Check out our latest blog post “Resiliency to Weather the Storm,” by our President & CEO Tracy Wareing Evans. She shares how this is a defining moment in time—as we have the opportunity to redesign our system for a more resilient tomorrow.
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Legislative & Regulatory Updates |
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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Today, the Senate will begin to vote on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was passed late last week by the House. The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package advances the budget reconciliation process and impacts several human services areas, including increased funding for child care, extending the temporary Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit increase, establishment of a Pandemic Emergency Fund through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, continuation of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program through the summer and next school year, increased rental assistance funds, and increases to Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and child tax credits, among many other provisions related to COVID-19 response and recovery.
The bill has gone through numerous amendments since its original introduction. Should the bill pass the Senate, as it is expected, APHSA will update its analysis of human services provisions with the final bill text.
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Executive Order 14018 - Revocation of Presidential Actions
President Biden issued Executive Order 14018, revoking several executive orders issued under the former administration, including: Executive Order 13828 of April 10, 2018, “Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility”; Executive Order 13924 of May 19, 2020 “Regulatory Relief To Support Economic Recovery”; Memorandum of September 2, 2020 “Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds That Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities”; and Executive Order 13979 of January 18, 2021 “Ensuring Democratic Accountability in Agency Rulemaking.”
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Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency
President Biden issued notice that the declaration of a national emergency in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, due to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue beyond March 1, 2021. Notice will be issued in the Federal Register. Additionally, the Congressional Research Services published a brief identifying the potential impact of expiring state declarations while federal declarations remain.
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Child and Family Well-Being |
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Biden Administration Appoints New Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau
The Biden Administration has appointed Aysha E. Schomburg as the new Associate Commissioner for the Children’s Bureau. Schomburg previously served as the Senior Administrator for Program Oversight for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Schomburg will oversee federal and state title IV-E child welfare agencies and the impending implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). Before joining ACS, Schomburg held a number of key leadership positions with the New York City Council.
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Chang Named Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at ACF
Late February, JooYeun Chang was named as the acting assistant secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She joined the Biden Administration in February 2021 after serving as the senior deputy director at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Services Agency.
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Employment and Economic Well-Being |
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USDA Releases Fact Sheet on Actions to Reduce Food Insecurity Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
The USDA released a fact sheet detailing the actions taken to support families during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The fact sheet outlines several Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity in the 50 states and U.S. territories, including increasing access to online purchasing and increasing SNAP benefits.
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USDA Announces Appointment of Two Senior Advisors
The USDA announced two senior advisor appointments this week. Dr. Dewayne Goldmon will serve as Senior Advisor for Racial Equity to the Secretary of Agriculture, and Andy Green will serve as Senior Advisor, Fair and Competitive Markets.
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Systems for Action Call for Proposals
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Systems for Action program seeks proposals to measure the impact of collaborations across medical, social, and public health systems that allow organizations to equitably share in the costs and the benefits, with up to $2M available in grants. Proposals are due June 9.
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Upcoming Webinars & Virtual Events |
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Save the Date: APHSA 2021 Events
Save the date for our 2021 events and engagement opportunities! We are currently convening through virtual platforms while working toward in-person/hybrid options for the fall. Stay up to date on our event pages.
Third Thursday ~ Virtual Mini-Series of Health & Human Services Collective Learning: Every Third Thursday January - June
March 23, May 25, July 27, November 16
Economic Mobility & Well-Being Conference ~ SNAP/TANF Program Integrity: August 22-25
IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Annual Conference
& Expo ~ Technology: September 26-29
National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference ~ Organizational Effectiveness: October 3-6
American Association of Health and Human Services Attorneys (AAHHSA) Education Conference ~ Legal: October 17-20
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APHSA Third Thursday 360: Virtual Mini-Series of Health and Human Services Collective Learning
Join us on the Third Thursday of each month through June - building on our January & February sessions, we're continuing with topics on Child Welfare, SNAP, TANF, IT, Performance Management, Child Care, & more. It's never too late to join in as your registration allows full access to the entire series!
Our next sessions will feature speakers from Mathematica, Accenture, and Optum on Thursday, March 18, 12:30-5:15 PM EST.
Certificates of attendance will be provided for the pursuit of continuing education (CE) credits. Pay once for entire series! Group discount available for five or more registrants. Learn more!
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Webinar - Setting a New Agenda for American Cities
Join the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings with two influential leaders—Mayor Todd Gloria of San Diego, California, and Mayor Steven Reed of Montgomery, Alabama—for a conversation about their visions for governing and the value of place-based solutions. Brookings Vice President Amy Liu will moderate a wide-ranging conversation addressing jobs and the economy, racial equity, climate and resilience, and governing in a time of extreme partisanship.
Thursday, March 11, 2:00-3:00 PM EST
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Three-Part Webinar Series - Moving Mindsets: The Ways Minds Can Shift
Join the Frameworks Institute for the first webinar in a three-part series to hear practical advice and lessons from real-world efforts that can guide your own work to shift mindsets. The latest report from Frameworks Institute, Mindset Shifts: "What Are They? Why Do They Matter? How Do They Happen? provides a roadmap for advocates, activists, and funders.
Friday, March 12, 1:00 PM EST
Continuing through March
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Webinar - Virtual Human Service Delivery: Initial Findings and Next Steps
Join HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) for a Pop Up Panel where they will share lessons learned over the past year, discuss emerging promising practices and research gaps, and engage in peer learning to advance our collective understanding of the effects of virtual service interventions. Fill out the registration form by March 11 to assist with plans for breakout room engagement. View the event agenda. If you have any questions, or need additional information, please feel free to contact [email protected].
Tuesday March 16, 2:00-4:30 PM EDT
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Meeting ID: 990 3828 1350
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Webinar - COVID-19 Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs): Lessons Learned from Implementation
Join Workforce GPS for a conversation on where we are today and the challenges many faced in operationalizing the Dislocated Worker grants. The webinar will focus on the success of three COVID-19 DWG grantees to understand what’s working and why in an effort to offer solutions to other COVID-19 grantees.
Wednesday, March 24, 2:00-3:30 PM EDT
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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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