March 20, 2020
Greetings!
In light of the unprecedented time we are in, we continue to use This Week In Washington as an avenue for COVID-19 updates—both from our association and Congress and the Administration. We’re very mindful of how full all our email boxes are with COVID-19 related messages and we are utilizing our communication channels already in place as much as possible to keep from inundating you with too much, while still keeping communication lines open.

With everyone’s health and well-being remaining our top priority, all APHSA-sponsored and co-hosted events that were scheduled between now and the end of May have been postponed. While we continue to plan for our 2020 National Health and Human Services Summit  scheduled for June, as well as other APHSA events scheduled to take place later in the summer and fall, we are simultaneously making contingency plans should we not be able to convene.

We are grateful for all that our members and partners are doing on the ground to support the health, safety, and well-being of people—and we remain committed to doing all we can to support you as our team continues to telework in light of CDC guidelines. With teleworking being the new reality for many of us, it’s important to be aware of potential cyber threats that take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.
 
Please continue below for additional resources and legislative updates.
Latest COVID-19 Updates
Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R.6201
Late on Wednesday, March 18, the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which is the second of three COVID-19 bills expected to be passed. This bill includes nutrition support in the form of flexibilities for SNAP regarding work requirements and emergency supplemental allotments, as well as additional SNAP benefits for families with one or more children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. The bill also appropriates $500 million in funding for WIC, $400 million for the Commodity Assistance Program, $250 million for Aging and Disability Services, $100 million for US territories, and $64 million for Indian Health Services. Additionally, the bill enhances the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage ( FMAP) by 6.2%, and ensures that diagnostic testing be free to all. While the bill contains some provisions for paid sick and emergency leave, we expect to see this further expanded in the third bill next week.
 
Child and Family Well-Being
Children’s Bureau Updated Child Welfare Policy Manual Regarding Case Worker Visits
This week, the Administration of Children and Families’ (ACF) Children’s Bureau updated the Child Welfare Policy Manual to address questions regarding virtual caseworker visits. The Children’s Bureau clarified that in a time of emergency - such as the declaration of a national emergency where human to human contact is discouraged - virtual caseworker visits would satisfy monthly required caseworker visits. The agency would have to closely monitor for safety and have a plan in place for if that child/family cannot be reached during the video conference or if the video conference raises concerns for safety and wellbeing.

2020 Census Partnership
We are partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to support their efforts to count everyone in the United States, with the results becoming the basis for congressional representation and helping to determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds is distributed each year to support vital programs in states and communities across the country. These funds shape local health care, housing, education, transportation, employment, and public policy.

As leaders in your community, we encourage you to urge every household to complete the census. The Census Bureau has a wealth of   materials and resources   to make your outreach simple and with COVID-19 and the need for social distancing in mind, they have shared ways to still support the census:

  • Post a blog, video blog, or video message from your organization's leadership on internal and/or external channels to encourage census response. Note why census participation is important to your organization and your community.
  • Send email blasts to your employees and/or email lists to encourage response, highlighting key dates. Leverage collaboration platforms, employee resource groups, text messages, intranets, phone trees, customer bills and receipts, etc.
  • Host a webinar, teleconference, or virtual townhall to share 2020 Census information, encourage response, and answer questions.
  • Host a Twitter chat, Facebook Live event, or other social media event to share 2020 Census information, encourage response, and answer questions. 
  • Drop off or post census handouts and information at essential locations that remain opened, such as community centers, health clinics, grocery stores, etc.
  • Write letters to the editor or op-eds on why census participation is important to your organization and your community - particularly to support challenges like COVID-19.
  • Use our Statistics in Schools online resources to educate young people about the census and continue digital learning while schools are out.
Upcoming Events
Reminder: All APHSA-sponsored and co-hosted events that were scheduled between now and the end of May have been postponed. While we continue to plan for our 2020 National Health and Human Services Summit  scheduled for June, as well as other events scheduled to take place later in the summer and fall, we are simultaneously making contingency plans should we not be able to convene. In the same spirit, we will remain flexible regarding event deadlines as we move forward.
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 in Arlington, VA.
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. Deadline for submission has been extended to April 3.
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. 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.  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. Deadline for submission is May 1.
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.