We’re excited to announce the launch of our new
APHSA Leadership Corner Series!
The virtual events will feature
Conversations to Spark Inspiration and Innovation
among human serving professionals who are leading the way in their communities. Join us on Wednesday, August 19 for our Inaugural Event —
Leading Courageously in Crisis: Rules of the Road
, featuring author and historian, Nancy Koehn. Learn more and register
here.
We have been closely tracking the progress of the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act and have written an analysis
here.
Detailed summaries of the entire Senate package are also listed below.
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Senate Republicans Release HEALS Act Package
Tuesday, Senate Republicans released the latest Coronavirus stimulus package proposals, known as the HEALS Act and comprised of several stand-alone bills from each Senate committee. APHSA has put together a detailed summary of key human services provisions within the package.
Liability Protections
text
Small Business Provisions
text
Restaurants Deduction
text
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House Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee Introduces Bill to Preserve SNAP Waiver Flexibilities
This week, Rep. Fudge (D-OH) and fellow House Agriculture Nutrition subcommittee members introduced legislation that would ensure states have the option to extend key Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (
SNAP) administrative flexibilities. The bill comes as USDA has communicated it will only approve waivers on an extremely limited basis going forward.
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Child and Family Well-Being
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CDC Releases New Resources and Tools to Support Opening Schools
On July 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released resources and tools that support opening schools safely by promoting behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-19, altering how the school day is structured, and outlining how to keep the school environment healthy through cleaning, proper ventilation, and other practices. The guidance comes as decision-making on in-person curriculum remains a hotly contested political discussion.
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House Passes Two Child Care Bills
This week the House passed the Child Care is Essential Act; it would make $50 billion in grant money available to child care providers to help with reopening costs, stabilize operations, and cover or reduce copayments. The House also passed the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act that would use tax breaks for both families and providers to help ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19. Both bills now move to the Senate for consideration ahead of the scheduled August 7
th
recess and negotiations for what to include in the next relief package.
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Employment and Economic Well-Being
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Annual SNAP Adjustment to Result in 5% Benefit Increase
Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released the results of the Cost of Foods Report, a required action to annually adjust Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (
SNAP) benefits based on changing food costs. As a result of the update, SNAP maximum benefits will increase 5.3%, effective October 1, 2020.
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Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Expires
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) expires today. July 31 marks the end of the additional $600 benefits payment received by individuals accessing standard Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). Conversations in Congress to potentially extend or modify the program are ongoing.
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ACF Publishes Questions and Answers about Tribal TANF and the Coronavirus Disease 2019
Last week, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published:
“Questions and Answers about Tribal TANF and the Coronavirus Disease 2019.”
This publication addresses frequently asked questions about the flexibilities available to tribal
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) programs and the requirements necessary for tribal programs to provide non-recurrent short-term (NRST) benefits to those in need as a result of COVID-19.
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Upcoming Webinars & Events
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APHSA Leadership Corner Series
:
Conversations to Spark Inspiration and Innovation
Join us virtually for our Inaugural Event
—
Leading Courageously in Crisis: Rules of the Road
,
featuring author and historian, Nancy Koehn. This session will present critical tools, insights and behaviors for leading courageously in crisis. We will examine a number of “Rules of the Road” for helping you, your team and your followers navigate through the current crises, including Covid-19, the economic downturn and the campaign for equality and justice. We will focus on how, in the midst of widespread volatility and high stakes, you can raise the level of your game as a leader. And we will explore how to motivate your people in a multi-stage crisis as well as how to take care of yourself in this environment.
Wednesday, August 19, 1:00-2:15 PM EST
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Experience NSDTA 360
—
Call For Proposals Now Open
We invite you to submit a proposal for our
Experience
NSDTA 360
virtual event.
The National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) will be holding a two-day virtual event on October 6-7, 2020.
Experience NSDTA 360
will share our collective work on supporting human services staff in response to the national pandemic. Learn more about submission guidelines
here
.
The deadline to submit is August 12.
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SNAP-Ed Connection and SNAP-Ed Toolkit’s Webinar Series
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Connection and SNAP-Ed Toolkit is hosting a webinar series that features 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. The remaining two parts in the series are:
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
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Webinar - State HIT Connect Virtual Mini-Series
Healthcare IT Connect is continuing their series with:
"Modernizing Our Public Health Systems in a Changing Regulatory Environment."
To prepare for the changing regulatory landscape and systems modernization, we must invest in our state health information exchange (HIE) networks. Join this session to hear how Amazon Web Services (AWS) and state HIEs are adopting new strategies and investments to help modernize our public health system to assist with the COVID-19 response and help our health care providers prepare for upcoming regulatory changes.
Thursday, August 6, 2020
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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
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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.
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