APHSA is excited to launch the APHSA National Leadership Academy. Co-developed by APHSA and Social Current, and supported by a philanthropic investment, the goal for participants is simple: Inspire action. Create change. Sustain impact. This program is designed for human services leaders committed to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals and communities. It embraces a holistic, people-centered, leadership learning philosophy that goes beyond traditional learning models. If you are a state or local government mid-level leader and eager to elevate your impact, learn more and apply today! | |
This Week in Washington will be off next week, in line with the Congressional calendar. Keep a look out for us in your inbox again on December 6. Until then, we hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! We’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any important updates through our social media (linked above) and website. |
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Moving Human Services Upstream | |
Request for Comment: Guidance for SNAP Certification and QC Interviews
The Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) within the USDA is requesting comments on the Guidance for SNAP Certification and Quality Control (QC) Interviews. The project aims to produce new guides for SNAP eligibility and QC interviews that SNAP agencies will have the option to use or adapt.
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ACF Guidance on Enhancing Housing Support for Tribal Early Childhood Workforce
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released an Information Memorandum directed to Tribal Child Care and Development Fund lead agencies, American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start award recipients, as well as Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting recipients. The guidance highlights the importance of collaboration with Tribal leaders to understand and address unique challenges. Key issues include recruiting individuals with appropriate qualifications, providing adequate compensation, and managing high stress levels among staff.
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Child Welfare Information Gateway Shares Court Resources
The Children's Bureau and Child Welfare Information Gateway recently shared a collection of resources for understanding the court systems. This collection was designed to support child welfare agencies and legal communities in their collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for children and families. The collection includes briefs, factsheets, and podcasts.
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ACF Inaugural Data Strategy to Improve Services for Children and Families
ACF released its inaugural data strategy aimed at improving services for children and families. The strategy focuses on enhancing data capacity, sharing data through community-centered tools, and using predictive analytics and AI to support proactive and holistic service delivery. The ACF blog post that published the data strategy, states that the resource is a public commitment on their behalf to better use, share, and analyze data to improve operations and policy decisions.
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Advancing Social and Economic Mobility | |
Request for Public Comment: CCDF Plan for Tribes for FY 2026–2028
The Office of Child Care (OCC) within ACF is requesting a three-year extension of the Child Care and Development Fund for Tribes (form ACF-118A) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2028. "The majority of the plan in this request is for Tribal Lead Agencies that receive their funding directly from ACF and does not apply to Tribes that consolidate their funding into approved 102-477 plans."
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ACF Peer Support Survey
ACF has launched a new peer support services survey to hear directly from program providers/administrators and peer support workers. The 15- to 20-minute survey aims to understand how to strengthen and sustain peer support services within social services programs. By learning from existing programs and identifying interests and gaps, ACF hopes to guide the development of future resources. The findings will inform various agency activities, explore emerging needs, and improve programs to better support those we serve.
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Strengthening the Human Services Sector | |
USDA Letter to Governors - SNAP EBT Chip Cards
United States Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack recently sent a letter to governors on the importance of safeguarding SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards against fraud. He shared that standards were updated in August to allow for chip card implementation to further prevent misuse and theft. The letter states, "The USDA strongly urges all states to adopt the new EBT standards, and to work with your EBT processor and SNAP retailers in your state to transition to SNAP chip cards as soon as feasible." FNS is currently working with states who have expressed interest in the SNAP EBT chip cards pilot.
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President Biden Issues Apology on Indian Boarding Schools
In October, President Joe Biden issued a formal apology for the country's role in forcing Indigenous children into boarding schools, where many were physically, emotionally, and sexually abused, and where more than 950 died. President Biden said, “I’m doing something I should have done a long time ago: To make a formal apology to the Indian nations for the way we treated their children for so many years.” These boarding schools existed for over 150 years.
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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.
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