March 8, 2024

Hello Donna,

The ISM + PHSA Education Conference & Expo has opened its Call for Proposals! ISM and PHSA are now accepting submissions from government and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) for consideration to present at their Education Conference & Expo in Aurora, CO, October 6 to 9. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 22. To learn more, follow this link.

We're growing! APHSA is looking for a Process Innovation Associate to support the management of a variety of projects within our Process Innovation portfolio. We also have an open position for a Child Welfare Compact Associate. Their role will be to assist the Director of Interstate Affairs and Compact Operations. Apply now or share with interested parties in your network!

Look through our latest blog post on The Catalyst, "How Leaders Establish a Culture of Well-Being." This is part six in our Organizational Effectiveness series and tackles the centrality of leadership in creating a workplace culture that enhances health and safety, while also detailing why and how leaders can make that happen. After you read, be sure to also share with others!

Members of the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee Introduce TANF Reauthorization Package

Over the last two weeks, members of the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee have introduced a package of reforms comprising seven bills that reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. In the coming weeks, APHSA's National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA) Executive Advisory Council and TANF Modernization Workgroup will meet to assess the extent to which these reforms align with our TANF Modernization Core Principles and Legislative Framework. For links to each of the seven bills, read the press release linked below.

ACF Published the CCDF Final Rule to Improve Affordability, Access, and Quality

A new rule published by the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) updates the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations. It helps families using CCDF by reducing their child care expenses, making payments to child care providers better and faster, and making it easier to sign up for the child care subsidy program. Additionally, it encourages states to let families be considered eligible for child care subsidies right away.

Applying for State CIP Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025

A new Program Instruction (PI) provides guidance on the eligibility requirements and grant application procedures for the State Court Improvement Program (CIP) grant for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, including updating the five-year strategic plan, and to provide guidance on the requirements for state courts to continuously assess and improve the handling of court proceedings related to child welfare and enhance collaboration with title IV-B/IV-E agencies and tribes.

Partnering with MIECHV: New Matching Grant Opportunity

The Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program is providing grants to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. Beginning in FY 2024, states/jurisdictions have the opportunity to apply for matching grants, with the amounts available increasing from $50M in FY 2024 to $300M in FY 2027. Human services leaders can connect with MIECHV recipients to identify any existing investments in their state, identify gaps in resources that may prohibit the state from qualifying for the full match, and coordinate service delivery resources in well-designed statewide early childhood systems.

ACF’s TANF Data Innovation (TDI)

ACF’s TANF Data Innovation (TDI) project supported innovation and efficiency within the TANF program by expanding use of its administrative data. This represented an important investment in using existing agency data to understand and manage the TANF program. This brief linked below describes TDI’s efforts to transform federal TANF and employment data into an integrated resource for program management and evidence building.

Video Series Exploring How Family Input Can Be Applied to Improve TANF and Child Support Programs

ACF has released a video series consisting of three short videos on why and how to use family input to improve programs. They feature interviews with five TANF and other human services experts, ranging from program directors to individuals with lived experience in human services programs. The videos were developed by Project IMPROVE and the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE). Follow the link below and click on “Access Resource Here” to watch the video.

Protections Restored for Beneficiaries of Federally Funded Social Services

Nine federal agencies finalized a rule that restores important religious liberty protections for beneficiaries of federally funded social services, such as job training and job search assistance, academic enrichment opportunities, and housing services. The final rule also maintains longstanding protections for faith-based providers of federally funded social services. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is among the agencies that have issued this new rule.

The Office of Child Care Releases Preliminary FY 2021 CCDF Data Tables

The Office of Child Care (OCC) requires state and territory lead agencies to report annual aggregate and monthly case-level data on services provided to children and families through CCDF. The data gathered for tables includes information on children and families served through CCDF as well as information on CCDF providers.

Wisconsin Works RFP is Live

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the administration of the Wisconsin Works program and related services. Use the link below to access the Department of Administration's portal and submit a proposal for the posting "Wisconsin Works (W-2) Administration.”

HHS Releases National Human Trafficking Prevention Framework

HHS, through the HHS Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking, released the National Human Trafficking Prevention Framework. Building on decades of work to prevent violence, this framework is a resource for organizations, communities and governments seeking to strengthen efforts to prevent human trafficking. It reflects research and best practices in violence prevention and health promotion, as well as the expertise of people who have experienced human trafficking and allied professionals.

VIDEO: Community Eligibility Provision 101 by USDA FNS

Last month, the USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Child Nutrition Programs hosted a webinar titled "Community Eligibility Provision 101." It was meant for state Agency and School Food Authority staff focused on the Community Eligibility Provision. Follow the link below to watch the full webinar as well as access slides and related content.

Recorded February

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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.