March 18, 2022
Greetings!
We are excited to announce the launch of a new resource: Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit Information and Resource Hub for Health and Human Services Professionals, created in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo). APHSA and NACo worked in collaboration with states, counties, and field partners to compile resources directed towards state and local health and human services agencies and frontline staff, to assist with efforts raising awareness about these important tax credits.
To mark World Social Work Day on March 15, the European Social Network (ESN) and APHSA joined forces to highlight the global importance of the social services workforce. Our latest blog post, by APHSA CEO Tracy Wareing Evans and ESN CEO Alfonso Lara Montero, highlights our common belief that a strong, healthy, and resilient workforce is key to delivering quality social services and advancing the well-being of all people.
Legislative Updates
American Rescue Plan SLFRF: Project Highlights

A Department of Treasury report on State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) reviews how each state employed American Rescue Plan Act funding one year after implementation. Additionally, a Treasury fact sheet reviews data on how American Rescue Plan funds have impacted families, businesses, and governments navigating the public health and economic crisis.

Child and Family Well-Being
Prevention Services Clearinghouse Releases New Ratings

This week, the IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse has released 15 new program ratings. While several programs rated did not meet criteria, the Clearinghouse has approved the first program designed to treat parents with cocaine use issues and the first program that specifically serves Spanish speaking families.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces New Report Highlighting Actions on Nutrition Security

This month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report titled USDA Actions on Nutrition Security. The report summarizes how the USDA is leveraging its existing authorities, resources, and touchpoints to support nutrition security with a primary focus on activities from the USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Mission Area.

USDA Releases DCM-F/RP Demonstration for School Year 2019–2020

The USDA released a report on the demonstration of Direct Certification with Medicaid for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (DCM-F/RP). DCM-F/RP allows authorized States and school districts to leverage information from Medicaid data files to identify students eligible to receive meals for free or at a reduced price. This reduces the need for a second household application to qualify for free and reduced meals at school.

The report shared key findings including decreased costs for most participating states over the course of the demonstration and more than 1.2 million students were directly certified for free meals based on Medicaid data files.

On Wednesday, March 23, the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) PeerTA will host a webinar titled TANF Next Practices: Lessons from COVID-19 – Informing Innovation and Modernization. The webinar will feature state speakers and APHSA staff sharing reflections on program innovation and modernization.

Partner Updates
United With Ukraine

To learn more about the Ukrainian crisis and how you can support the humanitarian needs of those being impacted, visit the following websites for ways to contribute, and resources including free trauma resources in Russian, Ukrainian, and English to assist parents, educators, and other adults.
Upcoming APHSA Events
Economic Mobility and Well-Being (EMWB) Conference Call for Proposals

The EMWB Conference Call for Proposals is now open! The EMWB 2022 Conference will be held August 14-17 at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront in Savannah, GA—save the date and learn more about the focus areas and session types in our Call for Proposals Guide. Registration opening soon!

Deadline: Friday, April 8
National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Annual Education Conference Call for Proposals

The NSDTA Conference Call for Proposals is now open! The NSDTA 2022 Conference will be held October 16-19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center, Spokane, WA—save the date and learn more about the focus areas and session types in our proposal guide. Registration opening soon!

Deadline: Friday, April 8
OFA Webinar - TANF Next Practices: Lessons from COVID-19 Informing Innovation and Modernization

Join APHSA along with the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) PeerTA for a webinar providing a discussion platform for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs just starting to think about program innovation and modernization, as well as those deep into the journey. PeerTA and APHSA will facilitate a discussion with three TANF programs at various stages of innovation and modernization that will share their experiences, and how COVID-19 has impacted their journey.

Wednesday, March 23, 12:30-2:00 PM EDT
NSDTA Showcase Series: Inspiring Action Using Stories from the Past, Present, and Future

Join us along with Lawrence Mirabal for an inspiring learning opportunity! This session will reflect on how some of the most inspirational leaders of our past have been able to motivate others to achieve greatness. We will analyze several examples of inspirational speeches to understand the elements that made their stories compelling. We will then learn how to take a similar approach to motivate those in our organization to follow our lead.

Wednesday, March 30, 3:00-4:30 PM EDT
APHSA Webinar - Turnover …Turnaround: Creative Solutions for Child Welfare Agencies to Overcome Social Worker Turnover and Build the Capacity They Need

Join APHSA along with Change and Innovation Agency for a highly engaging roundtable discussion, with a dynamic line-up of child welfare leaders from OK, PA, the City of Alexandria, VA and Montgomery County, MD, who will tackle this timely topic. They will dive into the underlying cause of the staffing crisis; share their agencies’ staffing lessons learned; and offer creative, proven actions they have taken to strengthen retention, build the capacity they need, and turn around turnover.

Wednesday, April 6, 3:00 PM EDT
Partner Events
Digital Transformation Masterclass Series: Setting the Stage for Transformation

Join the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and Workforce ITSC with workforce system veteran Rick Maher as he shares his model for organizational agility. Using an online assessment and a structured learning program, the virtual sessions will help individuals and their organizations develop the mindset necessary to become more agile in the digital age.

Tuesday, March 22, 1:30-4:00 PM EDT - Part 1
Thursday, March 24, 1:30-4:00 PM EDT - Part 2
ED and USDA: College Students and SNAP Webinar

Join the Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) and the USDA for a discussion about the work being done at the Department of Education to support students’ basic needs and the promising work being done at Portland Community College to connect students to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). USDA experts will also discuss student eligibility for SNAP and the role institutions of higher education can play to get the word out about this benefit.

Thursday, March 31, 2:00 PM EDT
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.