March 22, 2024

Hello Donna,

The Call for Proposals is open for both the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Annual Education Conference and the Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference! APHSA is seeking proposals and presentations that speak to priorities across the broader human services sector. Please refer to the respective links for each conference to get more info, further guidelines, and to submit your proposal! The NSDTA Annual Education Conference proposal submission deadline is April 12. The EMWB Conference proposal submission deadline is April 19.

We continue to grow! APHSA is looking for a Process Innovation Associate to support the management of a variety of projects within our Process Innovation portfolio. You can apply now or share with interested parties in your network.

This Week in Washington will take a hiatus for the next two weeks in line with the 2024 congressional calendar. Look for us in your inbox again on April 12. In the meantime, we’ll keep you apprised of any important updates through our social media (linked above).

Congress Working to Avert a Shutdown

On Thursday, a $1.2 trillion spending package was introduced into Congress that will avert a partial government shutdown if passed today, March 22. The six bills will fund Health and Human Services, Education, Homeland Security, Defense, Labor, Financial Services, Legislative Branch and State and Foreign Operations. The proposed bill includes a $1 billion increase for child care and early learning programs to help more families find and afford child care.

The Office of Head Start Releases $102 Million in Available Funding for Head Start Expansion

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS) announced the availability of approximately $102 million to be competitively awarded to expand access to high-quality, comprehensive services to the families of infants and toddlers who live with low income. This will done through Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships or through the expansion of Head Start services and/or Early Head Start services.

FTC Report: Market Factors Relevant to Infant Formula Supply Disruptions

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a report on market factors relevant to infant formula supply disruptions. The report details aspects of the US infant formula market that rendered it vulnerable to supply disruptions in 2022 and outlines considerations for policymakers to help create a more resilient infant formula supply going forward. A portion of this report discusses the role that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) plays in the infant formula market.

Five More States Join Medicaid Direct Certification Demonstration Project

An announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shares that five new states were approved to participate in the Direct Certification with Medicaid Demonstration Projects for school year 2024–2025. That includes Idaho, Maine, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Rhode Island. The addition of these states increases access for children from households with low income, while also reducing the administrative burden for schools and parents/guardians, and improving program integrity.

Graphic Representation of States and Territories TANF Policy Differences

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE), in partnership with the Urban Institute, recently released graphical representations of selected state policy differences for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, using data from the Welfare Rules Database. The report includes information about initial eligibility, benefit amounts, work and activity requirements, and ongoing eligibility and time limits. It also details policies in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

OPRE Publishes Report on Home Visiting Programs

In a new report, OPRE examines the economic experiences of families experiencing pregnancy or who had children ages birth to five during the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2023). The report also explores how select early childhood home visiting programs supported families’ economic well-being during this time. It draws on existing literature and interviews to better understand the experiences of families and programs during the heights of the pandemic.

VIDEO: Tools for Strengthening Two-Generation Services - NS2G Team Members Share Lessons Learned

This recorded presentation, co-hosted by OPRE and Ascend at the Aspen Institute, describes the work that Next Steps for Rigorous Research on Two-Generation Approaches (NS2G) Project team members have guided over the past four years. Specifically, they review two-generation initiatives that have strengthened approaches for intentionally coordinating services for caregivers and their children (i.e., supporting child development and improving family economic security).

Recorded March 6

WEBINAR: AFCARS NPRM Public Information Session

The Administration for Children, Youth & Families (ACYF) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) amending the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations on February 23, 2024, with a comment period closing on April 23. ACYF will hold an information session for title IV-E agencies and the public providing an overview of the proposed rule.

March 25, 2:30 to 3:30 PM EST

WEBINAR: Mastering dX - Upskilling Your Workforce for the Age of AI

As part of a series by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ (NASWA’s) Workforce Information Technology Support Center (ITSC) on Mastering Digital Transformation (dX), this session will focus on helping system leaders better understand emerging technology and how it can be employed to improve system productivity and value for the customer. Panelists will explore AI and its potential role in system transformation.

March 28, 12:30 to 1:15 PM EST

WEBINAR: Less Poverty, More Prosperity – States Tackle Benefits Cliffs

Hosted by ACF, this webinar tackles the challenges of the benefits cliff – the gap between what someone will earn in a new position or job and the value of benefits lost due to increased income. Attendees will get an opportunity to learn possible federal actions available to them, join in a discussion on methods to distance the cliff effect from pathways to work, and engage in cross-state learning on ways to diminish the effect of this phenomenon.

April 11, 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST

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APHSA Career Center - Post Your Open Positions Today

APHSA serves as a clearinghouse for job opportunities throughout the Human Services sector. Employers reach a wide audience of candidates searching for careers and job seekers will find a number of opportunities throughout the country.