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January 17, 2024

Hello Jessica,

Save the date for the upcoming APHSA sponsored conferences in 2025! Each year, we work on behalf of our members and partners to provide a distinct range of events designed to educate and inform human services professionals. Each conference showcases innovations within the human services sector while fostering peer-to-peer engagement. Check out the 2025 APHSA Conference schedule and keep a look out for upcoming calls for papers, registration, and more.

Moving Human Services Upstream

New Brief on Children Entering Foster Care

The Office of Human Services Policy (HSP) has released a comprehensive analysis titled, "Prevalence and Characteristics of Children Entering Foster Care to Receive Behavioral Health or Disability Services." It examines cases where parents relinquish custody of their children, not due to maltreatment, but to secure necessary behavioral health or disability services. The brief is meant to provide insights into the systemic challenges families face in accessing essential services, highlighting the pressing need for policy reforms to support children without necessitating custody relinquishment.

Office of Child Care Recently Released Fact Sheets on CCDF

The Office of Child Care (OCC) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently released three new fact sheets that summarize data from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2027 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State/Territory Plan that were submitted by Lead Agencies last fall. The fact sheets focus on important policy priorities, including CCDF income eligibility limits, family co-payments, and provider payment rates.

Advancing Social and Economic Mobility

FNS Issues Clarification on Quality Control 310 Handbook

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo clarifying the application of Sections 751 and 752 in the FNS 310 Handbook, which guides Quality Control (QC) procedures for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).These clarifications aim to standardize QC reviews and ensure consistent application of SNAP policies across state agencies.

TANF Proposed Rule Withdrawal

This month, ACF withdrew proposed changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations introduced in October 2023, which aimed to clarify fund usage, define "needy," and adjust compliance rules. After receiving over 7,000 stakeholder comments, the proposal was withdrawn to allow for further public input and exploration of alternatives. The withdrawal allows flexibility for future stakeholder input and exploration of alternatives.

Office of Child Care Seeks Public Feedback

OCC is requesting comment on the proposed application for disaster relief funding provided in the American Relief Act, 2025.

FNS Shares Summer EBT Steps for Verification of Eligibility

To provide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) benefits effectively, agencies need robust processes to confirm children's eligibility. To support this verification process, FNS has provided a number of resources on their website.

FNS Issues Memo on Expiration of Federal Authority to Replace Stolen Benefits

FNS announced the conclusion of the federal program that reimbursed stolen SNAP benefits, initially authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. This initiative covered fraud cases like card skimming from October 1, 2022, to December 20, 2024. Benefits stolen after December 21, 2024 are no longer eligible for replacement. FNS urges states to notify SNAP households about the program's conclusion and offer tips to protect their benefits from fraud.

APHSA Events

WEBINAR: A Holistic Approach to Workplace Wellness in 2025

It’s time to consider individual and workplace wellness as we kick off the new year. Join us for a National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) learning event to engage in a collaborative discussion on holistic workplace wellness in evolving work environments. Together, we will share insights, strategies, and innovations to support personal and corporate wellness through the lens of the eight dimensions of wellness..

January 28, 2025 3:00-4:00 pm ET

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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.