July 24, 2020
Greetings!
In the midst of our nationwide heatwave, we hope you can stay cool while keeping up with the latest around Washington. Our latest blog post is from our own Mary Nelson and friends at Third Sector - "Insights for Designing Outcomes-Oriented Programs for Young Parent Families," which summarizes insights from studies that evaluated over 100 evidence-based, young parent support programs across the U.S.
 
You can also continue to access our COVID-19 related resources including our policy analysis and a collection of federal guidance here .  
Legislative Updates
APHSA Submits Letter to Congress

Today, APHSA submitted a letter to Congress highlighting the key policy priorities that child care administrators recognize are needed to ensure the availability of safe and stable care, and to urge Congress to prioritize child care in negotiations for the next stimulus package. The recommendations cover policy issues focused on s upporting child care operations, instituting effective health and safety protocols, and supporting the education system and working parents.

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Extended

On Thursday, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, announced the extension of the public health emergency. The extension is effective starting July 25 when the initial declaration was set to expire. The Secretary made the announcement via this tweet .

Senate Republicans Discuss Short-Term Extension of Boosted Unemployment Benefits

Senate Republicans delayed the release of a $1 trillion coronavirus relief package amid disagreements about the extension of a $600-per-week unemployment insurance benefit that's set to expire at the end of the month.  On Thursday, July 23, Senators reported that discussion about an extension is in the early stages and there is no consensus on the size or duration of the extension. Senate Democrats want to extend the $600-per-week benefit through the end of the year. While, Senate Republicans are opposed to this extension but have not agreed on a replacement.

GOP, Democrats Debate Scope of Stimulus Checks

Currently, Republicans and Democrats are both in support of a second round of stimulus checks in the forthcoming coronavirus relief bill; however, there is debate about the parameters for the payments. House Democrats passed legislation in May that would maintain the same income limits as the majority of the previous payments; however, GOP lawmakers and the Administration have indicated a desire to lower the limits to focus relief towards those who have been most affected by the pandemic, and limit the total of money allocated in the next relief bill. 

Budget & Appropriations Update

This week the House passed a four-bill minibus appropriations bill, HR 7608, including the Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA spending bill. The Agriculture bill largely remained unchanged from its draft version released earlier this month. A second minibus bill, HR 7616, containing seven appropriations bills, including Labor-HHS-Education, is scheduled for consideration next week.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
CARES Act CSBG Applications Announcement

The Administration for Children and Families announced application qualifications for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds under the CARES Act. CSBG funding is available to address the consequences of increasing unemployment and economic disruption as a result of COVID-19. States and territories must submit their CARES Act state plan applications by September 1, 2020.

RFI on Federal Coordination to Promote Economic Mobility

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a request for information (RFI) to gather feedback from state and local stakeholders to better inform the federal interagency Council on Economic Mobility’s priorities and how the Council can promote economic mobility, recovery, and resilience. Written comments are due October 2.

FNS Announces Additional Funding from CARES Act for FDPIR

The Food and Nutrition Service announced extra food packages for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) participants. These additional food packages will be funded by the CARES Act, and will serve to temporarily supplement the monthly FDPIR food package.

FNS Extends QC Face-to-Face Interview Waivers through Sept. 2020

The Food and Nutrition Service has extended a blanket waiver for Quality Control (QC) face-to-face interviews through September 2020 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While multiple states have had this waiver prior to COVID-19, this extension will support multiple states and SNAP agencies in limiting in-person interactions.

2021 Guidance Posted for SNAP Nutrition Education

The Food and Nutrition Service posted the 2021 guidance for the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program (SNAP-Ed). The guidance includes estimate allocations for the fiscal year, the complete guidance package, and various useful templates.

From Our APHSA Partners
U.S. Census Bureau Response Rate Map & Toolkit

Approximately 62% of households in the U.S. have self-responded to the 2020 Census online, by mail, or by phone. Keep track of how many households in your community have participated with an interactive map of self-response rates from across the country. If responses aren't good in your area, the Census Bureau has provided a toolkit to help census partners plan, as well as updating their outreach materials during a time when much of the country is still social distancing.

The Aspen Parent Powered Solutions Fund

The Parent Powered Solutions Fund was created by the Ascend Parent Advisors in partnership with  Imaginable Futures , and is the realization of goals set by the first cohort of Parent Advisors who voiced support for community-based organizations. The Fund will provide 12-month grants totaling $150,000 to nonprofit organizations that are supporting student parents in completing postsecondary programs including: workforce development, career, technical, and postsecondary education.

American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) Special Issue

Supported by Systems For Action and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this special issue of AJPH focuses on the importance of aligning health and social systems to improve population health. A collection of 15 new studies are featured, exploring a broad array of strategies for connecting systems, including innovative staffing models, new alliances and partnerships, data integration, and novel financing arrangements.

MAXIMUS COVID-19 Survey

MAXIMUS is conducting a survey of state and local health and human services to garner insights and lessons learned to date relating to COVID-19 and your agency. As a result of COVID-19, 2020 has presented and created an unprecedented series of events and challenges for national, state, and county governments. MAXIMUS has developed a survey to provide an opportunity for you to reflect and provide insights. The results of this survey will be shared in the near future, during a peer discussion held via webinar. This survey is open to government or public agencies only and should be completed by August 6.

Upcoming Webinars & Events
SNAP-Ed Connection and SNAP-Ed Toolkit’s 3 Part Webinar Series

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Connection and SNAP-Ed Toolkit will be hosting a three-part webinar series starting July 25, that will feature state and local SNAP-Ed programs that are creating, innovating, and delivering SNAP-Ed remotely during the COVID-19 era. This webinar is an opportunity to learn how partners across the country are adapting to a new virtual environment, whether it be by modifying existing digital nutrition education platforms or reinventing delivery methods.

Tuesday, July 28, 1:00-2:30 PM EST
Adapting SNAP-Ed Programming to Remote Delivery

Tuesday, August 4, 1:00-2:30 PM EST
Measuring and Evaluating Impact

Tuesday, August 11, 1:00-2:30 PM EST
Collecting and Reporting Data
Stimulus Check Outreach Webinar: Learn How to Ensure SNAP and Medicaid Participants in Your State are Getting $1,200 for What They Need Most

The IRS is working to speed Economic Impact Payment delivery to individuals and families, but 12 million very low-income Americans do not know they are eligible or how to claim their payment. Learn more about the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) toolkit of turnkey resources that States can leverage. The toolkit is written to be clear and informative for non-filers and includes both English and Spanish materials like web copy, scripts, and email/SMS copy, as well as press materials, social media content, and paid advertising assets. For more information about the webinar, please contact Alicia Koné at [email protected] .  For more information about the CBPP toolkit, please contact Roxy Caines at [email protected] .
 
Friday, July 31, 2:00 PM EST
20th Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS)

Since 1998, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has convened the RECS to present the latest findings from evaluations of programs, policies, and services that support low-income and vulnerable families on the path to economic self-sufficiency. For nearly 20 years, the RECS has been a leading forum for researchers, State and local administrators, practitioners, and Federal officials and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge research on family self-sufficiency and social welfare programs and policies. The Virtual RECS 2020 will provide an opportunity to hear the latest findings from evaluations of human services and employment programs and policies, discuss ways to incorporate findings into the design and implementation of programs, and identify future evaluation needs.

October 13-15, 2020
October 19-22, 2020
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.