May 12, 2023

Hello Donna,

The APHSA National Human Services Summit 2023 is only one week away! Registration is still open, making now the time to save your place. Look through the agenda and register today!

Bipartisan Group of Congress Members Introduce Bill Supporting Job Seekers Receiving SNAP

This week, Reps. Espaillat (D-NY), Miller (R-OH), Adams (D-NC), and Molinaro (R-NY) introduced the Training and Nutrition Stability Act (TNSA), which would consistently disregard subsidized income from workforce programs as being counted toward Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility. This bill would support job seekers and their households in earning family-sustaining wages while continuing to put good food on the table. While the introduction of this bill is just the start, APHSA looks forward to continuing to partner with Congress and our members to pass a 2023 Farm Bill that reduces benefits cliffs and supports children and families for the long term. Review APHSA's full list of Farm Bill recommendations.

Debt Ceiling Discussions Continue on a Difficult Path Forward

The debt ceiling continues to factor into almost every aspect of government and business, including human services. Republican and Democratic leaders are expected to meet next week to address the steps forward in the debt ceiling resolution.

HHS Launches New Website to Help Find Support for Mental Health, Drugs, or Alcohol

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched FindSupport.gov, to help people identify available resources, explore information about various treatment options, and learn how to reach out to get the support they need for issues related to mental health, drugs, or alcohol.

ACF Releases 2021 State-Specific Foster Care Data

Last week, the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) released state-specific foster care data for fiscal year 2021. The report details information on race and ethnicity for foster care entries by state and the disproportionality rates associated with those entries. The report is released annually.

DHS Announces Upcoming Re-parole Process for Afghan Nationals

The Department of Homeland Security has established a process to re-parole eligible Afghan nationals who were evacuated to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. Qualifying individuals will be able to request re-parole through both online and paper processes beginning in June. The notice describes a plan to open Afghan support centers across the U.S., the first of which will open on May 17 in Arizona.

End of the Public Health Emergency on May 11

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration officially ended on May 11. It was initially put in place on January 27, 2020. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) guidance for preparing for the end of PHE is available. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a fact sheet linked below.

New Report from OPRE: Linking Child Welfare and Medicaid Data

Last week, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and ACF’s Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) released a report that details best practices and lessons learned from two states on linking child welfare and Medicaid data. The report is part of the Child and Caregiver Outcomes Using Linked Data (CCOULD) project that began in 2019.

White House Issues Fact Sheet on New Border Enforcement Actions

The administration has posted a fact sheet outlining its comprehensive plan for managing the end of Title 42 and immigration at the Southern U.S. Border. The announcement marks a return to the processing of non-citizens under Title 8.

Request for Comments: U.S. Core Data for Interoperability New Data Element Submission Form

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is seeking input to expand the information collection request item, United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI). The USCDI is a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elements used to support nationwide, interoperable health information exchange. Anyone may submit proposals for new data elements and classes. Comments close June 7.

Modernizing Channels of Communication with USDA SNAP Participants

FNS has released findings from a study on the current landscape of mobile communication strategies (MCS) technology, and highlights best practices as well as lessons learned from various MCS programs implemented by SNAP state agencies.

OPRE Co-Regulation in Human Services Project Page

OPRE’s new Co-Regulation in Human Services project page highlights resources that address a broad range of relationship contexts across ACF programs.

Nominations for the 2023 APHSA Emerging Leaders

Nominations for the 2023 APHSA Emerging Leaders Program are open. Consider nominating an up-and-coming leader within your organization for this opportunity! Learn more about the application details and nominate someone today.

Deadline: June 7

Advancing Data Equity Across Human Services Systems

While data has the potential to highlight racial disproportionality and support positive community outcomes, data practices also have the power to reinforce bias and systemic inequalities across our human services systems. This 90-minute webinar will bring together leaders at the intersection of data and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) to discuss some of the ways in which data equity is redefining how data is collected, analyzed, and shared to maximize the public good. 

June 1, 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST

New Federal Council Being Established to Reduce Child Poverty and Improve Child Well-Being

The Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) at the University of Wisconsin, in partnership with HHS, invites letters of interest for a year-long, full-time temporary assignment with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) to assist with establishing the Children's Interagency Coordinating Council (CICC) and serve as the CICC Coordinator. The intent of the CICC is to foster greater coordination and transparency on child policy across agencies.

Letter of Interest Due: June 2

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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