February 9, 2023

Hello Donna,

The APHSA National Human Services Summit 2024 is taking place June 9 to 12! There is one week left to act on our open Call for Papers. Be sure to submit your materials by February 16 and join us in “Shaping the Future of Human Services."

APHSA proudly acknowledges the enduring legacy of African Americans being celebrated during this year’s Black History Month. Every day in February serves as a reminder of the remarkable accomplishments, cultural impacts, and pivotal roles played by African Americans in moving our country forward. As human services professionals, this month also drives home the need for us to continue confronting the structural inequalities that are a legacy of the systems we work within. For videos, articles, and other resources to help enrich your understanding of Black History Month, visit the National Archives.

OPRE Publishes a Brief Highlighting Central City Concern in Portland

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) is funding the study of a supportive housing program in Portland, OR. The program, operated by Central City Concern (CCC), provides treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) along with housing and employment services. Through the Building Evidence on Employment Strategies (BEES) project, OPRE is conducting an evaluation of its outcomes. BEES is part of OPRE’s Innovative Strategies for Addressing Employment Barriers Portfolio, which seeks to evaluate the next generation of employment strategies.

ACF Announces Themes for National Child Abuse Prevention and National Foster Care Month

The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) has announced the theme for April's National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) 2024: “Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge to the Change.” The theme urges us to intentionally explore, engage, and invest in innovative, new ideas to transform the way we partner with families in the delivery of services and supports. Additionally, for National Foster Care Prevention Month (NFCM) taking place in May, ACF has announced this year's theme of "Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities." Sign up below to stay connected on these campaigns.

FNS Releases FY2025 SNAP Outreach Priority Areas

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released priorities for Fiscal Year 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) State Outreach Plans. The areas include people impacted by the new Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) policies passed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), older adults and people with disabilities, students, immigrants, and mixed-status households.

DOL Women's Bureau Webinar on Mentoring Women in Trades

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Women’s Bureau is hosting a webinar on February 13, from 8:00 to 9:00 PM EST, where an expert panel will discuss the need for structured mentorship for women in the trades. Panelists will focus on best practices for program startups and review successful program structures.

Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Resources

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working with other federal agencies to provide key resources in one centralized location so that agencies and organizations can better assist people with Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) who need to renew their health coverage or find other coverage options that may be a better fit for them.

WIC Works Resource System Publishes Infant Formula Preparation and Storage Guidelines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new web page under the WIC Works Resource System banner filled with information on preparing and storing infant formula. The resources also include advice for parents and other caregivers, handling infant formula safely, and more.

WEBINAR: AI-Enhanced Curriculum - Using Generative Technologies to Assist with Training Development and Evaluation

This upcoming National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Showcase Series will explore the transformative potential of Generative AI on training. The session will unpack the nuances of generative AI technology and highlight its practical uses in content creation, knowledge assessment, and e-learning. Learn the basics of crafting effective AI prompts, explore ethical considerations, address AI limitations, ensure data privacy while customizing AI to fit organizational needs, and more!

February 28, 3:00 to 4:00 PM EST

WEBINAR: How Modernizing the Grants Process Can Reshape Community Impact

Grant funds can be used to improve existing services or develop new initiatives that directly address the specific needs of the communities we serve. However, to get those funds out the door and track them to success sometimes takes tremendous effort and time. To solve that issue, Hillsborough County partnered with EY to create compliance and improve confidence in grant distribution. In this webinar brought to you EY, an APHSA Strategic Industry Partner, you'll learn how Hillsborough County implemented tactics for effective grants change, and how your agency can do the same in support of your constituents.

February 29, 2:00 to 3:00 PM EST

WEBINAR: Bringing Families Home - Evaluating Housing Supports to Reduce Child Welfare Involvement

Watch this previously recorded webinar to learn about the impact of the Bringing Families Home program in San Francisco. In this recording, Chapin Hall experts present key findings from their recent evaluation and offer valuable insight into the program's success in securing housing, preventing out-of-home care placements, and supporting family reunification.

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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.