October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Learn about promising practices for casework that involves both child welfare and domestic violence with resources from the Child Welfare Information Gateway here. | |
Our latest Catalyst blog post is by Molly Tierney of Accenture, sharing how interacting in virtual reality provides child welfare professionals with a low-risk, high-reward learning experience for providing trauma-informed care to teens. | |
It's not too late to share your thoughts! Our member engagement survey is still open until Wednesday, October 19! A few minutes of your time will help us plan for the future and provide valuable insights to keep our work rooted in our collective vision. | |
APHSA is growing! We have several new job postings, including VP of External Relations, Policy Associate, Assistant Director of Policy, People Engagement Associate and NEICE Project Coordinator. Check them all out here. Apply now or share with interested parties in your network. | |
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Senators Hassan and Young Introduce Bipartisan Legislation
to Help Foster Youth Obtain Driver’s Licenses
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced legislation to aid foster youth in obtaining driver’s licenses. The Foster Youth and Driving Act attempts to limit the financial barriers to obtaining and maintaining a driver’s license, including licensing fees and car insurance.
Read Press Release
Read Bill Text
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Child and Family Well-Being | |
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ACF Awards $11.2 Million to Grantees for Domestic Violence Survivors
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded $11.2 million to one tribal and 13 state child support agencies to implement domestic violence services for survivors who need assistance accessing child support. The awards were distributed as Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) demonstration grants and a companion grant, the SAVES Center. The project period for the SAVES grants is five years.
Read Press Release
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HHS Awards $8.8 Million in Regional Partnership Grants for Families Affected by Substance Use
The Administration for Children and Families recently awarded $8.8 million to increase well-being, improve permanency and enhance the safety of children who are in, or at risk of, an out-of-home placement as a result of a parent's or caregiver's opioid or other substance misuse. Regional partnership grants will be cooperative agreements with $600,000 in funding annually for five years.
Read Press Release
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Introducing the Reasonable Efforts Findings Study
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) introduced the Reasonable Efforts Findings Study (REFS), a case study with the purpose of understanding how judges who rule on child welfare cases’ reasonable efforts decisions affect child welfare case outcomes. This study is being carried out in an effort to fill the research gap on how judges’ decisions can affect case outcomes as they play a critical role in child welfare.
Read Brief
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ACF Request for Comment: Submission for OMB Review; State CIP
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a three-year extension of the Court Improvement Program (CIP) Strategic Plan Template and Annual CIP Self-Assessment (Office of Management and Budget [OMB] #0970-0307, expiration November 30, 2022), with minor updates to reflect new legislation and support technical assistance. Public comments are due by October 31.
Read Notice & Submit Comment
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Employment and Economic Well-Being | |
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APHSA Sends Letter to FNS Expressing Concerns & Recommendations for 2022-2023 P-EBT Administration
APHSA has issued a letter to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) highlighting the administrative challenges states are facing to implement federal guidance for the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program for school year 2022-2023. Under the guidance released in September, students that shifted to homeschooling or virtual learning in schools not participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are newly eligible and must be included in states’ P-EBT plans for school-aged students. The new requirement is expected to impact the timeline and ability for many states to submit P-EBT plans for this school year.
Read Letter
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HHS Posts Report on Gap in Enrollment for Nutrition
Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) posted a report that looks at the gap in children who are eligible for nutrition assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), but who are not enrolled. Of those participating in other human services programs, 39% of children 0-4 and 9% of children 0-17 were eligible but not enrolled in WIC and SNAP, respectively.
Read Report
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FNS Posts Implementation of NAC Memo
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted a memo on the implementation of the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) Interim Final Rule.
Read Memo
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FNS Proposed Collection on the Relationship Between Poverty, Well-Being & Food Security
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted a proposed information collection to better understand the relationship between poverty, well-being, and food security. Data will be collected from six counties experiencing persistent intergenerational poverty to better understand the interrelated factors to food insecurity. Public comments are due by December 12.
Read Notice & Submit Comment
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ORR Extends Approved Waivers and Flexibilities
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) issued Policy Letter 22-16, which extends ORR approved waivers and flexibilities delineated in ORR PL 21-08 through December 31, 2022. This enables a variety of ORR eligible populations, including newly eligible populations, to receive critical assistance and services such as Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance.
Read Letter
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Informational Webinar: RFP for Coordinating SNAP & Nutrition Supports, Cohort 2
Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry, in partnership with APHSA, will be launching a second round of Coordinating SNAP & Nutrition Supports (CSNS) grant funding. State or local SNAP agencies, in collaboration with their trusted community partners are invited to submit applications for funding to implement community-led process changes to scale solutions that reduce hunger and advance equity in their state or county. Join APHSA and SOS for an informational webinar discussing this funding opportunity.
Tuesday, October 18, 1:00 PM ET
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APHSA and Beeck Center Digital Benefits Hub Launch
APHSA and the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University have partnered to launch a Digital Benefits Hub—a dynamic, open-source library of resources, case studies, and implementation tools for public benefits professionals. Join us virtually for our launch, featuring a demonstration of features and content, with the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and contribute to the hub!
Thursday, October 20, 1:00 PM ET
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Upcoming APHSA Conferences | |
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National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference
The 2022 National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center in Spokane, WA. This conference brings together human services organizational development, staff development, and training professionals at the local, state, and federal levels. Join us for the opportunity to share ideas, resources, and engage in robust sessions. We are focusing on forward-thinking ideas about instructional design, workforce development, evaluation and research, and much more!
October 16-19, 2022
The 2022 NSDTA Conference registration is sold out! If you missed the opportunity to register, it’s not too late. Please complete this form so we can add you to our waitlist should we have any cancellations. Sign up now for the on-demand package, which will include the live stream during the conference of all general sessions. Normally priced at $295, we are offering a pre-purchase price of $200 - a $95 savings when purchased prior to October 19. If you have any questions, please contact the APHSA Events Team at [email protected].
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Information Technology Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Annual Conference & Expo
The 2022 Information Technology Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Annual Conference & Expo will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. This event brings together agency leaders in technology, along with the private sector firms focused on providing solutions for health and human services agencies. The content presented will promote IT solutions and best practices that enhance the delivery of health and human services.
October 23-26, 2022
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Webinar: A Conversation on Engaging People with Lived Experience with Human Services Programs
Join the National Association for Welfare Research & Statistics (NAWRS) for a dialogue between people with lived experience. The speakers of this session include people who have engaged with state and federal agencies and research organizations, as well as representatives from those agencies and organizations who prioritize the voices of individuals and families with lived experience.
Monday, October 17, 3:00 PM ET
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Charting a Resilient Future for US Workers: Solutions to Navigate an Uncertain Economy
Join WorkRise and its partners for a virtual conference to explore the challenge and promise of the current moment, innovative policies and practices aimed at improving job quality and economic mobility, and creative, cross-sector solutions that are turning risk into resilience so that workers, businesses, and communities can thrive.
APHSA President & CEO Tracy Wareing Evans will speak on a Research-to-Action Panel: "Applying Evidence to Inform to Support Resilience," on Tuesday, October 18.
October18-20, 2022
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Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding: What to Know and How to Prepare, A Partner Education Monthly Series
Join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a series of calls running through December 2022 on the Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding, to share what agencies and partners should know and guidance on how to prepare for the forthcoming unwinding.
October 26, 12:00 PM ET
December 7, 12:00 PM ET
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APHSA Career Center - Post Your Open Positions Today
APHSA serves as a clearinghouse for job opportunities throughout the health and human services (H/HS) field. Employers reach a wide audience of candidates looking for careers in H/HS and job seekers will find a bevy of opportunities throughout the country.
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