APHSA 2015 Annual Report

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3 American Public Human Services Association
Through the Pathways framework, we advanced our members’
policy and practice priorities through the following actions and
accomplishments:
●●Testified before the House Ways & Means Human Resources
Subcommittee on ways to improve TANF and work engagement,
sparking active discussion in Congress of the need to modernize
TANF’s outdated incentive and accountability structure and align
it with the workforce sector through the recently reauthorized
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Actively working
with Congress as part of TANF reauthorization to design alternatives
to the work participation rate.
●●Launched the grassroots Keeping Kids in Families campaign through
our historic partnership with the Alliance for Strong Families and
Communities and the National Organization of State Associations
for Children. Known as the Triad, this partnership has advanced
concrete ideas for achieving results-based funding in child
welfare with a focus on shifting to up-stream prevention-oriented
investments. At the request of Congressional staff and in anticipation
of a bipartisan bill, provided detailed comments on draft legislation,
including what constitutes an effective continuum of care. Visit online
at:
●●Oriented states to the opportunities for modernizing human services
systems through use of the OMB Cost Allocation Exception,
which was extended for three years at the urging of our members.
Advocated for expanded access to the verified data through the
Federal Data Services Hub for health and human service eligibility
determinations.
●●Helped collect data and connect child welfare leaders to the National
Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities. Urged
the Commission to include in its recommendations the need for a
public health approach to reducing child abuse and neglect.
●●Testified before the National Commission on Hunger sharing
members’ views on the need for an integrated set of policies and
strategies for strengthening the nutrition, capacity, and overall well-
being of low-income families.
●●Connected human service leaders to key officials within the Federal
Administration to promote well-guided and effective implementation
of major law changes, including the Child Care Development Block
Grant (CCDBG) and Preventing Trafficking and Strengthening
Families Act. Helped secure much needed additional time for states
to complete state plans following the extensive changes in the
CCDBG.
●●Contributed state and local input on proposed regulations, including
the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
(AFCARS), SACWIS, WIOA, and the extended 90-10 funding for
Medicaid eligibility systems.
●●Actively supported “blended funding” demonstrations for
disconnected youth; pilots to test new workforce engagement
approaches for SNAP participants; and other opportunities to allow
states and localities to innovate.
●●Presented information to Congress on state’s use of the Social
Services Block Grant as an important resource to strengthen
individual and family capacity, prevent abuse and neglect of children
and adults, prevent or reduce inappropriate use of institutional care,
and otherwise serve as a “glue” across services and sectors.
INFLUENCE HIGHLIGHTS
FROM 2015
“When a strategy is in question I ask, what would APHSA do
or recommend?” – Alaska