On May 11, the first step to the appropriations process began with the House drafting 302(b) sub allocations, which drive the funding targets for 2012 spending levels.  Overall, the House Appropriations Committee designated $1.019 trillion in discretionary funding for the 12 subcommittees, which is a $30.38 billion less than the 2011 Operating Plan level and a $121.565 billion reduction to the 2012 President's budget request.  Section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act (CBA) of 1974 requires that the total budget authority and outlays be allocated to each House and Senate appropriations committee. Approval of the budget conference report signals adoption of concurrent budgets in the House and the Senate, which sets funding levels and does not require the President’s signature.

The grant reductions that support Human Services in state governments will include:  Adoption Assistance, Child Abuse Prevention and Training Act, Promoting Safe and Stable Families, Foster Care, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care Development Block Grant, Head Start, Chafee Independent Living, and Education and Training Vouchers.  These reductions will force state agencies to re-evaluate how funds have been previously used.