The Pathways Initiative
Pathways is an initiative of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and its members to transform how health and human services are provided in this country. Public human services must move in new directions – down new pathways – if we are to meet increased demand for assistance at a time of tight budgets and heightened public expectations for effective outcomes in the work we do.
Through Pathways we hope not only to articulate a vision for a transformed human service system and for the outcomes such a system can help achieve, but to build the support for concrete action to make that vision real.
At the centerpiece of Pathways are four major outcomes that we seek. The transformed human service system APHSA envisions can be achieved by focusing policy and practice on impacting these four outcome areas, each of them undergirded by key foundational supports and policy frameworks.
OUTCOMES WE SEEK
Pathways was developed in coordination with APHSA's governing policy councils made up of state cabinet-level commissioners of health and human services agencies as well as local leaders, our nine affiliates through their leadership committees and a working group designated by our policy council.
What you can do
We cannot do this alone. Getting there will require not just improving government—although that is a key part of our vision—but must involve the private sector, the nonprofit and faith communities, and most of all, the strengths and resources of families and the communities in which they live. Pathways will be the focus of APHSA's National Policy Forum, June 3-5 in Washington, DC. Join us there and throughout this initiative to identify and follow the pathways that will benefit all Americans.
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Featured items
Pathways policy briefs outline policy recommendations and priorities for current human service programs based on how they can lead toward the Pathways outcome goals identified by APHSA.
Pathways Policy Briefs
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Achieving Gainful Employment and Independence
Stronger families, adults, and communities
Healthier families, adults, and communities
Sustained Well-being of Children and Youth