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Frequently Asked Questions
How long has APHSA been around?
Seventy-five years. APHSA (then known as the American Public Welfare Association) was established in 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1974 the organization moved to Washington, DC, and in 1998 changed its name to the American Public Human Services Association in recognition of the much broader human service agenda it was addressing.
What is APHSA’s mission?
The mission of the American Public Human Services Association is to develop, promote, and implement public human service policies and practices that improve the health and well-being of families, children, and adults.
What are the other organizations under the APHSA umbrella
APHSA provides a professional home for nine affiliate organizations:
APHSA also supports the organization of State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) Administrators and the Center for Workers with Disabilities. APHSA also serves
as the secretariat to the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on
Adoption and Medical Assistance. To contact the APHSA staff primarily responsible for
each of these affiliates and related organizations,
see the Key Contacts List.
Does APHSA provide human services?
No. APHSA is a national Association and does not provide direct
human services to any children, families, or adults. We represent human service agencies
in all the states and territories and many counties throughout the country.
APHSA also does not get involved in processing or adjudicating clients’ appeals
of eligibility, service, or child support determinations made by local and state
agencies. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance or services,
please see the next section on how to access services.
How can I access human services in my home community?
If you, your family, or someone you know is in need of assistance or services, APHSA
recommends that you contact the human service agency in the county or city where you
live. You can identify that agency by:
- Referring to the blue government section of your local phone book. Find the listings for your county or city and look for the human service agency (might be called social services).
- Calling the Information and Referral Service in your area which can direct you to the most appropriate agency.
- Using the Internet and going to the web site for your county or city. From there you can usually click into the web page for the local human service agency to get a phone number and address.
Also, each human service agency has a written policy on what the appeal process is, if any, and how a person can move from one level of appeal to the next. The place to start is with your local
human service agency. If appeal rights have been exhausted locally, that agency should be able to tell you what the state appeals process is and how to access it.
Who should I contact if I am unsure whether my membership is still current?
You can send an e-mail to the Demetrius Williams, or call him at 202-682-0100, extension 276. If you have your five-digit member number handy that will expedite things, but it is not necessary.
Who can I contact if my address has changed?
You can send an e-mail to Demetrius Williams, or call him at 202-682-0100, extension 276. If you have your five-digit member number handy that will expedite things, but it is not necessary. Please include the complete new address, including a phone number and e-mail address.
What is the connection between my registering for an APHSA Affiliate conference and my becoming an individual member of APHSA?
By virtue of your attendance at some APHSA affiliate conferences, you automatically become an individual member of APHSA for one year. If you are already an individual member, your membership is renewed for another year. Membership fees are used to defray the cost of publication production, to support APHSA’s infrastructure, and to deliver core services for members.
How can I become an individual member without registering for an Affiliate conference?
There are two primary ways you can initiate an individual membership independent of attending an Affiliate conference. First, you can apply
for membership on-line by using a credit card, or by printing the application and mailing
it with a check. The second way you can apply is by requesting a membership brochure,
which will be mailed to you.
What are the benefits of individual membership?
For 75 years, APHSA has provided individual members with a professional home base and an important investment in career and professional development. Your Individual membership with APHSA offers you the following benefits:
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Knowing about and understanding critical and
timely human service issues
- Networking, career development,
and advancement
- Obtaining federal legislation, regulations, and funding
that are responsive to human service professionals’ needs and priorities
For a full list of individual member benefits and services, click here.
When does APHSA send dues renewal invoices to members?
Individual memberships run on a 12-month membership year based on when you initiated the membership. We mail dues renewal invoices three months before the end of the membership year. If you attend the same Affiliate conference from which your membership began the year prior (or another Affiliate conference about the same time of year), your membership will be renewed through your registration fee.
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