How long has APHSA been around?
APHSA was established in 1930 in Chicago, Ill. (then known as the American Public Welfare Association). In 1974 the organization moved to Washington, D.C., 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?
APHSA pursues excellence in health and human services by supporting state and local agencies, informing policymakers, and working with our partners to drive innovative, integrated and efficient solutions in policy and practice.

What are the other organizations under the APHSA umbrella?
APHSA provides a professional home for the following affiliate organizations:

• American Association of Public Welfare Attorneys (AAPWA)
• American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD)
• Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC)
• IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM)
• National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM)
• National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA)
• National Association of State Child Care Administrators (NASCCA)
• National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA)
• National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA)

APHSA also houses the Center for Workers with Disabilities (CWD), which was established in 2001 to help states implement the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act and related efforts intended to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The CWD is a technical assistance center that holds conferences, provides education, participates in policy development and performs other functions similar to the nine affiliates.

APHSA also serves as the secretariat to the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance.

Does APHSA provide human services?
No. APHSA is a national association and does not provide direct human services to any children, adults or families. We represent human service agencies in all of 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 those 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:

• 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.
• Calling the Information and Referral Service in your area which can direct you to the most appropriate agency.
• Referring to your local phone book. Find the listings for your county or city and look for the human service agency (might be referred to as social services).

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.