Policy & Practice | Winter 2025

“We shouldn’t make states ask for waivers just to navigate a one-size-fits-all rule.”

modernization—data, technology, and promoting technological solutions. One preview: the executive order specifically calls out predictive ana lytics. Counties like those in Colorado, Allegheny County, and LA County have already done interesting pilots, and Idaho is the first state on the brink of rolling out predictive analytics. This technology could help with place ment matching (improving stability), retention of foster homes, and identi fying prevention opportunities at intake. With each piece of the executive order, we have actions teed up. It’s now about sequencing and main taining a cadence of follow-up—with an action imperative. Agency Collaboration Throughout the conversation, Adams highlighted the importance of collaboration across federal agencies—particularly HHS, CMS, and behavioral health partners—to address the needs of high-acuity youth who often enter child welfare because of unmet mental health needs. These youth, he noted, represent a significant portion of children entering care in many states and require coordinated, cross-system strategies to avoid inap propriate placements or reliance on congregate care. As the conversation widened beyond child welfare, Adams also reflected on the broader portfolio of programs under ACF’s umbrella, including child care. While he is still in the early days of assessing federal child care policy, he noted the significance of the Trump administration’s past investments in child care and pointed to concerns raised by states about the most recent federal rule. He argued, when nearly every state seeks a waiver from the same regulation, it signals a deeper design issue—not a compliance one. Adams suggested that ACF should not be in the business of forcing one-size fits-all solutions that fail to reflect local contexts or operational realities. As he continues meeting with state leaders, Adams emphasized openness to exploring ways to expand flexibility while upholding high standards for children and families. Shifting away from child care policy, Adams kindly shared some intel about

his soon-to-be-announced leader ship team. He emphasized the value of bringing “outsiders”—leaders with strong state experience—into federal roles, paired with federal experts who understand the mechanics of policy implementation. He even noted that APHSA members may see familiar faces joining the agency’s ranks. ALEX ADAMS: I’m building a team that pairs former state leadership and federal insiders. There’s no merit in knowing state challenges if you can’t operationalize solutions at the federal level. We’ve also pulled in folks from the Hill into my immediate office, so we can translate state gripes into federal actions. REGGIE BICHA: That’s awesome. We’re eager to hear who the next tier of leaders will be at ACF. From what you’re describing, it sounds like we may see some former APHSA members joining your team. Need for Feedback When asked how APHSA and its membership can best support ACF’s work, Adams emphasized the value of candid, aggregated feedback. He acknowledged that states sometimes hesitate to voice concerns directly to federal agencies and stressed that intermediary organizations like APHSA play a critical role in lifting up shared challenges and solutions. He reiterated that ACF is committed to collaboration, creativity, and rethinking what federalism should look like in this administration. REGGIE BICHA: You were an active member of APHSA while you served in Idaho. How can our associa tion and our membership best engage with you and your team as you take on these ambitious changes? ALEX ADAMS: First, I have to compliment APHSA. When I was a state member, I tried to participate

actively and found it to be a tremen dous resource of peers. Being able to have honest conversations behind closed doors, share experiences, and learn from other jurisdictions—as a former APHSA member, I can attest that the services you provide are high quality and top-notch. As a federal official who may not be able to participate in those calls now, the question becomes: How do I tap into that resource? I appreciate you and Sheila [APHSA’s Vice President of Membership and Policy] coming out to discuss what federal engagement could look like. I’m very interested in hearing directly from states. But states are sometimes reluctant to give direct feedback to federal agencies, fearing it might be used in future audits. Associations like yours play an important intermediary role—aggregating concerns, serving as a neutral convener. Know that I’ve kept your phone number, and I will probably keep you on speed dial. REGGIE BICHA: Anytime. Anytime. Thank you for the compli ments. We’re all about improving outcomes for kids and families, and I know you are too. We’re ready to work together to make it happen. Alright, what’s something folks should know that I didn’t think to ask? ALEX ADAMS: Probably the main thing I’d re-emphasize is this: When I leave office at the end of this administration, I want every state’s ratio of foster homes relative to foster kids to be above 1—ideally because the denominator has gone down through prevention, legal advocacy, timely reunification, and permanency and the numerator has gone up through effective recruitment, retention, and kin licensing. But, the only way we achieve A Home for Every Child is through state partnerships. So, know that our door is open for any state official. We are open for business.

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Winter 2025 Policy & Practice