June 24, 2021
Greetings!

Welcome to the latest issue of The Connection, APHSA’s newsletter offering updates and resources pertaining to employment and economic well-being, child and family well-being, and H/HS integration.

Check out our new job opportunities for a Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer (CEDIO), and a Grants/Contract Manager. We welcome your applications to join our team, or please share with your network!
APHSA Updates
Registrations are now open for our upcoming conferences! We are looking forward to welcoming our members & partners back to in-person conferences starting in August 2021.
Our latest blog post is States and Localities Should Strengthen Data Analytics Capacity Using Rescue Plan Funds, by Kathy Stack and Gary Glickman of the National Academy of Public Administration.
This is the latest in our new Catalyst blog series taking a detailed look at the American Rescue Plan and the ways in which we can leverage it to strengthen the resiliency of our public health and human services infrastructure.

Headlines

Employers Seek Telework Policies That Embrace Needs of All Employees - National Conference of State Legislatures, 06/10/21

Targeted Text Message Outreach Can Increase WIC Enrollment, Pilots Show - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 06/10/21
Resources
Coaching for Success, April 2021 - OFA Peer TA has released a set of 14 online learning modules intended to support Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) employment case managers in leveraging coaching techniques that improve their case management skills with TANF-eligible populations. Self-paced modules can be taken over time or for a specific topic.

SNAP E&T Toolkit, June 16, 2021 - This toolkit from FNS provides state agencies with guidance and resources to plan and implement SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Programs. The Toolkit is designed to build a foundation of the policy knowledge that state agencies may need as they sustain and expand their E&T programs.

Using the Right Incentives to Link Education and Employment: Market-based Proposals to Refocus the Higher Education Act and Higher Education Finance, June 21, 2021 - This report from the American Enterprise Institute presents four ideas for the next reauthorization of the Higher Education Act to ensure student aid supports those who need it the most, and directs them to skills-based educational pathways.

The Impact of SNAP Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Time Limit Reinstatement in Nine States, June 2021 – This report from the Urban Institute examines the reinstatement of the time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) following the Great Recession. Notably, researchers found that the time limit reduced SNAP participation for participants potentially subject to the time limit, but does not substantially increase work or earnings.

New Study Highlights Independent Community Grocers’ Pivotal Role in Growing the U.S. Economy, June 2021 – This economic impact report from the National Grocers Association (NGA) details the role that independent community grocers play in the U.S. economy with positive impacts via jobs, wages, and taxes. Among other important facts, the NGA found that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is responsible for nearly 200,000 U.S. grocery industry jobs.
Events

Headlines
Resources
Opening Up Possibilities: Father Engagement Lessons During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, May 2021 - This report from the Office of Planning and Research Evaluation (OPRE) assesses six child welfare teams' participation in the Fathers and Continuous Learning (FCL)—A child welfare project engaging parents and relatives before and during the pandemic. Also, this report addresses the challenges of engaging virtual parents and relatives in child welfare, and provides some tracking tools to break down strategies into incremental steps.

Assessing Models of Coordinated Services: A Scan of State and Local Approaches to Coordinating Early Care and Education with Other Health and Human Services, June 2021 - This report from the Office of Planning and Research Evaluation (OPRE) reviewed 55 approaches and identified six preliminary models of coordinated services approaches at the state and local levels to align policies, practices, and procedures and streamline the system of care for families. This report highlights the administrative and policy changes to improve children's health and school readiness outcomes.

Announcements
Why Aren’t Kids a Policy Priority? The Cultural Mindsets and Attitudes that Keep Kids Off the Public Agenda, June 9, 2021 - The FrameWorks Institute has released this strategic brief that centers on understanding cultural barriers and identifying possible directions for the development of a new narrative around kids. This work is the first in a series of reports that will help change the way we talk about kids and the policies needed to ensure children’s rights and well-being.
Resources
Virtual Human Services Delivery: Scan of Implementation and Lessons Learned, March 2021 - ASPE’s landing page collects resources and emerging lessons on a range of topics, from technology considerations to measuring virtual services. For any questions, follow ups, and further engagement, anyone can reach out to [email protected].
Events
Thursday, June 24, 2:00 PM EDT
Webinar - Opportunities to Cut Child Poverty: Understanding the Data and Evidence - The American Academy of Political & Social Science; and Spotlight on Poverty & Opportunity.