On Monday, December 21, Congress passed the COVID-19 Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act as part of an appropriations package that funds the federal government through federal fiscal year 2021. The bill was signed into law by the President on December 27. The over $900 billion COVID-19 relief package covers a wide range of human services and related priorities. APHSA has summarized the relevant provisions that impact human services delivery.

APHSA has submitted comments in response to the Request for Information on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery published on November 25, 2020 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The request for information seeks input on the importance of waivers and flexibilities issued by HHS during the public health emergency and their potential need to be continued after the public health emergency. APHSA’s response reflects feedback received from its members responsible for administering human services programs funded through HHS.

In follow-up to Congress authorizing a temporary Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit increase, effective January 1, USDA Food and Nutrition Services has issued guidance to states with adjusted maximum and minimum allotments to be used for determining revised SNAP benefit amounts.

Join the Administration for Children and Families for a webinar highlighting how three states - Oklahoma, Arizona, and Indiana have adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and put children and families first. Q&A session with Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson and Associate Commissioner Jerry Milner.

Join the Urban Institute for a discussion about how community engaged methods (CEM) can amplify the power of people with lived experience in rigorous, high-quality research. CEM are one set of tools to limit further harm, to develop more effective programs, policies, and systemic changes, and to further invest in communities who have been marginalized throughout history. Whether we call it civic engagement, human-centered design, or community-based participatory research, CEM seek to shift decisionmaking power, respond to histories of harm, and prioritize sustainable interventions.

Beginning Thursday, January 21, 2021, join us for an exciting new virtual mini-series! Slated to take place from January to June on the Third Thursday of the month, each event will offer rich content equivalent to a day spent at a traditional conference with an array of sessions and networking opportunities. ​Bringing policy, practice, and program together on one platform, this unique series will showcase best practices and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and will also zoom in on agency management in child welfare, SNAP, TANF, IT, performance management, and child care.

Certificates of attendance will be provided for the pursuit of continuing education (CE) credits. One registration gives you full access all year long! Group discount available for five or more registrants. Learn more!