On Tuesday, APHSA’s Chloe Green, Manager of Food and Nutrition Services, testified before the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture at a hearing on “Exploring State Options in SNAP.” She was joined by APHSA members Joy Bivens, Deputy County Administrator of Health and Human Services for Franklin County (OH), on behalf of the National Association of Counties (NACo), and Korin Schmidt, Director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services. They testified about how states utilize SNAP options within an otherwise prescriptive federal framework. Witnesses discussed the considerations that go into the choices they make related to applications, certification periods, verification and reporting requirements, the use of technology, automation, staffing, and more. They also fielded questions on the implementation and implications of OBBBA/H.R. 1. In case you were unable to watch the live stream, you can watch the recording. | APHSA recently released AI-Powered SNAP Modernization: Assessing Potential Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on Customer Experience, the final brief in a three-part series on the use of AI in SNAP case processing. This brief explores how implementation of AI solutions in SNAP case management might impact customer experience. Building on previous publications introducing AI and assessing the policy landscape surrounding its use in SNAP, this brief draws on input from people with lived experience accessing SNAP to explore topics of transparency, customer centricity, and risk management. | The ISM Education Conference & Expo kicks off this Sunday in Reno but it’s not too late to register! Don’t miss your chance to learn about the latest technology trends transforming human services and connect with the brightest in tech! | |
The MAHA Report: MAHA Commission Unveils Strategy to Make Our Children Healthy Again
The Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has launched the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap with more than 120 initiatives to reverse rising rates of childhood chronic disease. This plan focuses on advancing science-based research, reforming food and health systems, expanding public awareness, and fostering private-sector collaboration.
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Future Rulemaking on Child Care and Development Block Grant Flexibility
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at enhancing the flexibility and reducing administrative burdens of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program. The proposal seeks to broaden parental choice and streamline program administration under 45 CFR Part 98, consistent with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and Section 418 of the Social Security Act. The rule is designated as both economically significant and major; and carries a deregulatory designation under Executive Order 14192. Publication of the NPRM is anticipated in February 2026.*
* Note: This is a notice that the proposed rulemaking is expected in February of 2026. There is no draft text yet.
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Update on Implementing Provisions of Public Law (Pub. L.) 118-258, The Supporting America’s Children and Families Act
The purpose of this Information Memorandum is to provide state, tribal, and territorial agencies and Court Improvement Program (CIP) grantees an update regarding implementation of the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act.
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New Resources Available for Improving Respite Care Services for Caregivers
The ARCH National Respite Network, through its Administration for Community Living (ACL)-funded grant to manage the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance and Resource Center, has released new caregiver respite resources for lifespan respite grantees, partners, state and local agencies, and community and faith-based groups.
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Best Practices for Implementing the Continuum of Crisis Services
This guidance, which was developed jointly by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with input from healthcare providers and other stakeholders, is intended to provide a practical guide for states and other stakeholders on effective practices in crisis services as well as the federal authorities under which states can finance and enhance the availability of crisis response services in Medicaid and CHIP. It highlights effective strategies for crisis response services, describes specific Medicaid and CHIP authorities and flexibilities to support the full continuum of crisis services, and provides an overview of strategies for measuring and monitoring crisis response services.
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Registration Open for All Remaining 2025 APHSA Conferences
IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Education Conference & Expo (September 14-17): Held in Reno, NV, this is the premier event for exploring the latest technology trends and innovations in human services IT, bringing together professionals to share solutions and strategies. We hope to see you in Reno next week!
National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference (October 5-8): Held in Norfolk, VA, this conference supports workforce development professionals by providing training, tools, and peer learning opportunities to enhance staff development. There's still time to register!
Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference (October 19-22): Held in Reno, NV, we're hosting legal professionals within human services in a conference that covers legal trends, policy updates, and best practices in public sector law.
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Upcoming Webinar
September 23 | 2:00-3:00pm ET
One Big Beautiful Bill and Beyond: What’s Changing in Federal Eligibility Rules
Join us for a webinar discussing several recent changes to rules governing eligibility for federal human services programs in the recently enacted budget bill H.R. 1 (often referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or OBBBA) and in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recent revisions to its interpretation of “Federal public benefits under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
This webinar is being hosted by APHSA on behalf its affinity group, the Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA), and presented by Phil Peisch, Managing Partner and Julia Seigenberg, Senior Associate from Brown & Peisch, PLLC.
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Partnerships for Alignment, Credentialing, and Employment (PACE)
November 6 | 1:00-2:30pm ET
APHSA will be kicking off PACE in early November, a new peer-learning community that will meet four times virtually with a culminating in-person event at our Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference in 2026. PACE will provide human services agency administrators of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), and child care programs opportunities to strengthen their partnerships and coordination with higher education/postsecondary credentialing partners and discover strategies to enhance human services postsecondary alignment. When these partnerships are strong, benefits recipients can more easily enroll in high-quality upskilling opportunities and current students can ensure their basic needs are met through public assistance programs. This peer learning community will offer dedicated time to elevate barriers, learn from peers about innovative approaches, and uplift best practices.
PACE's first kickoff call will be held on Thursday, November 6 at 1:00pm ET. To learn more and get updates about this initiative, please complete this quick interest form.
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