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Beginning July 1, families, their service providers, and food assistance programs, including JFS' Nourish Food Pantry, throughout the state will begin feeling the effects of major federal policy changes enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
What is Changing? On July 1st, a provision of the act that significantly restricts eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program goes into effect. On October 1st, similar restrictions go into effect for Medicaid. Altogether, most refugees and other lawfully admitted immigrants who have historically qualified for these programs will no longer have access to food and medical benefits. Refugees and other immigrants who arrive after July 1st will not have access to SNAP, those who arrive after October 1 will also not have Medicaid, and people who are already receiving these benefits will lose them at their next redetermination appointment (these are now happening every six months, instead of annually). Affected populations include refugees, asylees, Afghan evacuees who are not lawful permanent residents, survivors of human trafficking, certain humanitarian parolees, and other humanitarian populations. SNAP and Medicaid eligibility is now largely limited to U.S. citizens, many lawful permanent residents (aka “green card holders”), and Cuban and Haitian entrants. This is on top of proof of work requirements for able bodied people ages 18-64 without children that have been in effect since March. The changes that are about to happen could have far-reaching consequences for family stability, health outcomes, the charitable food network, and beyond. For over thirty years JFS has been committed to supporting the everyone who needs help, including immigrants, refugees, and other lawfully admitted individuals long after their initial welcome period. Our commitment sometimes lasts for months and even years after initial arrival, helping clients to find jobs and housing, to learn English, to apply for permanent residency, and even supporting them on the path to naturalization. Why This Matters Many newly arrived families rely on SNAP and Medicaid during their first years in the United States while they secure employment, learn English, and establish financial stability. The loss of these supports may leave many households struggling to afford groceries, medical care, and other basic necessities. Restricting access to food and healthcare could increase poverty and create new barriers to successful integration. JFS’ Greater Toledo Newcomer Center (GTNC) has already felt the impact of these cuts, as Ohio had implemented these restrictions implemented in November 2025. Caseworkers there have long advised newly arrived refugees, as well as other lawfully present clients, to utilize food pantries and strictly monitor their budgets. Delays in approval of Medicaid benefits have already resulted in massive medical expenses and delays in seeking medical support. For children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with limited resources, the consequences may be particularly severe. When families lose food assistance, they often face difficult choices between purchasing food, paying rent, covering transportation costs, or obtaining medical care. Increased Pressure on Food Pantries JFS’ food pantry, as well as the other supplemental food providers throughout the county, expect to see an increase in demand in the coming months. SNAP serves as one of the nation's most effective anti-hunger programs. When families lose benefits, many turn to charitable food pantries to fill the gap. As refugee and immigrant households become ineligible for SNAP, Michigan food pantries can expect:
Food pantries already face rising food costs and growing community needs. Unlike SNAP, charitable food programs are not designed or funded to provide long-term food assistance at the same scale. Community organizations may struggle to absorb increased demand without additional public and private support. How You Can Take Action Community members who are concerned about the impact of these changes on their neighbors can take several meaningful actions listed below. Contact Elected Officials Michigan residents can contact their members of Congress and state legislators to share concerns about the impact these changes may have on refugee, immigrant, and low-income communities. Advocacy efforts can help inform future legislative proposals and state-level responses. Support Food Banks and Pantries As demand increases, JFS' Nourish Food Pantry will need additional support. Monetary donations allow our food bank to purchase food more efficiently than individual food drives. Volunteers will also be critical in helping us meet growing needs. Donate to Nourish here. Advocate for State-Level Solutions Michigan policymakers may have opportunities to explore state-funded programs or other policy approaches that help maintain access to healthcare and food assistance for vulnerable populations affected by federal changes. [refugees.org], [nilc.org] Looking Ahead The upcoming benefit restrictions represent one of the most significant changes to federal assistance eligibility for refugees and humanitarian immigrants in decades. While implementation will continue to evolve through federal and state guidance, JFS is preparing for increased demand for food assistance, benefits navigation, and emergency support services. Additional Information Immigration Status and Benefits 2026: New Verification Requirements and Restrictions | BenefitsUSA Blog Changes to Medicaid for Certain Non-citizens SNAP_Medicaid FAQ At JFS, our work doesn't stop when services are delivered. While we are proud to provide food, counseling, aging services, resettlement support, and so much more, we also know that lasting change requires advocacy. It means speaking up, sharing stories, educating decision-makers, and ensuring that the voices of our community are heard where policies are made. Recently, members of our team traveled to meet with elected officials and advocate for issues that directly impact the people we serve every day.  Melissa (JFS Chief Development and Communications Director) met with legislators to advocate for the Jewish American Security Act, a comprehensive federal effort to strengthen the safety and resilience of Jewish institutions and communities nationwide. The agenda centers on several key priorities: expanding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion annually to better protect synagogues, schools, and community organizations; strengthening protections for Jewish students by requiring federally funded schools and universities to designate Title VI coordinators and enforce clear anti-discrimination and antisemitism response procedures; increasing accountability for online platforms through transparency reporting on how hate speech and antisemitic content are identified and addressed; enhancing coordination between the FBI, DHS, and local law enforcement to improve threat assessment and response; and investing in community-based security infrastructure, including trained security personnel, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness planning.
These discussions were grounded in deeply troubling firsthand accounts of security breaches and rising antisemitism impacting Jewish agencies and institutions. The message from these conversations was urgent and clear: sustained, coordinated investment in security and prevention is essential to protect communities today and prevent violence and hate crimes in the future. Sarah (JFS Chief Program Officer) and Chrissy (JFS Director of Nourish and Community Services) advocated on behalf of the Food Is Medicine Coalition, championing legislation that recognizes the powerful connection between nutrition and health. Their primary focus was supporting the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act, a bipartisan effort that would expand access to medically tailored meals for Medicare beneficiaries living with nutrition-sensitive health conditions. This innovative approach provides customized meals designed to support individuals managing chronic illnesses, helping them stay healthier, avoid costly hospitalizations, and improve their quality of life. Simply put, this pilot program has the potential to save both lives and healthcare dollars.  As a proud member of the Food Is Medicine Coalition, JFS is already delivering medically tailored meals in our community and witnessing firsthand the positive impact proper nutrition can have on health outcomes. Continued federal investment in these proven interventions will help more people access the food they need not only to eat, but to heal. Mira (JFS Director of Community Engagement) traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies' annual Advocacy Fly-In, joining 40 professional and lay leaders representing 23 agencies across 17 states. During two days of advocacy and education, participants met with members of Congress and their staff to discuss critical issues affecting vulnerable individuals and families, including SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Through policy briefings, coalition meetings, and nearly 100 conversations on Capitol Hill, advocates worked to elevate the voices and needs of the millions of people served by Jewish human service organizations across the country. For JFS, these conversations are especially important as many of the older adults, families, newcomers, and individuals we serve rely on nutrition assistance and healthcare programs to maintain their health, independence, and stability. The Fly-In also provided an opportunity to collaborate with fellow advocates from across the nation, demonstrating the collective power of Jewish human service organizations working together to protect essential safety-net programs and ensure communities continue to receive the support they need to thrive. Advocacy is not reserved for politicians or policy experts. It belongs to all of us. Every phone call, email, conversation, and shared story has the power to influence change. The question is: What will you do to advocate for what you care about today? In the coming months, you'll see opportunities through this newsletter to lend your voice to issues that matter to our community. We invite you to stay informed, take action, and join us in creating a stronger, safer, healthier future for all. Together, we can turn compassion into action and action into impact.  As the school year ends and students look forward to the summer, moods can boost and excitement increases. Summer brings time for fun with friends, relaxation, and freedom for students. Unfortunately, summer break can also bring the “summer slide”, or summer learning loss. Summer learning loss affects the achievements students have made over the course of the previous school year and seems most pronounced in mathematics and reading. Some studies have even shown increased learning loss among higher-level students.
On average, students' achievement scores decline by about one month’s worth of school year learning over the course of the summer vacation. This is largely thought to be due to the absence of formal and structured learning over the summer months. The lack of regular, intellectual engagement can lead to a general decline in a student’s academic skills and this is only exacerbated by the fact that not all families are able to provide or access educational resources during the summer months. This results in the potential loss of knowledge and skills gained during the previous school year and ongoing catch-up for students when they reenter school in the fall. So, what can we do to prevent and mitigate summer learning loss? Consistent intellectual engagement is key! It does not have to be something that is structured in the same way as a school day, and students can definitely have fun with their learning over the summer! The most effective way to prevent summer learning loss is participation in summer learning programs. These programs can vary from academic camps run through schools or local community centers, summer programming run by local libraries, or online courses that students can participate in. Community learning programs are focused on fun, social connection, and maintaining learning gains for students over the summer. Regular reading is also a huge part of maintaining critical thinking skills and learning gains. According to a study published in the Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, reading four to five books over the summer is “potentially large enough to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores from the spring to the fall”. Families can create a reading friendly environment at home, including making trips to local libraries, setting up a family summer book club, or setting up special reading zones in the home are all great ways to make reading fun for students over the summer. Setting screen time limits also encourages students to find multiple ways to engage with reading, or other summer learning activities, instead of spending time watching tv, playing games, or scrolling on their phones. You can also incorporate learning into existing, everyday activities! Learning doesn’t have to be confined to a classroom or specific summer program. Regular, day-to-day activities can be used to encourage ongoing learning. Activities like cooking can teach measurements and fractions, gardening can explore botany, and even a grocery trip can be an exercise in budgeting. Even social media, used effectively, can be used to develop critical thinking skills and news media literacy. Another aspect of the summer slide that is less talked about is the slide in social and emotional intelligence. While students are often excited to start their summer vacations and leave school behind for a few months, consistent disconnect from structure and guaranteed social interaction with peers and friends can lead to an increase in low moods, irritability, and anxiety as the new school year approaches. Community center and library programs are excellent resources for encouraging social connection and providing some structured activities to break up the day. Encouraging and setting up time for your youth to be away from screens and outside or engaging in fun activities like making slime, cooking or baking, or participating in arts and crafts projects maintains creativity and connection to a more grounded sense of self. For something more structured, Thrive Counseling is also offering a Dungeons and Dragons inspired summer drop-in group for social anxiety and social connection. This group is for youth ages 13-16 and focuses on overcoming anxiety, reducing isolation, and building social skills in a supportive, non-judgmental, and affirming space. We will use collaborative storytelling to tackle the challenges around anxiety and build confidence to “roll for initiative” in your everyday life. These groups will run at Mallett’s Creek AADL library for six weeks starting June 23rd from 3:30-4:45pm and Whittaker Road YDL library for six weeks starting June 25th from 2:15-3:30pm. Interested teens can register by signing up for one session or multiple through this link: Summer D&D Group for Teens Thrive Counseling also offers ongoing, individual services for children, youth, and their families to address stress, depression, anxiety, and general emotion regulation. If you are interested in accessing services for your youth our intake form can be accessed here: JFS Screening |
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October 2026
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