January 26, 2022
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.
We are excited to announce the election of new officers and the appointment of five new members to our Executive Governing Board who will bring diverse experience and distinct insight to our strategic direction. Read about them in our recent press release.

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Announcements
NEW PATHS opened up nominations for their SNAP Putting Families First award for an individual, agency, or organization providing exemplary customer service. The winner will receive complementary registration to the NEW PATHS 2022 Annual Training as well as APHSA’s Economic Mobility and Well-Being conference. Nominations are due to [email protected] by April 30, and should include submitter and nominee contact information as well as a 300 word justification for the nomination.
Resources
NACo Toolkit: Tracking COVID19 Relief for Human Services and Education Programs, January 2022 - This toolkit from the National Association of Counties (NACo) assesses federal COVID funding legislations, including administrative waivers and flexibilities for human services and educational programs. Also, this toolkit serves as a clearinghouse for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Hub by providing useful resources on that funding stream.  

Understanding Coping Strategies of Mothers with Low Income, January 2022 - This study from the Urban Institute assesses through a social network analysis perspective how women with young children and limited resources fulfill their economic, personal, and social goals. Furthermore, this study examines community-based organizations' role in supporting those families' financial security and stress reduction. 
Events
Tuesday, February 1, 3:00 PM EST
Navigating the Benefit Cliffs of Guaranteed Income Pilots - APHSA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

February 1-March 4, 2022 - Part A
March 8-April 8, 2022 - Part B
Online Entrepreneurship Institute - For Service Providers & Adult Educators teaching entrepreneurship skills; Coalition on Adult Basic Education.

Wednesday, February 2, 2:00 PM EST

Thursday, February 3, 10:00 AM EST

Thursday, February 3, 2:00 PM EST 

Announcements
HHS Releases 2020 Child Maltreatment Report - The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) within The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the 2020 Child Maltreatment report. States provide the data for this report via the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). Data have been collected every year since 1991 and are collected from child welfare agencies in the 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. 
Headlines
Resources
NACC Publishes New Recommendations for Legal Representation of Children and Youth in Neglect and Abuse Proceedings, January 2022 - For the first time in 20 years, the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) has published updated Recommendations for Legal Representation of Children and Youth in Neglect and Abuse Proceedings. Their release coincides with a growing national recognition that it is important for legal advocacy to incorporate youth voice and address the injustices of poverty and structural racism, the trauma of family separation, and the harm of negative foster care experiences. 

Re-Envisioning Early Childhood Policy and Practice in a World of Striking Inequality and Uncertainty, January 2022 - Building on foundational brain science research, Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child released a recent brief detailing a new framework for science-informed investment in a post-pandemic world. The brief highlights the enhanced power of early childhood development (ECD) 2.0 to drive a new vision for action, and three areas where the science can be more actionable. 

January 22, 2022 - This Playbook from FrameWorks includes messaging recommendations intended to help advocates, practitioners, policymakers and journalists working in the youth space communicate more accurately and effectively about racism and equity, and their impact on adolescent development.
Events

Announcements
TANF Data Collaborative - The Administration for Children and Families is facilitating an Applied Data Analytics training program for TANF data teams through the Coleridge Initiative. The goal of the class is to develop an evidence base for state and local agencies seeking to support TANF recipients. Registration closes February 28.
Headlines
Events
Friday, January 28, 12:30-1:30 PM EST

Monday, January 31, 2:00 PM EST
Webinar - Great Resignation and Human Services: Combating Workforce Shortages in Public and Nonprofit Agencies - Social Current and the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA).

Thursday, February 10, 12:00-1:00 PM EST

Human Centered Design Self-led Practica - Online courses from Civilla designed for government staff and advocates to help build capacity and deliver impact at scale. This coursework is currently in a pilot phase and is on-demand.