January 6, 2023

Hello Donna,

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized each year on January 11. The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Learn more by following the hashtag #WearBlueDay and find resources here. 

A new podcast from Mathematica features our President and CEO Tracy Wareing Evans, APHSA members Michael Becketts, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, and Shavana Howard, Assistant Secretary of Family Support for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. The panel makes the case for state and local human services agencies to play a central role in advancing environmental justice.

Our latest Catalyst blog post, by Lofaine Bradford of our OE team, shares how investing in young parents and their children is key to building thriving communities, and introduces our new microsite featuring our System Alignment for Young Families Project.

Be sure to catch up on both of our podcast series, as new episodes are coming!

Disrupt the Dialogue features BIPOC leaders in health and human services sharing their personal experiences and insights. Our Dream Deferred features discussions with guests whose insights and lived experiences help deconstruct the American story. Find us on your favorite streaming platform or listen on our podcast page.

Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 Signed Into Law

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 was signed into law on December 29, 2022. The bill includes annual funding for key human services provisions and other major policy changes. APHSA has developed a summary of key human services policy and appropriations provisions that should be viewed as highlights of the most critical updates for state and local human services agencies.

Read Bill Text

Read APHSA Summary

Rebecca Jones Gaston Confirmed as Commissioner of ACYF

Before recessing for the new Congressional term in 2023, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Oregon’s Child Welfare Director Rebecca Jones Gaston to Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) in the Department of Health and Human Services. In this position, Commissioner Jones Gaston will oversee both the Children’s and the Family & Youth Services Family Bureaus.  

Read More

SAMHSA Awards 988 Lifeline Grants from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded $47 million to states and territories to expand and enhance 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Services. Later this month, additional awards will be announced for both tribal grants and program administration costs. 

Read Press Release

CMS Releases Guidance on Medicaid Eligibility for Former Foster Youth

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance in December to advise state leaders of changes by the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act. The new guidance expands eligibility and simplifies the determination and enrollment process for former foster youth.  

Read Guidance

Anne-Marie Twohie Welcomed as New Deputy Director of the OCC

The Office of Child Care (OCC) announced Anne-Marie Twohie as the new Deputy Director. In joining OCC leadership, Ms. Twohie will work to strengthen the long-term capacity of OCC, support program implementation, and enhance child and family well-being.  

Read More

FNS Posts Q&A on Changes to SNAP Benefits for 2023

Earlier today, the USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) shared facts and a Q&A about changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 2023. The changes included affect both the Omnibus Bill and significant increases to social security benefits. These address the decreases in benefits that clients will face in the coming months.

Read Q&A

Vermont & New Jersey Approved for P-EBT

Vermont and New Jersey became the second and third states approved for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for the 2022-2023 school year. Vermont’s plan includes both school-aged children and children in child care, while New Jersey only includes children in child care. This comes at a time when states continue to work through new legislation from the Omnibus Bill and its impacts to the current P-EBT program.

Read VT Plan & Summary

Read NJ Plan & Summary

FNS Updates ABAWD Waiver Status Report

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) updated the status of Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) waivers for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. 

Read Report

Webinar - Supporting PHE Coverage and Navigating Transitions for Medicaid Populations

Join us for a webinar with Deloitte on the Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwinding. As Medicaid agencies prepare for PHE Unwinding, there are a range of strategies that can be offered to improve access and support independence and decision-making for Medicaid recipients. This webinar will focus on key challenges and focus areas of the PHE Unwind that address the impact of losing Medicaid coverage and associated benefits, once the continuous coverage requirement is no longer in effect.

Wednesday, January 18, 3:00 PM EST

Webinar - NSDTA January 2023 Show Case Series: Transfer of Learning in Today’s Training Environment

Join us for our next NSDTA Showcase Series webinar, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many of us to reevaluate how we train (in-person, remote, online, hybrid) and how to best support learners. This session will offer perspectives from panelists on the significant role Transfer of Learning (TOL) plays in creating lasting learning experiences. Panelists will share how their organizations effectively use TOL and explore how their TOL methodologies have (or have not) changed in this evolving training landscape.

Thursday, January 19, 3:00 PM EST

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