May 8, 2020
Greetings!
Our latest blog from APHSA's Phil Basso is the second in our series: "Stories of Resilience in the Face of COVID-19." N This blog focuses on a set of ten drivers that together support resilience in the face of crisis or adversity. You can also continue to access our COVID-19 policy analysis, collection of federal guidance, updates, and resources here .

In other news, it’s Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) . Celebrated annually during the first week of May since 1985, PSRW is time set aside to honor the individuals who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. We thank all of you for your service and remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi - "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
Latest COVID-19 Updates
The House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. Scott (VA-03) and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced a bill to invest $15 billion in America’s workforce training infrastructure, and career and technical education. The Relaunching America’s Workforce Act would expand career services to include individuals eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The bill would also provide funding for subsidized jobs, transitional jobs, and on-the-job training. The proposed legislation would require states to supplement their workforce development plan to include a strategy for the use of additional funds.

Draft Legislation Released to Bolster Child Welfare Services
This week draft language of the “Emergency Funding for Child Protection Act” was released. The Act would provide $500 million in emergency funds for local child protective services and $1 million for community-based child abuse prevention programs. The draft legislation would strengthen programs put in place by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) that focus on prevention and community based services.

Child and Family Well-Being
ACL Updates Guidance on Centers for Independent Living
On May 4 the Administration for Community Living (ACL) updated its FAQ, Centers for Independent Living:  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (CARES Act) Funding . The FAQ addresses the supplemental funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), touching on operational activities, reporting, and more.
 
ACF COVID-19 FAQ: Runaway and Homeless Youth Program
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees seeking additional information on flexibilities available to the administration of grants funded under the RHY Program.

Children’s Bureau Releases Letter to Child Welfare Work Force
Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), wrote to the child welfare workforce this week to acknowledge their selfless and persistent work during COVID-19.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Announces Additional Food Purchase Plans
Earlier this week U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a $470 million program for the USDA to purchase surplus food and distribute it to communities across the country. The purchases will be made in late 2020, and a list of the agricultural products and their portion of the allotment can be found in the link below. In addition to these Section 32 purchases, USDA has previously announced $3 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, $573.6 million to the Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP) to support farmers, and an additional $850 million to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), through appropriations by the the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ( CARES) Act.

Upcoming Webinars
A Necessary Pivot: Virtual Case Management and Coaching Amid COVID-19
Join the Office of Family Assistance under the Administration for Children and Families for a PeerTA webinar for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) staff and those they serve who have had to retool quickly to adapt to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This panel webinar will discuss virtual TANF case management and coaching strategies considering the risks associated with COVID-19. Information will be delivered in a panel format with question and answer dialogue.

Wednesday, May 13, 1:00-2:30 PM EST
Increasing Equity in a Post-Pandemic Economy: The Potential for Growing Worker Ownership – Job Quality in Practice Series
Join the Aspen Institute to learn strategies to help shape the economic rebuilding that is to come, how to address the inequalities and inequities that have divided our society, and help us build a more resilient economy. This webinar is part of the "Job Quality in Practice" series, designed to support practitioners across fields – including workforce development, economic development, capital deployment, policy, worker advocacy, and business – to address job quality in their work.

Tuesday, May 19, 2:00-3:00 PM EST
Tracking a Moving Target: Researching the Impact of COVID-19 on County Governments
Join the National Association of Counties (NACO) for a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on county workers, county budgets and local economies and how counties are developing policies, programs, and services to save residents’ lives and prepare for recovery in the future.

Thursday, May 21, 2:00-3:00 PM EST
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.