July 14, 2023

Hello Donna,

We are excited to share the latest from our 2023 Farm Bill recommendations publication series, The Path Forward: State and Local Policy Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. The third policy brief in this series, titled, Navigating the SNAP Cliff: Building Bridges to Scale High Impact SNAP E&T Programming, takes a look at the unintentional cliff effect within current SNAP legislation impacting E&T participants: the work-based learning quagmire. Check it out or catch up on the full series here.

This week marks the kick off of season 2 of the APHSA podcast, Our Dream Deferred: Fulfilling the Nation’s Promise. In episode 1, co-hosts Tracy Wareing Evans and Karen Heller Key take a moment to reflect on their journey to creating the podcast, and their individual roles as advocates for positive social change. Episode 2, Unwritten Rules that Shape Us, is also available for streaming and features Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Levy Paluck of Princeton University. Learn more here or search Our Dream Deferred on your preferred streaming platform. 

Work & Welfare Subcommittee Holds Second Hearing on TANF

On Juy 12, the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee held its second hearing this year on TANF. The hearing focused on non-assistance TANF spending, and included Clarence Carter (Tennessee Department of Human Services), Shad White (Mississippi Office of the State Auditor), Robert Knodell (Missouri Department of Social Services), Kristi Putnam (Arkansas Department of Human Services), and Dr. Aisha Nyandoro (Springboard to Opportunities) as witnesses. APHSA will continue to work with its members to provide comment on the hearing that advances a productive narrative on TANF reform. 

ACF Seeks Comments on HomVEE Handbook Updates

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeks public comment on proposed revisions to the procedures and standards that guide the Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) systematic evidence review. The proposed revisions include procedures related to virtual home visiting research. They also include updates to clarify HomVEE’s definition of subgroups, limit the eligibility of certain findings for review, and strengthen standards for validity. Comments are due by July 28, 2023.

Louisiana to Test New Way to Encourage Healthy Eating in SNAP

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service announced on June 29 that Louisiana will receive $9.5 million to test out a new model for incentivizing fruit and vegetable purchases among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Colorado, Louisiana, and Washington will receive a total of $25 million as well as federal support to establish and operate an electronic healthy incentives pilot (eHIP) intended to streamline incentives and make it easier for SNAP households to access the healthy foods necessary for lifelong health and well-being.      

APHSA Comment Letter: Understanding States' SNAP Customer Service Strategies

APHSA recently submitted a comment letter responding to proposed study activities by FNS to understand states' SNAP customer service strategies. APHSA's recommendations emphasize including customers in the study and centering a framework of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

USDA Updates on Approving State Plans for Replacing Stolen SNAP Benefits

In late 2022, Congress passed a law to help SNAP participants who are victims of card skimming, cloning, and other similar methods for stealing benefits. The law allows for the replacement of benefits stolen through these methods in limited circumstances. All 50 states, D.C., Guam and the U.S. Virgins Islands have submitted state plans for carrying out these replacements, and FNS is currently in the process of reviewing and approving plans.

ACF Releases Proposed Rule on Improving Child Care Access, Affordability, and Stability in the Child Care and Development Fund

This week, ACF published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations to lower costs and increase options for families, improve provider payment rates and practices, and make enrollment easier and faster. Comments are due by August 28.

National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee Year 1 Report

The National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC) has released its first congressional report to provide findings and recommendations on the National AI Initiative.

Early Registration Rates Still Available

There's still time to receive early registration rates for both the Economic Mobility and Well-Being (EMWB) Conference being held this August in Long Beach, CA and the IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) and Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Conference being held this September in Kissimmee, FL. Don't miss your opportunity!

Upcoming Webinar - PHE Unwinding Check In: Stay on Course or Time to Pivot Your Plan?

Join us along with Change & Innovation Agency as we host a dynamic lineup of Medicaid and human services agency leaders and national experts to have a candid conversation about how PHE unwinding is going. During our time together, they will discuss what was expected vs. the reality of what their agencies are experiencing, and how they are pivoting plans to increase their efforts and ensure those eligible continue to receive the healthcare coverage they need. 

Wednesday, July 26, 1:30 PM ET

Upcoming Webinar - Disappearing Administrative Burden through Ex Parte Renewals

Code for America will host a webinar on their experience working with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to maximize the reach of the ex parte renewal process for the state’s aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid clients. Participants will learn what works when it comes to leveraging ex parte renewals for non-MAGI populations and what policy and technology practices to use to maximize the impact of this under-used practice.

Thursday, July 20, 1:00 to 2:00 PM ET

NASWA Masterclass Series: Accelerating Workforce Digital Transformation

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Workforce ITSC is hosting a 4-part Masterclass Series event titled Accelerating Workforce Digital Transformation. This event is an interactive, team-based experience in which state teams will learn how to create a vision for digital transformation, define their current state and problems to be addressed, assemble the right team, and produce a specific action plan in their digital transformation journey.

This event is open to state teams from NASWA member agencies, WIOA state agency partners, and workforce board executive staff. The registration deadline is July 24.

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. Explore today!

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