We’re excited to have several events to share—our virtual series, Leadership Corner is back on March 23 featuring Heather McGhee, who designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America and is the author of NYT bestseller The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. You can register here.
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We are now accepting proposals for the hybrid 2021 Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB), scheduled for August 22-25 in Milwaukee, WI, in partnership with the National Association of Welfare Research and Statistics (NAWRS). All sessions are being designed to fit the hybrid event model with both in-person and virtual options. Deadline for submission is Tuesday, April 20. Learn more & submit your proposal.
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We are also now accepting proposals for the hybrid 2021 National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference, scheduled for October 3-6 in Spokane, WA. Deadline for submission is Friday, April 16. Learn more & submit your proposal.
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We’re growing! APHSA has several new job listings including Organization Effectiveness Consultants, HR Coordinator, Manager of Membership Engagement & Operations, and Project Director for Advancing Family Economic Mobility.
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Legislative & Regulatory Updates |
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LGBTQ Rights Bill Passed in House Would Extend Protections in Child Welfare
The House passed the Equality Act, which would extend federal civil rights protections for members of the LBGTQ+ community by amending existing civil rights law to explicitly cover sexual orientation and gender identity in areas including employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. The bill will be debated in the Senate next week. If enacted into law, the bill would prohibit child welfare providers receiving federal funding for foster care or adoption services to discriminate against recipients of its services on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
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Sen. Casey, Rep. Schrier Push for Emergency Funding to Protect Children from Abuse and Support At-Risk Families
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) recently introduced the Emergency Funding for Child Protection Act, a bill that would provide $500 million in emergency funds for local child protective services and $1 billion for community-based child abuse prevention programs. The Act would serve to strengthen systems put in place by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).
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Jumpstart Our Businesses By Supporting Students (JOBS) Act Introduced
U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), co-chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, introduced the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses By Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, a bill that would expand Pell Grant eligibility to cover additional high-quality, rigorous short-term job training programs. The legislation updates an earlier version of the bill that Portman and Kaine introduced in the 115th Congress.
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Congress Reintroduces WIC Act
The Wise Investment in our Children (WIC) Act was reintroduced in the Senate and House chambers this week. The legislation would extend eligibility for children to age six, extend certification periods for infants to two years, and extend eligibility for breastfeeding and postpartum mothers to two years. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Casey (D-PA) and Collins (R-ME) and Reps. DeLauro (D-CT), Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR), Sanchez (D-CA), Schrier (D-WA), and Young (R-AK).
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Child and Family Well-Being |
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FEMA Ordered to Step in as Number of Migrant Children at the U.S.-Mexico Border Grows
In response to the significant increase in children in custody at the U.S.-Mexico Border, the Department of Homeland Security has ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help manage and care for the high number of unaccompanied children immigrating to the U.S. by crossing the border from Mexico. FEMA will support the Department of Health and Human Services to safely receive, shelter, and transfer children who arrive alone in the U.S. over the next three months.
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Administration Rescinds Policy Regarding Child Welfare Officers Sharing Information with Immigration Authorities
The Biden administration rescinded a 2018 agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services that encouraged child welfare officers to share information about family sponsors with immigration authorities. The move is part of a larger effort to reduce the number of children in U.S. custody by encouraging family members and other potential sponsors to come forward to take care of unaccompanied minors.
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Employment and Economic Well-Being |
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Treasury Issues Updated Guidance on ERAP Requirements
The U.S. Department of the Treasury published a new set of frequently asked questions this week addressing requirements of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). ERAP was originally established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This guidance includes information on applicant eligibility, documentation instructions, and permitted expenses. Funds generally expire on December 31, 2021.
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FNS Posts Memo on SNAP Provisions in American Rescue Plan Act
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted a memo this week describing provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act that relate to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In addition to extending the 15% increase in SNAP benefits through September 2021 and support for SNAP online purchasing, the memo noted that $1.135 billion will be distributed to states over three years for SNAP administrative expenses. Changes that may affect SNAP eligibility and benefit allotments were also discussed.
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FNS Posts Minimum and Maximum SNAP Allotments and Deductions Adjusted to Reflect Temporary Increases in American Rescue Plan Act
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted the adjusted minimum and maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotments and deductions this week, to reflect temporary increases included in the American Rescue Plan Act. These changes are typically posted at the start of each fiscal year to reflect increases in the cost of living.
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DOL Issues New Guidance to States on Implementing American Rescue Plan Act Unemployment Insurance Provisions
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released guidance this week that focuses on provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act that extend Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which provide an additional $300 in weekly benefits and continue to provide $100 for Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation. These provisions extend through September 6, 2021.
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National Labor Relations Board Withdraws College Student Rule
The National Labor Relations Board withdrew proposed “Jurisdiction-Nonemployee Status of University and College Students Working in Connection with Their Studies.” The proposed rule would have established that college students performing any services for compensation, including teaching or research, in connection with their studies are not “employees” within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act.
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Seeking Strategies to Recruit, Advance, and Retain Early Care and Education Workforce!
The Building and Sustaining the Early Care and Education Workforce (BASE) project aims to increase understanding of what drives workforce turnover in the early care and education (ECE) field and to inform efforts to improve the recruitment, advancement, and retention of the ECE workforce. The project is funded by the Office of Research, Planning, and Evaluation within the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Deadline for submissions is March 31.
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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
IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Annual Conference
& Expo ~ Technology: September 26-29
American Association of Health and Human Services Attorneys (AAHHSA) Education Conference ~ Legal: October 17-20
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APHSA Leadership Corner - The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Tuesday, March 23, 12:15-1:30 PM EDT
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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-March 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!
Thursday, April 15, 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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APHSA - National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Call For Proposals
APHSA is now accepting proposals for the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) hybrid 2021 Education Conference scheduled for October 3-6 in Spokane, WA. All sessions are being designed to fit the hybrid event model with both in-person and virtual options. 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
- Workforce Development and Planning
Deadline for submission is Friday, April 16.
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APHSA - Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB) Call For Proposals
APHSA, in partnership with the National Association of Welfare Research and Statistics (NAWRS) and three APHSA affinity groups including the American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD), the National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM), and the National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA) is now accepting proposals for the hybrid 2021 Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB), scheduled for August 22-25 in Milwaukee, WI. Workshop proposals are encouraged in the following categories:
- Translating Research into Action
- Preparing for an Equitable and Resilient Recovery
- Innovations in Policy and Practice
- Operational Excellence, Workforce and Organizational Well-being
- Dismantling Structural Inequities in Human Services
Deadline for submission is Tuesday, April 20.
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Upcoming Webinars & Virtual Events |
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USDA Food Program Purchase Listening Session
Join the USDA for a listening session to provide groups and individuals an opportunity to share their views on how USDA can best serve people in need of food assistance and the industry regarding the development, coordination and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance.
Monday, March 22, 2:00-5:00 PM EDT
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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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Webinar - Transformation in 2020: How 2020 Accelerated Digital Transformation at Companies and What That Means for Frontline Workers
For many companies, digital transformation has led to changes in how they think about the skills frontline workers need to be successful in their jobs and the investments in education and training programs needed to support workers’ development. Join the Aspen Institute to learn about results of their survey of over 340 business leaders and hear directly from leading employers in food service, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. Panelists will share how their businesses have responded to events in 2020, including ways they have responded to technological change and racial inequities in employment.
Wednesday, March 24, 3:00-4:30 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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