Policy & Practice June 2018

staff spotlight

Name: Romuald L. Tassigne Title: Research Associate, Center for Employment and Economic Well-Being (CEEWB) Time at APHSA: I started working at APHSA in March of this year. Life Before APHSA: Prior to joining the organization, I was working at DePaul University in Chicago as a Research Assistant while pursuing my Master in Public Administration. With my appreciation of APHSA’s mission to advance the well- being of all people, I was eager to join the organization. What I Can Do For Our Members: Through the strategic leadership of Tracy Wareing Evans, APHSA is, at its core, a human-centered, values-oriented, and solution- driven organization. My contribution incorporates three layers: policy advocacy, research innovation, and public engagement. From a policy perspective, I am interested in identifying credible pathways and policies that address issues of employment, child well-being, and youth empow- erment. My research expertise also would be instrumental to our members as I will be able to provide them with data-driven solutions and recommendations to the myriad of problems that we are trying to address. Last, public

engagement is one of my strengths; I enjoy interacting with other people to learn more about them and develop some form of bonding. This allows me to create a bridge and grow the social capital—essential for success in private life and at work. Priorities At APHSA: My priorities will include carrying out a robust scan of how TANF, SNAP E&T, and WIOA alignment is progressing across states, and identi- fying and highlighting states’ successes. I would also like to strengthen APHSA’s broader research efforts. Additionally, as the newest member of the CEEWB staff, I am eager to be a part of the team, enhancing the overall advocacy, visibility, and impact of our Collaborative Centers through sustained partnerships with our members. Best WayTo Reach Me: You can reach me by phone at (202) 682-0100, ext. 279 or by email at rtassigne@aphsa.org. When Not Working: My New Year’s resolution has been to lose some weight. So, if I am not in the office, you will catch me at the gym, in the pool (learning to swim with little kids), in a café reading comic books, or hanging out with family and friends. MottoTo Live By: Failure is the engine of success.

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helped noncustodial parents pay more than $26,000 in child support. Fathers can also take advantage of parenting classes offered in English and Spanish through the Child Welfare Division. Data show that more engaged parents lead to better outcomes for children and removing the barriers to engagement is the key to human- centered programming. Each of these programs puts the family at the center of the work and moves the depart- ment one step closer to the vision of a healthy community where people are connected, supported, safe, and well. Katie Smith is the Director of the Human Services Section at the Denver City Attorney’s Office.

continue to provide a system of support for his daughter. In 2017, after implementing this change in practice, legal fathers were identified and adjudicated for 417 children. And DHS has created other programs designed to support fathers in their parenting journey. The Fatherhood Program, through DHS’ Child Support Services Division, provides fathers with local resources, job training, and other community supports to help them better engage with their children. One father, who had been experiencing homelessness, participated in a job training program onsite at the main DHS building and was connected to both a job and housing. To date, the program has

The new policy is already having a profound effect on fathers and their children. Recently, we reunified a father in Denver with his daughter and their relationship is flourishing. The father had been estranged from his daughter for some time. Due to issues with the child’s safety at her mother’s home, DHS needed to find a safe place for her to stay. Initially, she went to stay with her maternal grandmother, but once DHS identified and located her father, we were able to reunify them. Together, the father and daughter are thriving as a family unit and he has named his daughter as the most significant person in his life. He also strongly supports keeping her maternal relatives in her life to

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