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A Government Shutdown Hurts the Families Who Can Least Afford it
This week, our President and CEO, Reggie Bicha, addressed the current government shutdown—calling on our nation’s lawmakers from both parties to end it now and chart a responsible path forward for funding the programs that allow families to meet their most basic needs. Be sure to read it and share!
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Closing Out the 2025 Conference Season
APHSA’s 2025 conference series brought together human services leaders and experts to share knowledge, celebrate innovation, and strengthen collaboration across the sector. Each event offered unique opportunities for learning and connection, reflecting APHSA’s ongoing commitment to advancing systems that empower communities and improve lives.
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ISM Education Conference & Expo
With over 1,400 attendees, the IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Education Conference & Expo featured sessions on technology innovations, inspiring keynote speakers, the 2025 APHSA Emerging Leaders cohort, approximately 90 exhibiting companies showcasing solutions that help improve program delivery, and so much more.
In the highly interactive session, "AI in Action: Driving Efficiency in Integrated Eligibility and Child Welfare (pictured)," the panel discussed how emerging technologies and shifting regulations create both new challenges and opportunities in the human services sector.
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NSDTA Education Conference
Earlier this month, we wrapped up the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference. It was an inspiring four days filled with celebration, professional growth, and collaboration—all in the spirit of enhancing training and organizational development across the human services sector.
Among key sessions was "Leading Policy with Purpose,” led by APHSA’s Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Consultant, Trinka Landry-Bourne and Donna L. Wilson with Chapin Hall. The meeting explored how leadership can evolve to authentically engage with communities, staff, and individuals with lived expertise to drive systems change. This was only one of many interactive sessions that fostered connection, learning, and fun!
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PHSA Education Conference
Just last week, we wrapped up the Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference. The event brought together attorneys from human services agencies nationwide to discuss legal developments and trends in the human services sector.
The session "Hot Topics in Protective Services" saw a packed, open-forum gathering that allowed participants to talk through the most pressing, real-time legal issues impacting protective services. This annual event provided an opportunity for professional growth and networking with peers dedicated to advancing human services law.
| | For those who participated in our 2025 series of conferences, we want to thank you for making this year one to remember. Your participation, insights, and dedication are what make these gatherings so impactful. We hope you returned home reenergized in your vital work and already putting new ideas into action. | | |
Response to RFI on AI Regulatory Reform
Together, with our affinity group, the IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM), APHSA published a response to the federal Request for Information (RFI) on artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory reform by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The letter underscores the need for responsible and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence within human services.
It outlines three core priorities we believe will ensure AI enhances service delivery while safeguarding transparency, accountability, and public trust. Read the letter and visit our AI webpage to learn more about APHSA’s recommendations and vision for advancing innovation in human services.
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THRIVE on the GO!
We’re thrilled to introduce a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to learn—right on your phone. Our new THRIVE Learning Management System (LMS) mobile app puts professional development at your fingertips, making it easier than ever to access eLearning courses and resources, track progress, and stay connected on the go. Download the app today and experience:
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Instant access to your learning dashboard anytime, anywhere
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Seamless course navigation with an intuitive, user-friendly design
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Real-time notifications so you never miss an update
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Progress tracking to help you stay motivated and on target
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Interactive features that keep you engaged and connected
Whether you're commuting, traveling, or just prefer mobile learning, this app is designed to meet you where you are. You can find the THRIVE app on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
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H.R. 1 Peer Communities on Payment Error Rates and Work Requirements
In September, with the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, APHSA launched two new H.R. 1 implementation peer communities designed to bring together SNAP policy and program staff to support implementation of H.R. 1. They convene monthly with one group focused on payment accuracy requirements and another on new work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid. The kick-off meetings drew over 260 registrants for the payment accuracy and 250 for the work requirements groups.
In addition to these new groups, we’ve expanded two existing peer communities, the Local Council—to include H.R. 1 implementation peer sharing—and the Process Innovation Community of Practice with a particular focus on technology modernization to meet the new requirements. If you're interested in getting involved, fill out this interest form.
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APHSA Testifies to Congress
APHSA members Korin Schmidt, Director of Wyoming Department of Family Services, and Joy Bivens, Deputy County Administrator of Franklin County (Ohio), testified on Capitol Hill. They joined APHSA's Chloe Green, Assistant Director of Policy, to speak to the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture about SNAP state options.
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Opportunity to Connect with Peers in Europe
APHSA is excited to share a unique opportunity through our partnership with the European Social Network (ESN). ESN is accepting session proposals for its May 2026 European Social Services Conference in Valletta, Malta, and you’re invited to submit through their Call for Contributions page. We encourage you to engage in global dialogue and showcase U.S. innovation in human services!
APHSA members and partners who are interested in learning more about ESN and this collaboration should contact our Senior Manager of Strategic Operations, Mary Goble.
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In-person Professional Development Session
The Coordinating SNAP & Nutrition Supports (CSNS) project team hosted an in-person half-day professional development session. The session was co-designed and delivered with the CSNS Community Impact Council (CIC), a group of six individuals with lived expertise in navigating the benefits system.
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Collaboration at the NWA Tech Conference
In September, Morgan McKinney, our Senior Process Innovation Associate of Community Collaboration represented APHSA at the National WIC Association's (NWA's) Technology, Innovation, and Vendor Management Conference. As a subject matter expert serving on NWA's WIC Management Information Systems (MIS) Advisory, she connected with colleagues across the country to guide the development of a strategic plan to modernize WIC MIS.
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National Summer EBT Convening at EMWB Conference
Alongside the Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference in Minneapolis, we hosted a National Summer EBT Convening. Facilitated by APHSA's OE Consultant, Brandy Whisman, and our Policy Coordinator of Food and Nutrition Services, Kara Williams, this dedicated session brought together state and tribal agencies. Attendees exchanged lessons learned and discussed strategies for effective implementation of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT).
The convening drew 56 participants representing 23 states, the District of Columbia, and three tribes. Through peer-led discussions and collaborative problem-solving, attendees shared operational approaches, identified common challenges, and surfaced opportunities for ongoing coordination to support successful rollout of the new program.
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Tennessee Child Welfare Systems Alignment Work
In partnership with Casey Family Programs and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), our Organizational Effectiveness (OE) team led the Tennessee Child Welfare (CW) Systems Alignment Initiative. This is a collaborative effort to strengthen partnerships between child welfare, legal, and community partners to ensure the well-being of children in foster care in Tennessee. The goals of the initiative focused on using data-driven strategies and shared accountability to reduce entries into foster care and shorten the time to legal permanency.
The OE team facilitated eight focus groups and four action planning sessions across four counties in Tennessee, reviewing local data and developing county-specific Roadmaps for Action to advance the initiative goals.
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Spotlight on Leadership: Tennessee’s Accelerated Child Welfare Leadership Academy
Over the past several months, APHSA has been partnering with the Tennessee DCS to deliver an Accelerated State-Level Leadership Academy that brought together more than 30 child welfare executive leaders. This first-of-its-kind experience was designed to strengthen leadership capacity, elevate collective action, and keep partnerships and community at the forefront of every decision.
The Tennessee experience shows what’s possible when leaders step into a learning journey that blends vision, resilience, and community-driven impact. If your state or jurisdiction is ready to customize a Leadership Academy that drives transformational change in human services, connect with us today! Together, we can build a roadmap to strengthen leadership capacity and deliver sustainable results. Contact Trinka Landry-Bourne to start the conversation.
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APHSA Presents at NASWA Summit
Jess Maneely, Assistant Director of Process Innovation at APHSA, attended the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Summit. She presented on a panel titled, “Crossing the Divide: Building Bridges Across Programs & Agencies,” and talked through insights from the ACCESS project—an initiative supported by APHSA and NASWA. Maneely highlighted the key takeaways from the project, including state approaches to more aligned service delivery. Chloe Green also presented at the summit and detailed many of the new work requirements from H.R.1.
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Motivational Interviewing Training in Action
Recently, the Mississippi Workforce Hub partnered with the Delta Health Alliance (DHA) to strengthen its Career Navigation program and support individuals in building economic stability through job readiness. OE Consultants co-facilitated day-long trainings over three months and covered foundational, advanced, and workforce-focused motivational interviewing practices. This initiative emphasized skills practice and transfer of learning to equip DHA career navigators with practical techniques to foster whole-family approaches. For more information, please contact Jennifer Kerr.
| | MOVING HUMAN SERVICES FORWARD | | Chloe Green was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Policy at APHSA, working alongside our other Assistant Director of Policy, Christine Johnson. In her expanded role, she will lead the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SNAP, SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), and Summer EBT portfolios, while continuing her leadership in food and nutrition policy. This promotion strengthens our policy team’s capacity to support members in implementing H.R. 1 and advancing future policy initiatives. | | |
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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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