encyclopedia of adoption

American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)

Founded in 1930 at the time of the Great Depression, the American Public Human Services Association is a nonprofit professional organization that represents the interests of 50 state human services departments and Washington, D.C., as well as local public welfare agencies and caseworkers.

for California

The association first rose to prominence in 1930 when it aided President Hoover's Emergency Committee for Employment in the creation of public relief and welfare programs; APHSA was also involved in the Social Security Act and has been involved in numerous other social welfare programs from the Depression Era to the present.

In addition to a strong commitment to poor children and their families, APHSA is also actively concerned with such issues as teenage pregnancy, immigration reform, abuse of the elderly and other major issues facing Americans today.

It serves as the secretariat for two interstate compacts involved with the placement of children for adoption across state lines: the INTERSTATE COMPACT ON THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN and the INTERSTATE COMPACT ON ADOPTION AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

The association also performs or assists with research on public welfare issues and offers training and seminars to members. Publications include Public Welfare, the quarterly professional journal of the organization; APHSA News, a quarterly membership newsletter; Public Welfare Directory, an annual directory; This Week in Washington, a weekly newsletter; and W-Memo, a monthly review of current federal policy changes, legislation and similar issues.

For further information or to obtain copies of the interstate compacts, contact APHSA directly:

American Public Human Services Association
1000 Connecticut Ave. Suite 9
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 682-0100

Find more information on American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)