June 25, 2021
Greetings!
Check out our latest blog post: States and Localities Should Strengthen Data Analytics Capacity Using Rescue Plan Funds, by Kathy Stack and Gary Glickman of the National Academy of Public Administration. This is the latest in our new Catalyst blog series taking a detailed look at the American Rescue Plan and the ways in which we can leverage it to strengthen the resiliency of our public health and human services infrastructure.
We are pleased to be among the organizations to partner with the National Governors Association for the launch of the State Equitable Recovery Coalition! Together, we will share expertise & drive equitable economic recovery from COVID-19, championed by Governors of states & territories.
We welcome your applications to join our team, or please share our job opportunities with your network! We have openings for a Grants/Contract Manager and a Human Resources Coordinator.
Legislative Updates
Bills to Increase the Value of SNAP Benefits Introduced in Both Chambers

Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Adams (D-NC) introduced bills S.2192 and H.R.4077 in the Senate and House to recalculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using the Low-Cost Food Plan, which would equate to an approximate 30% increase compared to the current value that is based on the Thrifty Food Plan. The bills also would permanently authorize the Standard Medical Deduction (SMD) in SNAP, eliminate the cap on Excess Shelter Deduction, eliminate time-limits for eligibility, and create a path for those in U.S. territories to receive SNAP.
Bills on Transparency in Federal Spending on Children’s Programs Reintroduced in Senate

This week, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Casey (D-PA) reintroduced the Focus on Children Act and the Children's Budget Act, both meant to increase transparency in federal investments in children. These bills would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to produce annual public reports on proposed and actual federal investments in children's programs.
House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Releases FY2022 Bill

The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee recently unveiled its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 funding bill, which includes $347.4 million in climate-related funding and $907 million for rural broadband. The bill also allocates $6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), of which $75 million in new funding would be used for WIC Management Information Systems. The bill also would extend the increase in cash value vouchers for fruits and vegetables (up from $9-11 to $35) through September 2022.

Child and Family Well-Being
Eviction Moratorium Extended For 30 Days

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has extended the previously established COVID-19 eviction moratorium preventing the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments. The moratorium that was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021 is now extended through July 31, 2021. The CDC states this is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium.
Employment and Economic Well-Being
APHSA Joins Group of ERA Grantees and Advocates to Request Emergency Flexibilities as Eviction Moratorium Expires

APHSA recently joined numerous grantees and advocates of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Senior Advisor to the President Gene Sperling to request emergency flexibilities once the federal eviction moratorium expires. Specifically, the letter asks that the U.S. Department of the Treasury allow ERA grantees to establish a rental assistance standard for rehousing in cases of eviction and the master leasing of hotel and motel rooms.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting input from the public on how it can advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities. Comments on barriers that people of color and underserved communities may face in interactions with USDA—including accessing, enrolling, and participating in USDA programs and services, and engaging with USDA staff—will be accepted through July 15.

HHS Publishes Final Plan Template for LIHWAP

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published the final plate template for the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). State, territories, and tribal governments have until August 9, 2021, to complete and submit the plan in order to receive their full water assistance allocation. Resources previously released by HHS regarding the implementation of LIHWAP can be found here.

USDA Releases Study on Barriers to SNAP Adequacy

The USDA released a study on the adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The study was conducted in 2018 and found that 88% of SNAP participants reported facing one or more barriers to achieving a healthy diet, and 61% citing the barrier as affordability of healthy foods such as lean meat and fresh produce. Other significant barriers included time needed to prepare meals, transportation to grocery outlets, and storage availability for food.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released $994.5 million for the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) to assist families impacted by COVID-19. State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, the District of Columbia, Tribal TANF programs, and all five U.S. territories were eligible to receive funds.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently posted a memo including questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators as they operate child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP), during school year (SY) 2021–2022. Child nutrition program nationwide waivers for SY 2021–2022 can be found here.

Upcoming APHSA Events
In-person registration is now open for our upcoming events, listed below. Virtual registration will be open at a later date. Keeping the safety and well-being of our attendees first and foremost in our planning, we ask that you participate in a brief survey for the event(s) you plan to attend. Links are below.

Get rewarded for bringing a team of three or more! APHSA is offering a $25 discount per registration if you bring three or more members of your team. Email [email protected] to secure the registration discount code.
August 22-25 | Milwaukee, WI

The Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB) will bring together members from three APHSA affinity groups – American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD), National Association of TANF Administrators (NASTA), National Association of Program Information and Performance Management (NAPIPM) – in partnership with the National Association of Welfare and Research Statistics (NAWRS). The conference convenes in beautiful Milwaukee, WI, at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee to showcase the work of agencies, researchers, and private sector to advance our collective goal of achieving economic mobility and well-being for all.
 
As we plan for our fall events, completing our EMWB Pulse Survey will inform us as we plan out the logistics for all to meet safely in Milwaukee.
Information Technology Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Conference
September 26-29 | Cincinnati, OH

Reconnect at the ISM Annual Conference & Expo which will convene in Cincinnati, OH, at the Duke Energy Convention Center for their annual conference and expo. 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. In-person registration is now open.
 
Please take two minutes to complete our ISM Pulse Survey to help inform our logistics planning to meet safely in Cincinnati. 
National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Conference
October 3-6 | Spokane, WA

Connect with your colleagues at the NSDTA Annual Education Conference 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 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center 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! In-person registration is now open. 

Your input for our NSDTA Pulse Survey will help inform our logistics planning to meet safely in Spokane.
American Association of Health and Human Services Attorneys (AAHHSA) Conference
October 17-20 | Columbus, OH

Join your colleagues at the AAHHSA Annual Education Conference in Columbus, OH. This conference is a comprehensive learning and networking experience for attorneys representing state and local government agencies that administer health and human services programs. Join us at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square for content focusing on the policies and practices that enhance human services programs’ delivery and quality – all while earning continuing legal education credits! In-person registration is now open.
 
Please take two minutes to complete our AAHHSA Pulse Survey to help inform our logistics planning to meet safely in Columbus. 
We are also now accepting proposals for the AAHHSA Education Conference. Deadline is June 30 - Submit today!
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.