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As the APHSA conference season nears, Call for Proposal (CFP) deadlines are fast approaching. Be sure to submit your materials and join us for these premier human services events and more!
| | Registration is open for the APHSA National Human Services Summit 2025! This year's Summit will bring together the nation’s brightest leaders, innovators, and changemakers in human services. This is an opportunity to listen, learn, engage, and inspire one another to build strategies for improving the lives of children, families, and communities across the nation. Register now to lock in early registration rates. | | |
Comment on Request for Information on the Development of an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan
APHSA recently submitted a public federal comment in response to a Request for Information (RFI) on the Development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan—positioning our members to play a pivotal role in shaping national technology policy. In our letter, we strongly urge the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO) to prioritize six key areas in the AI action plan: coordinated federal governance, streamlined funding, improved service delivery, enhanced security, informed oversight, and thriving communities.
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Response to SNAP Program QC Review Handbook Incorporation by Reference Proposed Rule
APHSA, along with its affinity groups, the American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD) and the National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM), submitted a comment letter to USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to oppose moving the SNAP Quality Control 310 Handbook into regulation via Incorporation by Reference. APHSA believes that updating this handbook, which governs quality control for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), requires a more transparent process, and this approach is not the appropriate way to achieve that goal.
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The Latest on The Catalyst
Read the latest posts on our blog, The Catalyst. Recently, we published a post titled “The Next Generation of Human Services Leaders” authored by Tina Wright-Ervin, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Consultant at APHSA. This insightful article explores how the APHSA and HSITAG Emerging Leaders Program has empowered past cohorts to transform their careers and the human services sector. Our newest post, written by Sean Toole, Senior VP at C!A, outlines Business Process Redesign (BPR) as a strategy for enhancing agency efficiency. Titled "Redesigning Business Processes to Navigate Changes in Human Services," it features compelling case studies and actionable takeaways. Visit The Catalyst today to explore these and other posts.
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Workforce Development Resources on THRIVE
The APHSA Learning Management System, Training Hub for Resources, Innovation, and Virtual Exchange (THRIVE), has a variety of workforce development resources provided by the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute. These resources include infographics, curriculum, and development inventories. Log into THRIVE, at no cost, today to explore these resources and more.
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APHSA Leaders Meet with ACF Acting Assistant Secretary to Discuss Future Goals
Last week, Reggie Bicha, APHSA President and CEO, and Sheila J. Poole, VP of Membership and Policy, met with Acting Assistant Secretary Gradison of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF). This meeting begins a meaningful dialogue about the vision, goals, and priorities for ACF programs. APHSA looks forward to welcoming Secretary Gradison at our opening plenary session at the APHSA National Human Services Summit and to our ongoing partnership with ACF as we collaborate with members to build stronger communities where all families and children can thrive.
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APHSA Members Take Part in Vital Conversations on Capitol Hill
Also last week, APHSA members spent time on Capitol Hill engaging in a full schedule of meetings with Representatives, Senators, and key staff from influential committees such as Finance, Ways and Means, and Agriculture. These impactful conversations highlighted the essential role of human services in fostering thriving communities nationwide. We are excited to continue these crucial dialogues and translate them into meaningful actions.
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APHSA Presents on the Fundamentals of SNAP
Chloe Green, APHSA's Food and Nutrition Services Manager, recently presented to the Majority Members of the House Agriculture Committee on the fundamentals of SNAP policy. Her presentation covered the history of SNAP, its administration, participation, and eligibility criteria. She also highlighted key programs such as SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) and SNAP Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed), along with current state agency priorities like EBT modernization. For more information on APHSA's SNAP initiatives and related programs, visit our website!
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SNAP Employment & Training Educational Hill Briefing
Last month, APHSA hosted an educational briefing on Capitol Hill about SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T). The event began with opening remarks from Reggie Bicha, APHSA President and CEO, followed by panels featuring perspectives from 10 SNAP E&T state agency leaders, two organizations that serve as SNAP E&T providers, and two individuals who successfully participated in SNAP E&T and have now moved into full-time employment because of the program. Staff members Chloe Green, Marie Comito, Rebekah Sides, Raneem Karboji, Kara Williams, and Inshira Bediako played integral roles in making the event a success.
The bipartisan group of registered attendees included representatives from 14 member offices and professional committee staff from both the House and Senate. We received positive feedback on the briefing, particularly for our focus on the lived experiences of the former program participants.
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AASD Starts New Roundtable Series
APHSA's affinity group, the American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD), recently launched a new roundtable call series to explore critical topics such as the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, the new Standard Utility Allowance methodology, EBT modernization, and Healthy SNAP pilots. Each call attracted an average of over 100 attendees. To learn more and get involved, reach out to Chloe Green.
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Successful Convening Sets Path for Future Child Care Collaboration
Emily Adams, APHSA’s Child Care & Early Childhood Programs Policy Associate, played a pivotal role in organizing and presenting at a convening hosted by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), and the National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA). With representatives from approximately 20 states, the event aimed to foster relationships between advocates and state child care administrators. The convening was a success with participants effectively articulating shared goals and outlining next steps for collaborative efforts.
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APHSA at the EBT Community Council Conference
Chloe Green spoke on a panel during the EBT Community Council (ECC) Conference. The event was hosted by the American Banker Payments Forum and the session was titled, "The Changing World and Its Effect on EBT.” The panel discussed new opportunities and challenges affecting the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.
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2025 NextGen: Frontline Innovators One Year Learning and Action Institute
In partnership with the Leadership for a Networked World (LNW) at Harvard, the 2025 NextGen initiative is supporting frontline practitioners and supervisors committed to person-centered systems change. NextGen is led by The Kresge Foundation and is a leadership development program designed to advance multigenerational family social and economic success through community-serving nonprofit capacity building. This year, participants will engage in three in-person convenings—including one held during APHSA's Economic Mobility and Well-Being (EMWB) Conference—as well as virtual learning opportunities.
| | April 22, 3:00-4:00 PM ET: Policies and norms that recognize neurodivergence and other “invisible disabilities” can remove stigma as well as increase safety and productivity. This month's National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Showcase, “Staff Safety: Accommodating Invisible Disabilities,” will be a discussion around stopping systemic ableism so that all can be the best version of themselves. Objectives include coming away with designed actions that can be put in place within the next three months, enhancing a sense of belonging (decreasing exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and resentment), and learning simple steps for organizations and agencies to implement. Register today! | | May 1, 3:00-4:15 PM ET: Register now for the third and final webinar in our Language Justice series: From Voice to Action: Responsive Designs for Language Justice in Human Services Agencies. In this session, presenters will explore how agencies and community-based organizations (CBOs) are building responsive, customer-centered language access plans. Panelists will share firsthand experiences of navigating services with limited English proficiency and discuss how agencies are embedding language justice into outreach, staffing, contracting, and training. | |
Kapria Lee - Senior Policy Associate, Social and Economic Mobility
Kapria Lee is joining the Social and Economic Mobility team as APHSA's newest Senior Policy Associate. She'll be helping to liaise with APHSA's National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA), the SNAP Employment and Training Workgroup (SNAP E&T), the TANF Modernization Workgroup, and the Exploring Child Support and TANF Partnerships Community of Practice. Kapria brings background knowledge of Medicaid, juvenile justice, WIOA, child welfare, and TANF to this role. Her previous work with APHSA, as well as her work as a Legislative Analyst in Richmond, Virginia, and a Policy Analyst at Chapin Hall, will serve her well in this new role!
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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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