April 24, 2020
Greetings!
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the structural inequities impacting the health and well-being of too many of our nation’s families and children. Hear more from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) in our latest blog post.
 
You can continue to access our COVID-19 updates and resources here . And as many of us continue feeling the strain of our current times, let's remember the words of poet Maya Angelou: "Every storm runs out of rain."
Latest COVID-19 Updates
APHSA Releases Updated COVID-19 Policy Levers Summary
As policies and priorities continue to shift, APHSA continues to update our list of policy levers available to human services agencies in their response to COVID-19. Significant updates have been made this week around policy levers for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care, and Child Welfare. The document is organized by policy options that do not require federal approval, that require waivers and/or state plan adjustments, and policies that require congressional authorization.

Supplemental Package to CARES Act Passed
This week both the Senate and House passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, that would appropriate an additional $400 billion to expand small business relief and public health resources passed in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ( CARES) Act. It is expected to be passed by the President today. The bill appropriates an additional $321 billion to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, and guarantees that at least $60 billion would be for smaller depository institutions and other community financial institutions. The bill also increases Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) by $10 billion and ensures that agricultural organizations would be allowed to apply for these as well. In addition to small business enhancement, the bill provides $75 billion in supplemental appropriations to reimburse health care providers, and $25 billion for testing and research.

Child and Family Well-Being
The Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a letter advising child welfare leaders of the flexibility of certain requirements regarding fingerprint-based criminal record checks and caseworker visits to a child’s home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OHS Issues Guidance on Supporting Emergency Child Care During COVID-19 Crisis
The Office of Head Start (OHS) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has provided clarification on previously released guidance on how programs can support, when possible, the use of closed Head Start centers as temporary child care centers for medical personnel and essential workers. Head Start staff may support emergency child care operations in addition to the work they are doing to continue Head Start services. This guidance also clarifies cost allocation if programs support emergency child care. 

CARES Act CCDBG Supplemental Funding Announced
On April 15 th the Office of Child Care within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published the supplemental funding allocations provided in the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

Children's Bureau Issues Letter on Using Federal Funds for Cell Phones and Personal Protective Equipment
The Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a new letter to child welfare leaders addressing the availability of federal funding and other resources to assist with the purchase of cell phones and plans to facilitate contact with youth and families, and the purchase of personal protective equipment as an allowable cost.

Guidance About Seeking Personal Protective Equipment for Child Welfare Workers
The Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a letter urging child welfare leaders to connect with state leadership and emergency management to seek to have child welfare workers and service providers classified as level 1 emergency responders, which would allow them to have greater access to personal protective equipment.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
USDA Creates New COVID-19 Food Assistance Program
This week the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) announced a new program created to provide direct support to farmers and ranchers, while supporting food banks, food pantries, and other nonprofits. Of the $19 billion in this relief program, $16 billion will support farmers and ranchers, and $3 billion will be provided for local distributors and others who support the food distribution process. The funding will purchase fresh produce, dairy, and meat, and will be delivered in pre-packaged boxes to nonprofits. Distributors are asked to submit applications that include how they will reach various communities, such as rural populations and tribal nations, and which nonprofits they will partner with.

HHS Announces Grant Funding for Elderly and People with Disabilities
On April 21st, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $955 million in grant funding from the Administration of Community Living (ACL) for the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The majority of these additional funds, established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ( CARES) Act, were awarded earlier this week. Funds will go towards services such as home meal deliveries, respite care, and other in-home services.

From Our APHSA Partners
Recent COVID-19 Resources From Partners
The Urban Institute COVID-19 page shares information on topics such as Child Care and Education, Equity and Inclusion, Fiscal and Economic Policy
and Health and Health Policy.

MDRC shares Evidence-Informed Resources for Practitioners and Policymakers.
Funding Opportunity for GusNIP and FINI Grantees
The Nutrition Incentive Hub is pleased to make available 25 to 50 mini-grants of up to $10,000 each for current or past USDA GusNIP and FINI grantees (and their partners) to innovate, build capacity, and address specific programmatic and operational challenges to their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP) incentive and produce prescription (PPR) programs posed by the COVID-19 crisis. They invite interested entities to apply by May 5, 2020. For questions, email [email protected] .

Upcoming Webinars
Learn to Develop a Preventive Child Welfare Practice Model for the Family First Act
Join The Annie E. Casey Foundation to learn how states and counties can align a preventive child welfare practice model with the Family First Act . E xperts will discuss Putting Family First , a new paper from the Foundation that helps child welfare agencies develop a preventive practice model that addresses the unique needs of local families while ensuring quality, implementable programs and practices. This webinar is part of their continuing series “Leading With Evidence: Informing Practice With Research.”

Wednesday, April 29, 1:00 PM EST
Human Service Messaging During the COVID-19 Crisis
Join the National Human Services Assembly as they share guidance for relying on research-based communications strategies to make a strong case for supporting human service policies and programs as the nation addresses the impact of COVID-19 on our communities and our sector. Human service organizations across the country are playing a uniquely challenging role as part of the nation’s response to COVID-19, delivering essential services during a constantly evolving public health crisis while planning for the long-term needs that communities will face in the recovery phase.

Wednesday, April 29, 2:00-3:00 PM EST
NAWRS Virtual Workshop Series 2020:TANF Responses to COVID-19 – Voices from the Field
Join the National Association for Welfare Research and Statistics (NAWRS) and MEF Associates in the latest of their virtual workshop series. Hear from a group of senior leaders in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to discuss the experiences of TANF programs and the individuals and families they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Wednesday, April 29, 3:00-4:30 PM EST
Web Series: Integrating Social Services and Health
Join the last webinar in the Health Affairs three-part series that has highlighted key papers and authors examining the integration of social services and health. There is growing attention in the health sector to understanding and addressing the social factors that play a role in people’s health. Yet, most programs designed to meet social needs are completely separate from those designed to meet health care needs. Hear about studies published in this month's issue, particularly relevant now that COVID-19 highlights the need for an integrated response.

Thursday, April 30, 2:00-3:30 PM EST Infrastructure
How to Use Place-Based Data to Promote Health Equity During COVID-19
Join Salud America! to learn how their Health Equity Report Card can help you visualize and explore place-based health inequities in your county, and build a case toward solutions. Speakers will discuss how inequities contribute to disparities in infectious and chronic disease; how you can use local data, interactive maps, and comparative gauges to identify your local health inequity issues; and look at Evidence-based research and emerging ways local communities are addressing health inequities.

Thursday, May 7, 2:00 PM EST
Upcoming Events
Reminder: All APHSA-sponsored and co-hosted events that were scheduled between now and the end of June have been postponed. While we continue to plan for our events scheduled to take place in the 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.
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 TODAY
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.
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.