FY 2025 Continuing Resolution and Child Welfare Policy
Plus what was in the ~$40M of discontinued ACF earmarks
Sans Shutdown, FY 2025 CR Cuts Child Welfare
Level on the Toplines, But…
On March 14th, 2025 the U.S. Senate approved the House continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through the end of FY 2025. Shutdown averted!
This CR keeps many allocations level to FY 2024. It reduces non-defense discretionary spending by about $13B and increases defense funding by about $6B.
Federal child welfare funding is mostly mandatory. The primary programs that rely on discretionary funds from appropriations are level funded under this CR:
A CR comes with elements that impact oversight and implementation of funding:
Flexibility. An administration has more leeway to reprogram funds to other purposes under a CR. This one has very broad categories to allow that.
Uncertainty. It’s harder to start new projects, execute contracts, or hire with short-term funding. Many programs take a cautious approach during a CR.
Lock-In. Multiple years of CRs means policies persist, with no Congressional investments or demand for new directions.
Inflation. Level funding erodes. Discretionary Title IV-B Subpart 1 would now need $293M just to have the same purchasing power it did in FY23 with $269M.
When we adjust the topline funding for inflation compared to FY23, we can see how this plays out across the discretionary programs.
But this is Child Welfare Wonk. We don’t just have toplines for you; we analyzed all 72 ACF earmarks that the CR ended to give you the deep details you need.
Updated Analysis on ACF Earmark Cuts
Much of the real-term (AKA not inflation-adjusted) discretionary spending cuts in the CR come from reducing Congressionally Directed Spending (AKA earmarks).
ACF had 72 FY24 earmarks totaling ~$40M. The CR continues 0 of them. Building on last week’s analysis, I dug deeper to show you some more perspective.
First up, you can see here all states losing at least $1M in ACF earmarks.
And for further insight, here are the top service categories losing out on those funds:
A parting thought; most of the child abuse earmarks are prevention, analogous to CAPTA Title II (CBCAP). A notable flag: these forgone funds equal ~6% of CBCAP.