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.

Mathematica’s Project SPARK Surveys - State and Local TANF Administrators, Mathematica’s Project SPARK is conducting a series of short surveys to learn how state and local TANF programs have adapted to address challenges during this public health crisis. This week’s survey is aimed at learning how staff and customer access to technology has affected working remotely or receiving services. Responding to this survey is completely anonymous and should take no more than 10 minutes. The deadline for this survey is Friday, February 26th. Please contact Michelle Derr at mderr@mathematica-mpr.com with any questions. Project SPARK is funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

SNAP Putting Families First Award - February 2021 - The deadline for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Putting Families First Award has been extended to April 30, 2021. To nominate an individual, agency, or organization doing amazing work on behalf of families they serve, email new@nationalnew.org with submitter and nominee contact information, and a 300-word justification for nomination.

Schoolwide Free-Meal Programs Fuel Better Classroom Outcomes for Students, Brookings, 02/11/21

Bolstering Family Income Is Essential to Helping Children Emerge Successfully From the Current Crisis, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 02/23/21

Unpacking the Work of Work-Based Learning (WBL), February 22, 2021 - In this research report, the Aspen Institute describes how four organizations involved with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Generation Work initiative engage with young adults and employers to design and manage WBL opportunities.

Supporting Data Systems Improvement in Tribal Home Visiting: Capacity Build and Lessons Learned, February 2021 - This report from the Tribal Evaluation Institute assesses data system challenges and needs for tribal programs. The report also provides innovative strategies for federal agencies to support tribal and tribal/urban Indian organizations in data system improvement, data collection, and service delivery monitoring. 

Improving Child Well Being and Reducing Food Insecurity, February 2021 - This report from the Urban Institute identifies innovative strategies to enhance food security. Also, this report suggests that policy and funding shifts in early care and education serving young children in pre-school and aftercare programs can improve equity outcomes in child well-being.

Young People and Cash Assistance, February 2021 - This report from the Urban Institute examines TANF access for young people who live independently. The report identifies, through interviews with researchers and practitioners, numerous barriers to young people receiving TANF cash assistance as the head of household. The report also makes some policy recommendations to reverse that trend and support young people in their transition to adulthood. 

State of WIC Report, February 2021 - The National WIC Association released the report which documents WIC’s effects on improving pregnancy, birth, and child nutrition outcomes. The comprehensive report lifts up the voices of WIC providers while outlining steps that can enhance the program’s impact on maternal, infant, and child health.

Webinar - Ask Us Anything: Infrastructure Job Programs Creating Career Opportunities for People of Color, Women, and Youth, Atlanta Fed.

5 Part Webinar Series - Comprehensive Strategies to Support a Prenatal-to-Five Fiscal Agenda - Prenatal-to-Five Fiscal Strategies (P5FS). Continuing on March 17.

Child Care: Subsidy Eligibility and Receipt, and Wait Lists, February 18, 2021 -

Stabilizing Child Care Requires More Than Emergency COVID-19 Relief Fund - Brookings Institute, 02/16/21

First Migrant Facility for Children Opens Under Biden - Washington Post, 02/22/21

Santa Clara County is Model for Plan to Give $1,000 a Month to California Foster Youth - Mercury News, 02/23/21

Education Department Requiring Standardized Testing, Giving Schools Pandemic Flexibility - The Hill, 02/23/21

Child Care Subsidies Under the CCDF Program: An Overview of Policy Differences Across States and Territories as of October 1, 2019, February 2021 - This report from the Office of Planning and Research Evaluation (OPRE), in partnership with the Urban Institute, provides an overview of Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) policies—eligibility, family contributions, child care providers requirements— differences across states using maps and charts. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started, February 9, 2021 - In some states, essential workers already have access to vaccines to help protect them against COVID-19. These vaccines will be available to essential workers across the nation soon. CDC has provided a toolkit to help employers educate their essential workers about this important new prevention tool. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations: Getting Started, February 9, 2021 - Soon the communities you serve will have access to vaccines to help protect against COVID-19. CDC has designed a toolkit to help community-based organizations (CBOs) educate communities about this important new prevention tool.

Webinar - Achieving the Family First Act’s Goals: A New Implementation Tool - American Bar Association (ABA).

2021 National Conference on Juvenile Justice - National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).

2021 National School Social Work Conference - School Social Work Association of America.

Systems for Action Call for Proposals, February 17, 2021 – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Systems for Action program seeks proposals to measure the impact of collaborations across medical, social, and public health systems that allow organizations to equitably share in the costs and the benefits, with up to $2M available in grants. Proposals are due June 9.

Data Are Essential to Prioritizing Racial and Ethnic Equity in COVID-19 Vaccination, February 5, 2021 - This blog from Urban Institute details the role of data in ensuring equity in vaccine administration for communities with the highest COVID-19 risk.

Medicaid in Times of Crisis, February 17, 2021 - This Government Accountability Office (GAO) report includes examples drawn from several GAO reports, and illustrates how the government and states have used Medicaid funding and services during crises.

Webinar - Harnessing Public Health and Human Services Systems to Create an Equitable and Resilient Nation - APHSA and the National Academy of Public Administration.

Three-Part Webinar Series - Moving Mindsets: The Ways Minds Can Shift - FrameWorks. Continuing through March.