We’re hiring! APHSA’s new Vice President of Professional Services role is designed to lead and grow APHSA’s fee-for-service business lines, including consulting, conferences, events, and training. Reporting directly to the CEO, this leadership position will collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to develop innovative services that meet member needs and boost APHSA’s market presence. Apply today or share with your network. | | |
Response to House Agriculture Committee’s Budget Reconciliation Draft
APHSA submitted a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Committee members outlining concerns with several provisions in the House Agriculture Committee’s Budget Reconciliation draft—chiefly the proposed cost shifts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and administrative funding, and the removal of the Quality Control (QC) payment error tolerance threshold. The provisions outlined will drastically weaken states’ ability to operate SNAP in a way that supports families, protects taxpayer resources, and advances program improvements already underway.
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Summary of Budget Reconciliation Bills
APHSA has prepared a summary of the Budget Reconciliation bills marked up on May 13, focusing on proposed changes to human services. This resource is designed to help members and partners quickly grasp potential impacts on programs and priorities. Please note that the language in these bills are subject to change.
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New Tool: State Human Services Agencies
APHSA is excited to announce the addition of a frequently requested resource: a State Human Services Agencies tool. Visit our website to find detailed information on how states configure their human services programs, services, and functions. Built on the information we contributed to Urban Institute's 2022 report, “What Are Human Services, and How Do State Governments Structure Them?,” this resource has been updated with the latest data from our state survey responses and APHSA-verified web searches.
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Additions to Our Key Federal Updates Page
We’ve updated our Key Federal Updates page. It offers a comprehensive overview of executive orders (EOs) and other presidential actions that impact state, county, and city governments, as well as various human services programs. All information is sourced directly from the administration’s executive orders, memorandums, and policies.
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Comment on House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Hearing
APHSA submitted a comment for inclusion in the Ways and Means Work and Welfare Committee April hearing record. In the letter, we emphasize the need for comprehensive reform of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Subcommittee Chairman LaHood echoed these sentiments in his opening statement. APHSA urges Congress to pursue bipartisan reauthorization that indexes TANF to inflation, enhances accountability, and maintains state flexibility. The goal is to effectively tailor services and supports to individuals and, wherever possible, disrupt intergenerational poverty.
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SNAP 101 e-Learning Course
An introductory e-learning course on SNAP is now available on THRIVE, APHSA's Learning Management System. Whether you're a human services professional, a community outreach worker, or someone interested in learning more, it will provide a foundational understanding of this vital tool for advancing economic mobility and well-being. By the end of the course, you will understand SNAP, its significance, and how the program impacts millions of Americans.
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New Blog Post on Child Welfare Transformation
Check out the latest blog post from Meg Dygert, Senior Policy Associate at APHSA. The post, "Transforming Child Welfare," highlights the collaborative efforts of APHSA and Chapin Hall to apply economic and concrete supports (ECS) as an upstream measure to keep families together and prevent child welfare involvement. The post showcases our work to integrate ECS into child welfare policy with the aim of creating a proactive, multi-system strategy that prioritizes family integrity and well-being. Read the full post today!
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Advancing Cross-State Child Placement at AAICPC Business Meeting
The APSHA Interstate Affairs Team successfully concluded a productive Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC) Business Meeting in Denver, CO. Attendees included representatives from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The group reviewed materials, debated, and advanced motions to improve cross-state child placement processing. Staff from the National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise (NEICE) team were also present and led two training sessions, including the introduction of a national data dashboard. Both teams' efforts facilitated engagement and helped propel AAICPC forward on decade-long priorities.
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APHSA Attends Procurement Design Workshop
APHSA recently attended a Procurement Design Workshop hosted by the Families & Workers Fund and the Aspen Institute. The session was aimed at modernizing government procurement to improve public outcomes. We look forward to expanding this conversation through upcoming APHSA events, conferences, and workshops to help move the needle on procurement in the public sector.
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APHSA at ECFC Convening
Reggie Bicha, President and CEO of APHSA, recently addressed the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC) during their convening. ECFC, an association of funders focused on early childhood issues, invited Bicha to discuss the challenges faced by both public and private funders in deploying resources amid current uncertainties. His insights were particularly valuable for the organization as they strive to support areas where philanthropic efforts can bridge gaps caused by fluctuations in federal funding.
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The Human Services Value Curve in Action
The Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) in Detroit recently worked with APHSA’s Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Team to enhance their understanding and application of the Human Services Value Curve (HSVC). APHSA conducted surveys, in-person and virtual training sessions with leadership and staff, and facilitated transfer of learning sessions. COTS Leadership then set 2025 goals incorporating the elements of HSVC to achieve generative impact. For more information on the HSVC or to access our eLearning on THRIVE, contact Jen Kerr.
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Extended Foster Care—We Want to Hear from You
If your organization offers Extended Foster Care (EFC), we want to learn about the programs and services you provide! APHSA, in collaboration with Youth Villages and FosterClub, will be conducting focus groups and a national survey on EFC from late May to mid-June. We will send out a survey in the coming weeks, but strongly encourage those interested in participating in one of the focus groups to contact Julia Mueller, our Community Engagement Specialist, today. Your participation and insights are invaluable to us.
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Deadline Today, May 20: Nominations for the APHSA National Human Services Summit Awards close today! We are featuring three award categories that honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the human services sector. Please review the award criteria below and submit your nominations!
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| Deadline, May 22: Early Bird Registration for the APHSA Summit closes soon! Register today and join us in Philadelphia to connect with leaders, innovators, and changemakers in the human services sector as we come together to build strategies for improving the lives of children and families! |
| May 31: Registration is still open for our upcoming Local CEO Retreat! Taking place immediately before the APHSA Summit, the event starts with a welcome reception, followed by an all-day working retreat on Sunday. The day’s activities will feature a keynote from Brant Menswar, a session on the Federal Budget Reconciliation process, peer exchange, leadership dialogue, and more. Complete the Retreat Registration form to secure your spot. |
| June 9, 2:00-3:00 PM ET: June’s National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Showcase, “Moving Beyond the Classroom to Strengthen Training,” will help participants move beyond the classroom to enhance training programs, ensuring that trainees can effectively transfer knowledge and skills to on-the-job performance. This webinar will delve into the fundamentals of “transfer of learning,” highlighting proven methods to improve programs, engage learners, and improve overall training outcomes. |
| June 18, 3:00-4:00 PM ET: "Designing with the End in Mind" is an NSDTA Learning Exchange webinar designed for instructional designers and training professionals who want to ensure their programs drive real results. This session challenges participants to go beyond content delivery and intentionally plan for what happens after the training ends—using principles of backward design and results-based learning. Join us to explore how you can create training experiences that turn knowledge into action. |
| August 24-27: Registration is now open for the Economic Mobility and Well-Being (EMWB) Conference! This annual gathering is designed to empower human services leaders, policymakers, and researchers as they work to shape the future of the sector. We can’t wait to welcome you to this once-a-year opportunity to connect, innovate, and lead. Register today! | | MOVING HUMAN SERVICES FORWARD | | We are celebrating Carla Fults' 20th anniversary here at APHSA! As the Director of Interstate Affairs and Compact Operations, Carla has been instrumental in advancing policies and tools that improve the lives of children, families, and communities. Her unwavering dedication has made a lasting impact on our organization and human services as a whole, and we are grateful for her exceptional contributions and leadership. | | |
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Interested in getting involved at APHSA? Click here to learn more about our affinity groups and peer communities, or reach out to our membership team at memberservice@aphsa.org.
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