May 7, 2021
Greetings!
It's Public Service Recognition Week, celebrated the first week of May to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local and tribal government employees. Our latest blog post from APHSA President & CEO Tracy Wareing Evans: "Investing for the Future: The Possibility of the American Rescue Plan," shares how our members can leverage the plan's benefits for those they serve. We are forever grateful for the public service of our members who have helped take us through this global challenge and many other challenges.
APHSA is currently looking to fill these roles: Project Director for Advancing Family Economic Mobility; Policy Fellow, Technology and Analytics; and Human Resources Coordinator. Positions are located in Arlington, VA but currently available for 100% virtual work.
Child and Family Well-Being
OCC Releases Monitoring Process Guide for State and Territory Lead Agencies

The Office of Child Care (OCC) has released its monitoring guide for state child care agencies. This guide provides States and Territories with all the information and resources needed to perform monitoring processes within the OCC Monitoring System. It includes background information about the design and structure of the system, instructions for conducting monitoring activities, definitions for key terms and acronyms, and completed examples of monitoring forms.

ACF Highlights SCAN Database

The Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has released the State Child Abuse & Neglect (SCAN) Policies Database, a resource for those who are interested in examining differences between states in their definitions and policies on child maltreatment. The database will allow users to view data, state profiles, data use resources, and links to other project resources.
 
Measuring the Implementation and Effectiveness of Virtual Human Services

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) produced a study on how to measure the effectiveness of virtual service delivery in human services. Research was produced in partnership with the Institute for Research on Poverty.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
FNS Issues Guidance on Extension of SNAP Administrative Waivers

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released guidance that would permit the extension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administrative waivers through December 31, 2021 or the month after the month in which the national public health emergency expires, whichever comes first. The extension includes the waiver of initial and recertification interviews, extension of certification periods and adjustment of periodic reports, telephonic signatures, and more.

FNS Issues Guidance on Resumption of QC Reviews and Extension of QC Face-To-Face Interviews

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released guidance on the resumption of Quality Control (QC) reviews beginning in July 2021. The guidance also includes an extension of the QC Face-to-Face interview waiver through December 31, 2021.

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit is available as of May 12, and will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

FY 2021 Supplemental LIHEAP Funding Release Under the ARP Act of 2021

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing $4.5 billion in supplemental funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for federal Fiscal Year 2021. Congress appropriated these funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021. This act provided $4.5 billion “for additional funding to provide payments” for LIHEAP.

Treasury Releases Updated Guidance on Emergency Rental Assistance Program

On Friday, May 7, the Treasury Department released an updated set of Questions & Answers on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program provides rent and related financial relief to families experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOL Publishes Guidance for States on Greater Flexibility for Waiving Recovery of Certain Unemployment Insurance Overpayments

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued an Unemployment Insurance Program Letter. It provides states with guidance on addressing unemployment insurance benefit overpayments established by states for programs authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The updated guidance includes information on improper payments, fraudulent collection of unemployment insurance, and payment refunds.

APHSA Partner Updates
Tune In To Ascend’s Student Parent Podcast: 1 in 5!

Twenty two percent, or 1 in 5, undergraduates are parents. The new "1 In 5" podcast from Ascend at the Aspen Institute chronicles stories of student parents who are balancing parenting, school, work, and life. Listen to the first 12 episodes now and subscribe anywhere you listen.

Family First Planning & Readiness Toolkit

Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago has released a Family First Planning & Readiness Toolkit, which supports first phase implementation of the Family First Act, helping agencies define their strategic direction, engage stakeholders, analyze & visualize data, survey providers, & develop plans.

Upcoming APHSA Events
APHSA Third Thursday 360: Virtual Mini-Series of Health and Human Services Collective Learning

It's never too late to join in on Third Thursday, as your registration allows full access to the entire series! Third Thursday runs each month through June - building on our January-April sessions, we're continuing with topics on Child Welfare, SNAP, TANF, IT, Performance Management, Child Care, & more.

Thursday, May 20, 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!
APHSA Webinar - Addressing Health Equity During the COVID Pandemic: A Discussion with the State of California

Join us along with BerryDunn and the California Department of Public Health for an honest reflection of the challenges each state faces and strategies they have employed to reduce their largest disparities during the COVID pandemic.
Over the last year, state health and human services departments have been working to manage the pandemic and the many facets of emergency response. During this moderated discussion, we will learn how California approached addressing health equity.

Wednesday, May 26, 2:30-3:30 PM EDT
Save the Date! 2021 conferences are being designed to fit the hybrid event model with both in-person and virtual options. More details and registration deadlines to come. Visit our Events Page for all our upcoming events.

Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB)
August 22-25, Milwaukee, WI

Information Technology Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) September 26-29, Cincinnati, OH

National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA)
October 3-6, Spokane, WA
Upcoming Webinars & Virtual Events
2021 Virtual State HIT Connect Summit

APHSA President & CEO Tracy Wareing Evans will host the May 20th plenary session, "A Better Path to Integrated Eligibility, & Enrollment Systems," as part of the State Healthcare IT Connect (HIT) Summit. The Summit will provide critical insights during this transformative period, enabling public and private sector thought leaders to share ideas and benchmark implementation strategies of State Health IT Systems for 2021 and beyond.

May 17-21, 2021
NAPA Annual Social Equity Leadership Virtual Conference

Join the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) for the 20th Annual Social Equity Leadership Conference. This virtual conference provides a space to discuss how public administrators can develop a broader understanding of social equity and recognize social equity's implications within the administrative context. You will have the opportunity to engage in the discussion through a range of educational lectures, workshops, live plenaries, keynote and lunchtime speakers, on-demand panels, and power social hours.

June 9-11, 2021
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.