Series on HHS Strategic Plan: Goal 3—Strengthen Social Well-Being, Equity, and Economic Resilience

HHS is dedicated to improving the social well-being and economic resilience of all Americans. Through its programs and support, HHS seeks to provide families and individuals with pathways to economic equity.

Objective 3.1—Provide effective and innovative pathways leading to equitable economic success for all individuals and families

Facilitate the enhancement of systems and the development of partnerships throughout the federal government to coordinate resources and technical assistance for individuals and families seeking to attain and maintain economic independence.

Strategies

Strategies for Objective 3.1 involve collaboration and awareness.

• Strengthen the capacity of states, tribes, and territories to broaden the coverage of safety net programs, enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, streamline eligibility determination, and enhance enrollment processes. This aims to provide effective assistance in addressing the economic conditions of underserved populations.

• Promote collaboration among states, tribes, and various programs and systems to ensure that individuals and families aspiring to achieve economic security can access income and housing support, safe and nutritious foods, health insurance, education, training, and essential work supports like child care and transportation.

• Increase awareness and guarantee the provision of language assistance services for individuals with limited English proficiency and auxiliary aids and services for those with disabilities across all communities. This includes communities disproportionately affected by economic and historic inequalities, with a focus on enhancing eligibility awareness and access to HHS programs, services, and activities.

HHS Objective 3.2—Strengthen early childhood development and expand opportunities to help children and youth thrive equitably within their families and communities

HHS invests in strategies for equitable early childhood development, promoting the well-being of children and youth within their families and communities. This includes fostering physical, emotional, intellectual, language, and behavioral development while supporting families and caregivers.

Strategies

The strategy for Objective 3.2 focuses on early childhood development.

• Aligned with HHS department SNAP Benefits Eligibility Determinations, this strategy involves implementing interventions and multidisciplinary programs for early childhood development and learning. Key actions include aligning eligibility and program requirements across family-serving health and human service systems, providing family navigation support to reduce service gaps, and enhancing access to stable, affordable, high-quality early care and education settings. This extends to promoting participation in early childhood programs for underserved communities and populations, incorporating lessons learned from successful inclusive practices.

Objective 3.3—Expand access to high-quality services and resources for older adults and people with disabilities, and their caregivers to support increased independence and quality of life

HHS is investing in strategies to improve access to high-quality services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. This involves enhancing system capacity with person-centered processes, policies, and supports across various settings, including home and community-based environments.

Strategies

Strategies for Objective 3.3 focus on engaging communities and healthcare partners in this mission.

• Collaborate with individuals and families that depend on or have depended on HHS support to ensure processes, policies, and supports meet their needs.

• Support healthcare partners, states, tribes, tribal organizations, and community organizations to expand infrastructure and improve coordination of resources such as in-home services, transportation, digital equipment, broadband access, and healthcare. This aims to address the day-to-day and long-term needs of older adults, persons with disabilities, and caregivers.

Implications for State and County HHS Departments

HHS workers must have a comprehensive understanding of eligibility requirements for SNAP Benefits and related programs to align them effectively. This may involve additional training or the use of new technology to ensure accurate and consistent application of eligibility criteria.

Workers play a crucial role in providing family navigation support to reduce service gaps, necessitating effective communication skills, empathy, and the ability to guide families through the complexities of accessing early childhood development services.

Advocacy for resources and policies to enhance access to stable, affordable, high-quality early care and education settings is essential. Additionally, workers must advocate to improve access to services and resources for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, requiring active participation in discussions, making recommendations, and potentially engaging with policymakers.

Given the focus on underserved communities, workers must enhance their cultural competence, understanding and respecting cultural differences in early childhood development practices to ensure inclusive and effective programs. Workers may need to adjust their approach to be more individualized and tailored to the unique needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

Incorporating lessons learned from successful inclusive practices requires HHS workers to remain open to continuous learning and adaptation. This may involve attending training sessions, workshops, or staying informed about best practices in early childhood development or the necessary elements for quality care of older adults and individuals with disabilities.