Volume 1 Issue 22 - October 6th, 2025
- Jess C's Mom
- Oct 6
- 10 min read
"There is more to life than simply increasing its speed" – Mahatma Gandhi
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.
On the Home Front: National News & Your Family's Well-being
The looming government shutdown we discussed last week is no longer a threat—it's a reality.
The Critical Issue: The Federal Government is SHUT DOWN
As of 12:01 AM on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the federal government has officially entered a shutdown because Congress failed to pass the necessary appropriations bills for the 2026 fiscal year. We are now six days into this funding lapse, and there is still no deal in sight.
The disagreement remains rooted in partisan conflict over federal spending, specifically the Democratic push to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and the Republican stance against those demands.
What a Shutdown Means for Families NOW (Day 6 and Beyond):
Federal Employees: Approximately 900,000 federal employees have been furloughed, and another 700,000 are working without immediate pay. If you have neighbors who are federal workers, please reach out to see how you can help.
Essential Services Continue: Services deemed essential, such as Social Security, SSI, Medicare, and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, are generally continuing, as they are funded through mandatory or advanced appropriations. Essential safety-critical activities, like air traffic control and federal law enforcement, also remain operational.
Impacted Agencies: Many agencies face partial or full suspensions of operations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Education Department, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the WIC program. This means delays in federal contracts, regulatory approvals, and resources for community programs that are not considered "essential".
National Parks/Museums: These will largely remain closed.
Local Impact: This is an "unprecedented opportunity" to scale back federal operations, according to some administration officials, which includes withholding funding for projects like green energy and transportation, impacting our local D.C. area economy.
Where to Administer Pressure:
The Senate returned to Washington today, Monday, October 6th, with no deal. Negotiations are happening, and your voice is needed now more than ever.
Make a Call: The Capitol switchboard is still operating at (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Senators, as the Senate is the current sticking point. Tell them you demand an end to the shutdown that protects vital family healthcare programs and supports our community's federal workers.
Things in the House and Senate: Key Bills Moving
There are several pieces of legislation that are critical for us to follow as parents:
Adoptee Citizenship Progress: The bill to grant automatic U.S. citizenship to all intercountry adoptees, known as the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act (PAAF) in the Senate (S. 2923) and the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2025 in the House (H.R. 5492), continues its journey. This bill is a potential life-changing fix for thousands of adult intercountry adoptees who currently lack citizenship due to a loophole in the original law that excluded those who were too old at the time the law was enacted. We need to keep pushing our representatives to pass this life-saving bill.
The SAVE Act Update (H.R. 22): The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (H.R. 8281 in the last Congress, now H.R. 22 in this one) has passed the House and is now pending review in the Senate. This bill would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, like a passport or birth certificate, to register or update their registration to vote in federal elections.
Family Impact: Critics note this could disproportionately affect millions of married women and intercountry adoptees who may not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name. It would also effectively end mail-in and online registration in many states, requiring in-person registration with the correct documents. This makes it a crucial bill for all civic-minded families to track.
Weather and Health: Fall Immunizations and New Options
The focus on fall health is more critical than ever, especially with potential disruptions to health-focused agencies during the shutdown.
Flu Shot Recommendations (2025-2026): The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to recommend that all healthy people aged 6 months and older get an annual flu shot.
New for Families: For children 6 months to 8 years old who are getting their flu shot for the first time, they still need two doses given four weeks apart.
New Delivery: The FDA has now approved the nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist, for self- or caregiver administration for those aged 2 through 49. The option for a caregiver to administer this vaccine to a child aged 2 through 17 is expected to be available for the 2025-2026 season. This could be a game-changer for parents of younger kids!
Access: Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is available for children 6 months through 18 who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or American Indian/Alaska Native. Most of the projected supply of flu vaccine for this season is anticipated to be thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced.
Around the World: Global Events with Potential Impact
Global stability is closely tied to our local community's well-being, especially now with the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
Global Economy and Your Wallet: The Shutdown's Ripple Effect: This U.S. government shutdown isn't just a domestic issue; it sends shivers through international financial markets.
Financial Market Jitters: Analysts estimate the shutdown could reduce U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, which can weigh on global markets. While investors often "look through" a short shutdown, the permanent layoff threats and the potential for a prolonged closure are creating unusual uncertainty.
Delayed Data: The shutdown has immediately delayed the release of key economic reports (like the Bureau of Labor Statistics' jobs report). This lack of reliable data complicates decision-making for central banks, international investors, and global businesses, which can lead to cautious spending and slow growth overseas, eventually impacting supply chains and prices here at home.
Travel and Immigration: Non-fee-funded services at U.S. Embassies and Consulates could face delays, though visa processing should continue for now. However, if you have any international travel plans, be aware that the fluid situation could lead to temporary suspension of some consular services if the shutdown continues.
The Digital World and Our Safety: A Critical Vulnerability: Our Hive Social Garden mission to secure private information is more critical than ever, and unfortunately, the shutdown has created a significant new risk.
Cyber Information Sharing Act (CISA) Expiration: A major U.S. federal law that facilitates information sharing between the government and the private sector on cyber threats, the CISA of 2015, expired on October 1st. Because Congress failed to reauthorize it before the shutdown, cyber threat coordination between private companies and federal agencies has been dramatically reduced.
Increased Threat: This lapse creates a "more complex and dangerous" security environment. International cyber threats, including sophisticated ransomware and deepfake scams, are already on the rise, and now our national defenses are operating with less real-time information.
What this Means for You: Our community needs to be extra vigilant. Your family's digital security—strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and being wary of phishing emails—is now a more essential form of community self-defense against global actors.
Things to Keep in Mind: Balance and Reflection 🧘♀️
This week is a deeply significant one for reflection and family unity, and a time to focus on safety and acceptance within our homes and community.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM): October is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and sharing resources for those affected. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence thrives in silence. As a community, our role is to break that silence.
Action for Families: Use this month to talk to your children and teens about what constitutes a healthy relationship and how to set firm boundaries. Teach them that respect and nonviolence are non-negotiable.
Local Resources (Confidential 24/7 Hotlines): If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, please reach out.
Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-360-7273
Loudoun County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline: 703-777-6552
Prince William County (ACTS) Domestic Violence Services: 703-221-4951
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Coming Out Day (Saturday, October 11th): This annual awareness day, observed on October 11th, celebrates the courage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) individuals who choose to live openly and authentically. It is an occasion for celebration and reflection.
Significance for Families: The idea is grounded in the belief that homophobia and prejudice diminish when people know and love someone who is LGBTQ+. For parents, this is a beautiful opportunity to be fierce allies to your children, their friends, and your neighbors.
Action for Allies: Use Saturday as a day to celebrate openness, practice radical acceptance, and show your solidarity. Let your children know your home is a safe, non-judgmental space for them and all their friends to be their authentic selves. Support organizations that work toward LGBTQ+ equality in our schools and community.
World Mental Health Day (October 10th): On Friday, October 10th, we observe World Mental Health Day. With the anxiety surrounding the shutdown, the political tension, and the real-world impact on our neighbors' financial well-being, our collective stress level is high.
Focus: Take a conscious moment on Friday to prioritize your family's mental and emotional health. Talk to your children about how they are processing the uncertainty, and make sure you are practicing self-care—whether it’s a fall walk, a digital detox, or seeking community support. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
International Day of the Girl Child (October 11th): On Saturday, October 11th, we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child.
Focus: This is a wonderful opportunity to have a family discussion about gender equality, promoting girls' rights, and addressing discrimination globally. Celebrate the young women in your life and encourage them to be leaders in your home, school, and community.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (All October): October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Action: Encourage the women in your family (and the men, who can also be affected) to prioritize check-ups. Early detection saves lives. Use this month to support a local organization and remind your loved ones to get their screenings.
Find Your Family's Balance: The Libra season is still with us, symbolizing harmony and equilibrium. With the weight of national events, actively work to make your home an intentional place of peace. Negotiate and communicate with your partner and children about responsibilities and feelings. The celestial energy this month is encouraging a focus on relationships and a review of your life's path—use this energy for a family reset.
We're in this together, and we will face all of these issues with strength and compassion.
Jess C's Mom's Two Cents
It's a tough week, my friends. We are now living through the shutdown, and for our neighbors who are federal employees, the stress on the family budget is immediate and real. The Hive Social Garden's mission is to help families navigate an ever-evolving world, and right now, that means being a resource and a support system.
Remember, the Garden's whole purpose is to disrupt power-based violence through online access to community care and education. Advocacy is community care. Make the call to Congress—it’s an act of community self-defense.
And on the home front, with the chaos swirling, make sure you are modeling balance and reflection. Turn off the news, have that family discussion, and find a safe, non-judgmental space to connect with your kids. We are stronger together.
Stay safe, stay informed, and most of all, take care of your own Hive. We'll get through this.
Upcoming Events
Sources for "Family Issues" Publication (October 6, 2025)
I. On the Home Front: National News & Your Family's Well-being (Government Shutdown)
Government Shutdown FAQ | U.S. Representative Ami Bera: Details on the October 1, 2025 shutdown start date, services impacted (National Parks, museums), and the status of federal employees (furloughed vs. working without pay).
What the Federal Government Shutdown Means to Your Clients | News - Social Security: Confirmation that Social Security, SSI, and local office services continue during the shutdown.
Navigating the 2025 US Government Shutdown | Beyond the First 100 Days: Overview of the funding lapse, agency contingency plans, and the continuation of essential services like Medicare and veterans' benefits.
What happens now that a government shutdown is underway: Information on the furlough process, retroactive pay for federal workers, and the potential for a "reduction in force" (layoffs) at unfunded agencies.
II. Things in the House and Senate: Key Bills Moving
Action: US Citizenship for Intercountry Adoptees: Information on the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2025 (H.R. 5492) and the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act (S. 2923), the need to fix the citizenship loophole, and call-to-action language.
Text - H.R.22 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): SAVE Act: Official text and status update of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (H.R. 22), confirming its passage in the House and move to the Senate, and outlining the requirement for documentary proof of citizenship.
House Bill Would Hurt American Voters | Brennan Center for Justice and SAVE Act (2025) - Fair Elections Center: Analysis of the SAVE Act's potential negative impact on eligible voters, particularly women with name changes and intercountry adoptees, and its effect on online/mail-in registration.
III. Weather and Health: Fall Immunizations
2025–2026 Flu Season | Influenza (Flu) - CDC and ACIP Recommendations Summary | Influenza (Flu) - CDC: Latest updates on the 2025-2026 flu vaccine composition, the continued recommendation for all persons aged 6 months and older, and information on the new FDA approval for self- or caregiver administration of the FluMist nasal spray vaccine.
Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Policy Statement - American Academy of Pediatrics: AAP recommendation for routine influenza vaccination of children and details on dosing for first-time vaccine recipients (ages 6 months through 8 years).
IV. Around the World: Global Events with Potential Impact
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 Lapses | Insights - Mayer Brown and CISA 2015 sunsets: Cyber Threat sharing without a net? - Data Protection Report: Confirmation that the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) expired on September 30, 2025, and the resulting lapse of legal protections, liability shields, and antitrust exemptions for cyber information sharing.
US government shutdown: One of the biggest American cybersecurity law expires... and Expiration of Critical Cyber Information Sharing Law Creates Confusion About Authorities and Liability Protections | JD Supra: Discussion of how the CISA lapse, coupled with the shutdown, creates a "more complex and dangerous" security environment and the need for companies (and families) to reassess digital security practices.
V. Things to Keep in Mind: Balance and Reflection
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Begins with Urgent Warning: Shutdown Threatens Services Survivors Rely on Every Day - NNEDV: Information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in October, the #Every1KnowsSome1 campaign, and the specific threat the government shutdown poses to domestic violence services.
DVAM 2025: With Survivors, Always - Domestic Violence Awareness Project: Details on the theme for DVAM 2025 ("With Survivors, Always") and the date of the National Day of Unity (October 6th).
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month | Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence: General DVAM information and the importance of being an ally.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resources (Local and National Hotlines): Information compiled from various local and national resources to provide immediate, confidential support numbers for the Northern Virginia community (Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and the National Hotline).
National Coming Out Day (October 11th) - Wikipedia (General Knowledge Check): The date and general significance of National Coming Out Day.
Dates for World Mental Health Day, International Day of the Girl Child, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month (General Knowledge Check/Calendar-based): Confirmation of these annual October observances.
Comments