August 6, 2021
Greetings!
Our latest Cornerstone series brief, Harnessing Data & Technology to Construct a Human Services System that Supports Thriving & Equitable Communities, highlights how recent innovations in technology have opened a path for H/HS agencies to dramatically strengthen their data and technology infrastructure, while providing fairer and more equal access to crucial benefits and services. It shares recommendations on concrete policy steps that the Federal Government can take to help human services agencies create next-generation systems. Check out our additional Cornerstone transition briefs.
Hybrid registration has now opened for our 2021 Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB), on August 22-25. For those not able to join us in-person, you can enjoy the livestreaming for all of our general sessions and keynote speakers. Recordings of all sessions will be available afterwards for six months. Register for virtual or in-person registration here. Access our Meeting Safely materials here.
Congress is scheduled for their summer recess beginning next week through September 20. They may be called back to adopt a budget resolution, though the exact timing is uncertain. We will also take a recess and will only send a This Week In Washington for special alerts and announcements. You can keep up with us on Twitter and Linkedin, as well as our Catalyst blog.
Child and Family Well-Being
CDC Temporarily Extends Eviction Moratorium

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a temporary extension of the Eviction Moratorium that expired at the end of July. The renewed ban only covers counties that have a “substantial” spread of COVID-19 and expires October 3, 2021. The ban is expected to face significant legal challenges, but could give state and localities more time to distribute rental assistance or pass local bans.

Employment and Economic Well-Being
ACF Publishes FY2020 State Work Participation Rates

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published state work participation data for October 2019 through September 2020. The FY 2020 national average overall work participation rate was 39.6 percent, and the national average two-parent work participation rate was 46.9 percent. In FY 2020, 31 states and territories had a work participation rate target of zero, while 26 states and territories were not subject to the two-parent work participation requirement due to program structure. 

FNS Announces Virtual D-SNAP for FY21 and FY22

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced that the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) will be used virtually for the remainder of fiscal year 2021 and for fiscal year 2022. This means that individuals will no longer be required to do an in-person application and interview process to receive D-SNAP benefits.

FNS Announces Direct Certification Demonstration Projects with School Meals and Medicaid

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced demonstration projects to evaluate direct certification between the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program with Medicaid. This will allow states that have not previously participated in the demonstration project to join. Applications are due September 30, 2021 for school year 2022-23 and September 30, 2022 for school year 2023-2024.

FNS Posted SNAP Authorized Farmers Redemptions for 2020

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Redemptions Report for SNAP-authorized farmers and farmers markets. The report compares redemptions from 2013 to 2020.

Partner Updates
RECS 2022 Call for Proposals Open
 
The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE), an Office of the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) has opened the call for proposals for the upcoming Research & Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) 2022. RECS 2022 is currently being planned as an in-person event, to be held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC on June 1–3, 2022. RECS convenes to present the latest findings from evaluations of programs, policies, and services that support families. Deadline for submissions is August 27.
 
Save the Date for SPARK 2021
 
Designed by the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and Council on Accreditation (Alliance-COA), SPARK 2021 is a three-day virtual learning experience that will activate the power of the social sector. Mark your calendars for this three-day, virtual learning experience on October 12-14, to convene leaders from across the human services ecosystem to create a unified, intrepid, just, and purposeful network so that all people can thrive.
 
Upcoming Events
Webinar - The Road to Recovery: How States Are Spending Federal Rescue Dollars

Join The Council of State Governments for a conversation about the funding available to states through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and opportunities to leverage these funds for immediate state economic and fiscal recovery needs and long-term investments in state infrastructure and services. This session of Capitol Ideas Presents will provide an opportunity for state leaders to discuss and learn from each other about the processes they are using to make allocation decisions and how they are utilizing these funds for state recovery.

Wednesday, August 11, 3:00 PM EDT
APHSA Webinar - Leveraging Emergency Funding to Purchase Human Services Technology

Join us for a webinar with Northwoods and representatives from Carver County Health and Human Services (MN) and Otero County Department of Social Services (CO). By leveraging emergency funding, human services agencies across the country have successfully purchased technology designed to improve and support telework capabilities, provide touchless interaction to customers, and quickly recover from the current COVID-19 crisis, while also preparing for future waves. 

Monday, August 16, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT
Upcoming APHSA Conferences
In-person registration is now open for our upcoming conferences, listed below. Virtual registration will be open at a later date. Keeping the safety and well-being of our attendees first and foremost in our planning, we ask that you participate in a brief survey for the event(s) you plan to attend. Links are below.

Get rewarded for bringing a team of three or more! APHSA is offering a $25 discount per registration if you bring three or more members of your team. Email aphsaconferences@aphsa.org to secure the registration discount code.
August 22-25 | Milwaukee, WI

The Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB) will bring together members from three APHSA affinity groups – American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD), National Association of TANF Administrators (NASTA), National Association of Program Information and Performance Management (NAPIPM) – in partnership with the National Association of Welfare and Research Statistics (NAWRS). The conference convenes in beautiful Milwaukee, WI, at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee to showcase the work of agencies, researchers, and private sector to advance our collective goal of achieving economic mobility and well-being for all.
 
As we plan for our fall events, completing our EMWB Pulse Survey will inform us as we plan out the logistics for all to meet safely in Milwaukee.
Meeting Safely: APHSA is committed to putting the health, safety and well-being of attendees first and foremost as we continue planning for a hybrid conference. Please review the event Code of Conduct and FAQs or via our “Ask Abby” chatbot by scanning this QR code or texting “Hi” to 855-922-1226. You can also access our Meeting Safely materials on the conference website.
Information Technology Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Conference
September 26-29 | Cincinnati, OH

Reconnect at the ISM Annual Conference & Expo which will convene in Cincinnati, OH, at the Duke Energy Convention Center for their annual conference and expo. This event brings together agency leaders in technology, along with the private sector firms focused on providing solutions for health and human services agencies. The content presented will promote IT solutions and best practices that enhance the delivery of health and human services. In-person registration is now open.
 
Please take two minutes to complete our ISM Pulse Survey to help inform our logistics planning to meet safely in Cincinnati. 
The ISM Awards of Excellence celebrate state & local HHS agencies that are in the forefront of IT development & implementation. Envision your agency accepting one of these prestigious awards! Deadline is Friday, August 6. Submit here.
National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Conference
October 3-6 | Spokane, WA

Connect with your colleagues at the NSDTA Annual Education Conference in Spokane, WA. This conference brings together human services organizational development, staff development, and training professionals at the local, state, and federal levels. Join us at the DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center for the opportunity to share ideas, resources, and engage in robust sessions. We are focusing on forward-thinking ideas about instructional design, workforce development, evaluation and research, and much more! In-person registration is now open.

Your input for our NSDTA Pulse Survey will help inform our logistics planning to meet safely in Spokane.
NSDTA Awards - The National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) awards recognize outstanding individuals and initiatives within your organization which are helping advance the delivery of health and human services practices or programs to staff. Deadline is August 20. Submit here.
American Association of Health and Human Services Attorneys (AAHHSA) Conference
October 17-20 | Columbus, OH

Join your colleagues at the AAHHSA Annual Education Conference in Columbus, OH. This conference is a comprehensive learning and networking experience for attorneys representing state and local government agencies that administer health and human services programs. Join us at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square for content focusing on the policies and practices that enhance human services programs’ delivery and quality – all while earning continuing legal education credits! In-person registration is now open.
 
Please take two minutes to complete our AAHHSA Pulse Survey to help inform our logistics planning to meet safely in Columbus. 
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.