March 6, 2020
Greetings!
Be sure to check out our upcoming conferences in the events section below, as several Calls for Proposals are now open, as well as our AASD/NASTA Distinguished Service Awards.

Save the date for the 2020 APHSA Summit, June 7-10, Arlington, VA - with the theme: Relentless Pursuit... Unlimited Possibilities. Registration opening soon! Book your room now - early bird rates end May 22.

Please note our team is continuing to monitor and assess the potential impact of COVID-19/Coronavirus on our events. To date, we believe there is minimal impact. With everyone’s health and well-being as top priority, we will continue to provide updates as needed. Looking for information and resources regarding COVID-19? Check out “ Coronavirus: What You Need To Know ” from our friends at the National Governors Association. 

Child and Family Well-Being
Children’s Bureau Releases Guidance on Family First Transition Act
The Family First Transition Act (FFTA) was passed last December in order to help states implement large scale programmatic changes, as required by the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). The guidance outlines how states can apply for and use additional funding appropriated through FFTA, and the state reporting requirements regarding the use of funds. States will have to submit a request form and a brief narrative on the need and planned usage of the additional funding. States have until October 2025 to use the additional funding but need to apply by April 30.  Eligible Title IV-B agencies should submit funding requests via email to their Children’s Bureau Regional Office .

CMS Releases Guidance on CHIP Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Requirements
In a letter to state health officials on Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outlined the requirements related to expanded services for CHIP recipients. The requirements are stated by the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, or SUPPORT Act. The SUPPORT Act requires that children and pregnant moms who are eligible for CHIP receive mental health services necessary to prevent, diagnose, and treat a broad range of mental health illnesses and disorders, including substance abuse disorders.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) announced a proposed rule to implement changes made by Section 4005 of The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 pertaining to the SNAP Employment & Training program and aspects of work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. The proposed rule is expected to be published and made available for review early next week.

ACF Extends Timeline to Respond to Request for Information on Nonresident Parents
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has extended the comment period for stakeholders to respond to its Request for Information: Innovative Approaches and Knowledge Gaps Related to Enhancing Nonresident Parents Ability to Support their Children Economically and Emotionally . The Request for Information provides an opportunity for interested parties to submit feedback on best practices and opportunities for future research and technical assistance in programs that seek to engage nonresident parents. Comments are due by March 30.

Food and Nutrition Services Posts Fact Sheet on Food Assistance During Disasters
The USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has released a fact sheet describing its role to provide supplemental nutrition assistance in communities experiencing a natural disaster. The guidance describes available nutrition resources and methods for distributing them during a disaster.

  ACF Announces Second LIHEAP Funding Release
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released $381 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding for FY 2020. With this release, ACF has allocated 99% of total funds; 1% is being reserved for the Secretary’s transfer authority.

A CF Releases Guidance on CSBG Performance System
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has issued guidance on reporting requirements for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). The guidance focuses on Module 3 of CSBG reporting, which focuses on measures for community-level outcomes.

HUD Awards $36 Million to PHAs
The Department of Housing & Urban Development has awarded $36 million to Public Housing Authorities to provide public housing residents with employment training, financial literacy services, educational opportunities, and health and wellness programs through the Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS-SC) program.

Upcoming Events
Save the Date: APHSA 2020 National Health & Human Services Summit
Save the date for the APHSA 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.

Registration opening soon!
APHSA 2020 National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Call For Proposals
APHSA is now accepting proposals for our 2020 National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference, October 4-7, Spokane, WA - with the theme: Visualizing New Heights . NSDTA members represent the full range of functions in organizational development and training, including broader leadership roles in human services. Workshop proposals are encouraged in the following categories: Evaluation/Research; Curriculum Design and Instructional Technology; Training/Facilitation; Human Services Leadership; Organizational Development and Effectiveness; and Workforce Development and Planning.

Deadline for submission is March 23.
APHSA 2020 American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD) & National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA) Call For Proposals & Distinguished Service Award Nominations
APHSA is now accepting proposals for our 2020 American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD) & National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA) Education Conference, August 23-26, Milwaukee, WI - with the theme: Convening for Collective Impact. The education conference will bring together two professional peer groups who are helping to modernize the health and human services sector. Workshop proposals are encouraged in the following categories: Legislative/policy issues; Employment outcomes; Use of TANF and SNAP in primary prevention; Serving families with significant barriers to wellbeing
Quality control/performance issues; Program operations; Systems modernization and use of innovative technology; Program flexibility; Transformation through alignment and collaborative partnerships; Customer engagement and access; Nutrition, health and healthy food choices.

Deadline for submission is April 24.
Distinguished Service Award Nominations: AASD and NASTA are pleased to offer the opportunity to recognize outstanding performance in the design, delivery, management and administration of the SNAP and TANF Programs by human services employees and programs. Awards are open to any individual, agency, company, or program that provides SNAP or TANF services.

Award categories for both AASD and NASTA are as follows:
  • Distinguished Service Award - Organization
  • Distinguished Service Award - State
  • Distinguished Service Award - Individual

Deadline for award submission is May 1.
APHSA 2020 National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM) Call For Proposals
APHSA is now accepting proposals for our 2020 National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM) Education Conference, August 3-6, Portland, OR - with the theme: Blazing Trails to Success. Workshop proposals are encouraged in the following categories: Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, and Child Care Policy Updates; Medicaid Quality Control (MEQC), and Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) results, and outcome; Child Care Improper Payments, and Child Care Quality Control results, and outcomes; Program Integrity - Strategies to Reduce Improper Payments, Waste, Fraud, and Abuse; Using Data to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families; Increasing Productivity, Results, and Outcomes; Modernization - Doing More with Less; SNAP Quality Control Current and Future Automation Initiatives; Legislative Updates that may have significant nationwide impact; Using Technology to Improve Customer Service; Improving Public Assistance Delivery, Accuracy and Integrity; Improving Performance of Direct Service Practitioners, Support Staff, and Management; Improving Efficiency and Evaluation of Providing Services to Clients: Change, Call and/or Mail Centers.

Deadline for submission is May 1.
APHSA Webinar: Moving People Forward on Their Path to Self-Sufficiency
Join IBM and Sonoma County (CA) Department of Health Services to hear how
Sonoma County has dramatically changed the way they deliver services to high utilizer cohorts to improve client outcomes. Listen to their journey of change and find out about the results they were able to achieve in the wake of two devastating fires. Learn how their achievements have led to a state and national agenda to revolutionize service delivery to reduce homelessness and achieve better outcomes for communities.

Wednesday March 11, 1:00-2:00 PM EST
Center for Juvenile Justice Reform Youth in Custody Certificate Program
The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) recently released a Request for Applications for the Youth in Custody Certificate Program, which will be held at Georgetown University. The training is designed to help juvenile justice system leaders and child-serving partners improve outcomes for youth in custodial settings. The curriculum covers critical areas including leadership and changing culture, racial and ethnic disparities, family engagement, assessment, case planning, facility-based education and treatment services, and reentry planning and support. Applications are due by Friday, April 24.

July 20-24, Washington DC
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.