity to see the Bucks IU Early Learning Center in action!
Last summer, the moment Bucks County Intermediate Unit leadership alerted me that Head Start funding was at risk, I got to work—partnering closely with their team and pressing federal decision-makers and the White House to understand exactly what was at stake.
We had two goals:
✅ Keep funding in place through the end of the school year.
✅ Secure a full five-year renewal so families could plan with confidence.
We accomplished both.
Today, I brought leaders from HHS to the Bucks IU Early Learning Center so they could see firsthand just how indispensable these programs are to children and families across Bucks County, and meet directly with the incredible teachers, therapists, professionals, and parents I work alongside who bring that mission to life every day.
We focused on how to strengthen federal support, tackle ongoing workforce challenges, and protect the full range of services—from early intervention and developmental support to health, nutrition, and family services—that make the IU model so effective.
My sincere thanks you to my friend Dr. Mark Hoffman and the entire Bucks IU team—together, we will continue working ensure Head Start remains strong and thriving for every family and child in our community.
Alex J. Adams retweeted
Thrilled to welcome HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams to Alice for a visit to the Head Start Birth to Five Program and a roundtable with local parents and faculty.
We delivered a major victory for early childhood education by securing $225 million for Head Start, including $348,110 dedicated to local learning centers throughout South Texas.
Alex J. Adams retweeted
Watch: @ACF_Adams, head of the federal government's Administration for Children and Families, joins @ASwoyer on The Sitdown to discuss his yearlong push to prevent states from imposing an 'orphan tax' on children in foster care.
