February 7, 2020
Greetings!
The Call For Proposals for our 2020 National HHS Summit is now open - the deadline for submission is February 18. We are seeking presentations that engage public and private partners from the health and human services sector, thought leaders from the field, and are representative of cross sector efforts with education, employment, housing, and justice. Sessions will be organized around four tracks: Integrating Services to Move Upstream; Advancing Social & Economic Mobility; Data to Insights; and Building a Strong and Responsive Infrastructure. We look forward to your submissions!

Here is the latest we are following around Washington.
Legislative Updates
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will begin implementation of the Public Charge Grounds final rule on February 24, 2020. The rule, which considers receipt of non-cash benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, and housing subsidies, when considering admission, extension, or change to nonimmigrant status for non-exempt qualified aliens, was previously delayed from going into effect due to a nationwide injunction. The rule may not consider receipt of non-cash benefits prior to the new implementation date. 
 
White House Issues Executive Order on Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation
Last Friday, the A dministration signed an executive order meant to combat the trafficking and exploitation of children in the United States. The new executive order establishes a position in the White House domestic policy office that is devoted solely to work on combating human trafficking. The executive order also directs the State Department to create a website to organize the federal government’s resources on human trafficking. It is the Administration’s hope that this website will serve as a public source for information for victims and law enforcement officials. Through the executive order, the Administration also tasks several agencies to improve the methodology used to determine and understand the state of human trafficking in the United States; improve information sharing related to human trafficking cases; and develop a proposal to address the sharing of exploitative images of children online in real time.

Child and Family Well-Being
CDC Releases Data on Drug Overdose Deaths From 1999 Through 2018
The National Center for Health Statistics within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a decade worth of statistics regarding the prevalence of deaths from an overdose of drugs in the United States. After comparing the data, the report found that while there was a 4.1% decline in overall overdose deaths between 2017 and 2018, there were 10% more overdoses from synthetic opioids (drugs such as fentanyl, and tramadol). The report also highlights states with the highest overdose rates, per capita. Those states are West Virginia (51.5 per 100,000 standard population), Delaware (43.8), Maryland (37.2), Pennsylvania (36.1), Ohio (35.9), and New Hampshire (35.8).

DOJ Awards Funds to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Rural Communities
The Office of Justice Programs within the Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a total $14.8 million to 21 different sites in order to develop tailored and innovative responses to gaps in prevention, treatment and/or recovery services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The grants come from the Rural Responses to the Opioid Epidemic Initiative, which is co-funded though the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is meant to help communities integrate public safety and public health approaches, blending expertise and funding to help address the epidemic. These grants will allow communities to implement evidence-based solutions in a way that utilizes the unique needs of their populations. Each site will receive $750,000. 
 
ACF Responds to Comments on Proposed Changes to CSBG Annual Report
The HHS Administration for Children and Families ( ACF) Office of Community Services (OCS) responded with revisions to the Community Services Block Grant ( CSBG) Annual Report based on a recent 60-day open comment period and has published a second notice for public comment for additional feedback. Public comments are due by February 21.
 
Parents and Children Thriving Together: A Framework for Two-Generation Policy and System Reform
In 2016, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) hosted a two-year policy academy. The policy academy, known as the Parents and Children Thriving Together: Two-Generation State Policy Network (PACTT Network), provided an opportunity for five states to create two-generation strategies for policy and systems change at the state level. The five states selected to participate are Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey and Oregon. This brief explores lessons learned from the PACTT Network and provides a framework to help guide state leaders seeking to implement two-generation strategies.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
SNAP Announces New Database: SNAP Certification Policy Waiver Database
The new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) database adds a second database, listing only those waivers currently in effect. The Policy Waiver database contains a comprehensive listing of all SNAP waivers including denied, expired, rescinded and obsolete waivers.
 
Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Technical Assistance for WIOA Plan Submissions
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration issued updates on technical assistance for submitting Unified and Combined state plans under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). States must submit their state plan for the four-year period covering Program Years 2020 – 2023 by March 2, 2020. 
 
Upcoming Events
APHSA Webinar: How To Create a Unified Public Experience for Your Agency
Join us for webinar with the U.S. Census Bureau and health and human services experts from Adobe to learn about the 2020 Census, its importance to the communities you serve and how the Census Bureau has leveraged technology to expand its operations and outreach. To meet the public’s growing expectations of a digital-first government, agencies are looking for ways to enhance public communication and education about important government services and initiatives, increase inter-departmental integration and improve service delivery, while making operations more efficient and raising customer satisfaction.

Tuesday, February 11, 1:30-2:30 PM EST
APHSA 2020 National Health & Human Services Summit Call For Proposals
APHSA is now accepting proposals for our National Health and Human Services Summit, June 7-10, Arlington, VA - with the theme: Relentless Pursuit... Unlimited Possibilities. APHSA is elevating critical policy discussions focused on advancing social and economic mobility and working upstream, to address root causes and prevent downstream needs. We will also continue to showcase innovative approaches that are building the capacity of agencies to optimize data, put families at the center of the work, and support the well-being of the workforce. This year’s Summit is designed to showcase transformation efforts underway across the nation that demonstrate policy and practice in alignment to these focus areas.

Deadline for submission is February 18.
All Hands on Deck: Improving Community Health
This day-long event offered in partnership with AcademyHealth and the de Beaumont Foundation will feature eye-opening interactions with elected leaders, policy experts and other influential speakers as they tackle tough topics, tell their stories and inspire you to create change. Attend in Washington, DC or purchase the livestream/on-demand video, to explore the social determinants of health — access to care, education, transportation, environment, immigration/citizenship, discrimination and income inequality.

Wednesday, February 12 | Washington, DC
2020 Senior Leadership Conference and Roundtable Gatherings
With the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. During the 2020 Senior Leadership Conference, experienced leaders and rising stars alike will learn how they can accelerate the excellence, distinction, and influence of their organizations. Convene with the best of the Alliance’s national network and recognized thought leaders around key topic areas for achieving a stronger sector.

February 22-25 | Savannah, GA
2020 Alliance National Conference Call for Presentations
The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities seeks proposals for the 2020 Alliance National Conference. This event is for cross-sector human services leaders who are eager to learn, collaborate, and co-create solutions that advance innovative practice, policy, and research designed to achieve a healthy and equitable society.

Deadline for submissions is February 25.
October 19-21 | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
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.