Volume 1 Issue 12 - July 28th, 2025

“Here’s what I know: Time must be explicitly managed, like money. You can always change your plan, but only if you have one. Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things? Develop a good filing system. Rethink the telephone. Delegate. Take a time out. Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.” - Randy Pausch

Happy Monday!! Can you believe that it is almost August?!?! This year has been a cluster and a half, but we're still here!! How is back-to-school prep coming? Lots of things are getting added to our calendar and it becomes more important than ever to start learning how to balance and keep all the plates spinning. Let's set up a call this week to plan out your goals and set some routines in place to help build the structure we crave with the flexibility needed for life.

What's the Buzz?

Grab the fam and gather 'round the kitchen table! It's time to go over what this week is going to look like. Here's what's happening across our communities this week:

On the Home Front - National News & Your Family's Well-being

Oh my goodness, there's quite a bit happening that could impact families across the country this week! As Jess C's Mom and a family advisor, here's what caught my eye:

Key National News Affecting Families:

• Concerns over USDA Reorganization and Nutrition Programs: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics just sent a letter to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary expressing worries about a big reorganization at the USDA, and how it might affect critical food and nutrition services for families. This is a big one, as these programs are so important for feeding our kids.

• Military Families' Health Care: There's bipartisan legislation, the "Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act," being re-introduced that aims to let adult children of military families stay on TRICARE until age 26, just like private plans. This could save military families a lot of money – potentially up to $8,724 per year! It's about fairness for those who sacrifice so much for our country.

• Surge in Family Caregivers: A new report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving shows that over 63 million Americans are now family caregivers, which is a huge jump from a decade ago. Many are managing financial risks and their own health while caring for loved ones, often without pay. They're calling for federal policies like paid family and medical leave and tax credits to help. This highlights a growing need for support for these incredible individuals.

• Housing Assistance at Risk: There are concerns that proposed plans could lead to more families with children losing HUD housing benefits, which would be a big challenge for those already struggling to find affordable places to live.

• Cuts to Domestic Violence Programs: The current federal budget proposal being discussed in Congress might significantly reduce funding for programs that aim to prevent domestic violence. This could leave many vulnerable individuals and families without crucial support.

• Child Care Tax Credit in North Dakota: On a more positive local note, North Dakota is set to offer a new child care tax credit for employers, which is a step toward addressing the child care crisis there. We need more of this kind of thinking across the nation!

• National Parks Fee Changes: The White House announced a new policy to increase national park entry fees for foreign tourists, aiming to improve affordability for U.S. residents and expand opportunities for American families to enjoy the parks. So, if you're planning a family trip to a national park, keep an eye on how that unfolds!

• Child Abuse Prevention Funding: Prevent Child Abuse America is raising concerns about proposed cuts to critical child abuse prevention programs in the President's FY26 budget. They are also advocating for a federal law to end corporal punishment in schools, which 18 states still permit.

• Immigration Raids and Family Support: In Los Angeles, business leaders and the Archbishop have started a fund to help families affected by recent immigration raids, highlighting the "climate of fear" in immigrant communities.

It's a lot to take in, isn't it? As a family advisor for The Hive Social Garden, my goal is always to help us all stay informed and connected so we can navigate these things together. It really emphasizes why places like The Hive Social Garden are so important – we're here to help families navigate this ever-evolving world and build sustainable, inclusive communities. We want to provide community care and education to help empower families.

Things in the House

It looks like the House has a relatively light schedule on the floor for the week of July 28, 2025.

Here's what I'm seeing:

• Tuesday, July 29th: The House is scheduled to meet for a "pro forma" session at 5:00 p.m.. Now, a "pro forma" session is usually a very brief meeting, often with no legislative business, just to keep the official calendar moving along.

The House of Representatives is scheduled for a "State Work Period" from August 4th to September 1st. This means that Representatives are on there way home to their districts for about a month. This is a great time to connect with your Representatives while they are not having to deal with life in Washington, DC, so if you have something on your mind, now would be a perfect opportunity to get in touch!

What the Senate is doing this week?

Senate Floor Activity:

• Monday, July 28th: The Senate convened at 3:00 p.m.. They are set to resume consideration of nominations in Executive Session. Specifically, they'll be working on Executive Calendar #85, Sam Brown, of Nevada, to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs. At approximately 5:30 p.m., there's a vote scheduled on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #273, David Wright, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. If cloture is invoked, there will be up to two hours of debate before a confirmation vote on that nomination. Following that, they'll vote on a motion to invoke cloture for Executive Calendar #110, Earl Matthews, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense.

• Tentative Schedule: The Senate's general schedule for 2025 indicates that August 4th through September 1st is a "State Work Period". This means they'll likely be in their home states during that time.

Committee Meetings and What They're Working On:

Committees are where a lot of the real work gets done, dear. Here's what's on their plate this week:

• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:

  • Monday, July 28th, 5:30 PM (EDT): A business meeting to consider pending calendar nominations.

  • Tuesday, July 29th, 3:00 PM (EDT): Hearings to examine perspectives on reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act. This is important for our farmers and food supply!

• Senate Committee on Armed Services:

  • Tuesday, July 29th, 9:30 AM (EDT): A closed briefing on "Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER".

• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:

  • Tuesday, July 29th, 10:00 AM (EDT): A business meeting to "markup" an original bill titled, "ROAD to Housing Act of 2025". This sounds like it could be very important for families looking for affordable housing!

• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations:

  • Tuesday, July 29th, 10:30 AM (EDT): Hearings to examine certain nominations.

• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence:

  • Tuesday, July 29th, 3:00 PM (EDT): A closed business meeting to consider pending calendar business, followed by a closed briefing on intelligence matters.

• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:

  • Wednesday, July 30th, 9:30 AM (EDT): A business meeting to consider pending calendar nominations.

• Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP):

  • Wednesday, July 30th, 10:00 AM (EDT): A business meeting to consider several bills. These include:

    • S. 2292, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user fee program for over-the-counter monograph drugs.

    • S. 1440, relating to leave for commissioned officers of the Public Health Service.

    • S. 2301, to reauthorize certain programs regarding rural health care.

    • S. 1727 and S. 1728, which are bills related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and expanding membership of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans. This committee is specifically planning a "markup" to consider three ESOP bills this week. This is great news, as it could really help workers have a bigger stake in their companies!

    • An original bill titled the "Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act". This sounds important for public health, especially with all the talk about ticks these days!

Around the World - Global Events with Potential Impact

There's always something happening in the world that can ripple across to our homes here in the USA, isn't there? As a family advisor, I always try to keep an eye on these things. Here's what's been making headlines globally that could affect American families:

• Changes to Federal Public Benefits for Immigrants: A big policy change just took effect on July 14, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They've updated the definition of "federal public benefits" to include 13 new programs, like Head Start and family planning programs, which can now bar many lawfully present and undocumented immigrants from accessing them. This could have serious negative impacts on the health and well-being of immigrant families, especially since many include U.S. citizen children. There's a lot of confusion and concern about how this will be implemented, and it could lead to more families being hesitant to seek out important services.

• Global Hunger and Food Prices: A UN report called "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2025)" was just released, showing that while global hunger has declined a bit, it's actually rising in Africa and western Asia. The report also highlights that global food price inflation has consistently outpaced general inflation since 2020, hitting low-income countries particularly hard. While we might not feel the direct impact of hunger here as much, global food prices and instability can certainly affect supply chains and the cost of food at our grocery stores, impacting our family budgets.

• Refugee and Immigration Policies: There are ongoing challenges to the current administration's refugee ban and efforts to resume the refugee admissions program. This affects thousands of refugees who have been conditionally approved for resettlement, including vulnerable families and children. There are also reports of continued immigration enforcement activity, including raids, which are creating a "climate of fear" in immigrant communities and impacting businesses and daily life in places like Los Angeles. These issues can weigh heavily on American families, particularly those with immigrant relatives or friends.

Things to Keep on Our Family Radar This Week

Okay, families, Jess C's Mom here with some important things to keep on your radar this week, the week of July 28, 2025! We always want to be prepared, right?

Here’s what I think is important for us to know:

• National Parks Access: Good news if you're planning a family trip to a national park! The White House announced a new policy to increase national park entry fees for foreign tourists, aiming to improve affordability for U.S. residents and expand opportunities for American families to enjoy the parks. So, it might be a little easier on your wallet to enjoy nature with the kids!

• Housing Assistance Changes: Keep an eye on discussions about federal budget proposals. There are concerns that some plans could lead to more families with children losing HUD housing benefits. This could create challenges for those relying on assistance to find and keep affordable housing, so it's something to monitor.

• Child Care Support: For North Dakota families, there's some positive news! The state is set to offer a new child care tax credit for employers. This is a step toward addressing the child care crisis in that state, and hopefully, we'll see more states follow suit. It's a reminder to stay informed about local and state initiatives that could help with child care costs.

• Military Families' Health Care: If you have military connections, or just care about our service members, there's bipartisan legislation called the "Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act" that's being reintroduced. This bill aims to allow adult children of military families to stay on TRICARE until age 26, similar to private plans, potentially saving military families a significant amount each year. It's about ensuring our military families get the support they deserve.

• Domestic Violence Program Funding: It's concerning, but current federal budget proposals might significantly reduce funding for programs that prevent domestic violence. This could leave many vulnerable individuals and families without crucial support, so it's something to be aware of and advocate for if you feel strongly about it.

• Global Food Prices and Supply: While we might not feel it directly every day, a recent UN report highlighted that global food price inflation has consistently outpaced general inflation since 2020. This affects low-income countries particularly hard, but global food prices and instability can impact our grocery bills here at home too.

• New Federal Public Benefit Definitions for Immigrants: A big change happened on July 14, 2025, regarding federal public benefits. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated the definition to include 13 new programs, like Head Start, which can now potentially bar many lawfully present and undocumented immigrants from accessing them. This could have serious impacts on the health and well-being of immigrant families, including U.S. citizen children within those families. It's causing a lot of concern and confusion, so if you or someone you know might be affected, it's crucial to seek reliable information and support.

• Family Caregivers: A new report shows that over 63 million Americans are now family caregivers, a big jump from a decade ago. Many are managing financial risks and their own health while caring for loved ones, often without pay. This really highlights the need for more support for these incredible individuals, like paid family leave and tax credits. It's a good reminder to check in on any caregivers in your life.

As your family advisor at The Hive Social Garden, my goal is always to help us stay informed so we can navigate these things together and support our community!

Jess C's Mom's Two Cents

Alright, here's my two-cents for this week, from one American mom to others:

This week really highlights how interconnected our lives are, both nationally and globally. We're seeing everything from shifts in federal benefits for immigrant families to concerns about domestic violence program funding and even the cost of food worldwide. It can feel like a lot to keep track of, can't it?

My biggest piece of advice for this week is to stay informed, but also to stay connected within your own community.

• Be Aware, Not Overwhelmed: It's important to know what's going on, especially with policies like the changes to federal public benefits that could deeply affect vulnerable families. But don't let the news overwhelm you. Focus on what you can control and where you can make a difference.

• Support Local Initiatives: Seeing things like North Dakota's new child care tax credit for employers reminds us that positive change can happen at the local level. Pay attention to what's happening in your own town and state. Can you support a local family service organization, or advocate for similar initiatives?

• Reach Out and Connect: The report on the surge in family caregivers truly tugs at my heartstrings. Many of these folks are stretched thin, managing finances and their own health. This week, check in on a friend, neighbor, or family member who might be a caregiver. A simple phone call, an offer to run an errand, or just a listening ear can make a world of difference. That's what community care is all about!

• Utilize Resources: If you find yourself facing challenges, whether it's housing concerns or needing support for your children, remember that organizations exist to help. That's precisely why The Hive Social Garden is here – to provide online access to community care and education, and to help families navigate this ever-evolving world. Don't be afraid to seek out resources or ask for help.

In a world that sometimes feels chaotic, remembering our common humanity and supporting each other as families and communities is more important than ever. Let's make sure we're fostering that culture of kindness, empathy, and mutual respect that The Hive Social Garden believes in. You've got this!

Upcoming Events for The Hive Social Garden

• The Mysterious Bea-nedict Society - First Monday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on August 4th for mentorship and coaching

  • Queen Beas (25+)

  • Queens-in-Training (age 18-24)

• Sowing Circles - Second Thursday of Each Month at 8 pm EST in the Hive - Join us on August 14th for Show and Tell what you are working on in your garden. Whether crafting or planting, we love to share our creations!

• Femme in STEM - Third Tuesday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on August 19th!

• The Honey Bea Coven - Third Wednesday of Each Month at 1800 EST (Link will be emailed) - Join us on July 23rd

  • Sparks (age 14-17)

  • Tinker Fairies (age 5-13)

• Byte-Sized Adventures - Planned adventures in time and space, exploring quantum intelligence, social engineering, and sustainable globalization... To come play with us, you have to find us first

  • Pokemon Go August Community Day August 30th

• Virtual Summer Camp is in full swing!! - The goal is to fund our Mobile Innovation Center while educating the public on how to secure their private information and intellectual property, share their experiences in non-judgmental environments, and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all. All of this is part of our larger goal of helping work towards the United Nations Sustainability Goals for Agenda 2030.

Additional Services Available to Members of the Hive Social Garden (Let me know if you'd like to get started with these):

• Family Album - Organize your pictures and share securely with family!! Also order photo gifts.

• PrivacyBee - Cleaning up your digital footprint and protecting you against spam, doxing, fraud, scams, extortion, identity theft, and cyber bullies!!

• Monarch Money - Budgeting and Savings!! Protecting your bottom line from subscriptions that you no longer use, are of no use to you, and are difficult to cancel because you have to make 47 calls to cancel.

• Communitique - On Communitique, you can find new or well-maintained clothes in your fit and style for free, and easily pick them up in your area.

Have a fantastic week, everyone!