Call for Human Services Research Poster Showcase Proposals
Research in Action: Evidence-Based Pathways for Human Services

Join us at the APHSA National Human Services Summit for a dynamic and interactive look into the latest research shaping the future of human services. Our Research Poster Showcase is designed to connect researchers who study what works—and why—with human services leaders across state, county, and city agencies. Whether your focus is measuring outcomes and impact of human services programs and new initiatives, evaluating new models and interventions, reducing barriers and improving access, implementing technology solutions, participatory research initiatives, or strengthening community engagement, we want your insights to help leaders elevate their services, drive sustainable change, and ultimately improve the lives of those they serve. 

Key Dates:

  • Notification of Acceptance: Mid-April 2025 
  • Poster Session: Sunday, June 1, 2025

Focus and Themes:

All proposals must directly connect to individuals and communities served by and receiving human services, showcasing forward-thinking research and solutions that address:

  1. Innovative Policy and Practice
    • New frameworks for outcome measurement and impact evaluation
    • Community engagement strategies
    • Emergency preparedness and crisis response
  2. Systems, Data, and Technology
    • Data analytics and interoperability 
    • Technology-driven service delivery 
    • Funding and procurement models 
  3. Leadership and Culture
    • Workforce well-being and resilience
    • Collaboration models that drive deep impact
    • Leadership approaches that build strong cultures

Attending the APHSA National Human Services Summit provides attendees and their organizations invaluable knowledge. Attendees can network with others in the human services sector, connect with our wide range of Strategic Industry Partners, and have unparalleled access to learnings over three days of small groups and sessions. The categories of the sessions are below:

This call for proposals seeks inspiring submissions that:

  • Moving Human Services Upstream 
  • Advancing Social and Economic Mobility
  • Strengthening the Human Services Sector

2024 Summit Attendees by Sector

APHSA strives to create a unique experience for Summit attendees. The goal is to foster knowledge-building on emerging national policy issues affecting state, county, and city agencies delivering human services in our communities. At the Summit, we seek to highlight and showcase innovative practices and models from state and local jurisdictions, with a special focus on individuals with lived experience and leveraging community and human-centered design strategies and successes; process innovations and agile technology solutions; and strategies that center equity, inclusivity, and belonging in all the work of the human services sector.

Justification for Travel Request

The letter outlines the necessity of the proposed travel to attend the 2025 Summit, emphasizing how it will contribute to your team’s goals and foster valuable connections. It also details the expected benefits, ensuring alignment with your agency’s overall strategy and return on investment.

The 2025 Agenda-At-A-Glance, which offers a brief overview of this year’s sessions and speakers, is now available for download.

The National Human Services Summit host hotel is the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, located in the heart of the City Center. The hotel boasts that it has “delight in every corner.” It features spacious and comfortable rooms, on-property dining, arcades, games (including a bowling alley), an impressive fitness center, an indoor lap pool, and an impressive art gallery.

The closest airport to Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), approximately 10 Miles from the hotel. You can get to the hotel using a taxi, Uber/Lyft, and/or local public transportation, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

The City of Philadelphia compiled its top recommendations for activities and dining during your stay. The City of Brotherly Love, known for its rich history, iconic landmarks, vibrant culture, and diverse neighborhoods, has something for everyone.

Hotel Block & Room Rates

APHSA has negotiated a room block for conference attendees. Booking inside the association block ensures that APHSA meets its contractual obligations. Use the secure links below to book your hotel rooms for discounted rates before Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Standard Room Rate:
$259, plus applicable 16.37% state and local taxes.

Government Per Diem Room Rate:
$187, plus applicable 16.37% state and local taxes.

Additional Information

Use of Debit Cards
When an individual uses a bank debit card to pay for their hotel room, the hotel may secure all funds for the entire reservation at check-in, plus a small daily fee for incidentals.

For questions regarding house and meeting arrangements, please contact:
Donna Jarvis-Miller, CMP, CEM, Director, Membership and Events

Cancellation Policy
You are responsible for canceling your hotel reservation. It must occur 72 hours before arrival to avoid a one-night room and tax penalty charge.

  • Beware of housing pirates trying to represent that they have rooms available. APHSA does not have contracts with outside firms to book housing for any of our events. Always book directly from the event site to ensure you are securing a room within the APHSA-negotiated hotel.

Travel & Transportation Information

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is 10 miles from our host hotel, Marriott Philadelphia Downtown. For those arriving by Amtrak, select Union Station, 30th Street, as the destination.  The Visit Philly website has lots of information on our host city.  Visit SEPTA for train schedules.

NOTE: APHSA does not endorse any of the listed services. This information is supplied for convenience only.

Arrive by Car

On-site parking: N/A
Self-parking across the street (not available on-site);
Public garage daily: $60.00

Daily valet: $69.50

Arrive by Taxi or Rideshare Services

Estimated taxi fares:
From PHL airport, about $33; From Union Transfer, about $8-15

Estimated rideshare rates: $45-100 Uber;
$25-35 for Lyft

Arrive by Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

From PHL, about $8

To register, you must sign in using the email associated with your APHSA profile. If you do not have a profile, you must create one. Contact our Member Services team if you have questions about your registration profile.

If you have other questions about registration, please direct those requests to our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis.

Please make a note:

  • Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the conference, your organization is responsible for paying the registration fees. Any unpaid registration fees must be paid before arrival at the conference unless a valid purchase order is on file to guarantee payment. If your agency is paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.

2025 Registration Fees

Below are this year’s registration fees, payment information, and cancellation policies. Register before Wednesday, May 14, to take advantage of the early bird savings!

2025 Registration FeesBefore May 14After May 14
Government Member: Full Conference$965.00$1,015.00
Government Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE)$1,065.00$1,115.00
Government Non-Member: Full Conference$1,040.00$1,095.00
Government Non-Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE)$1,140.00$1,195.00
Private Sector Member: Full Conference$950.00$1,100.00
Private Sector Non-Member: Full Conference$1,095.00$1,150.00
One Day: Sunday$550.00$590.00
One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day$650.00$690.00
One Day Non-Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day$750.00$790.00
Students: Full Conference$200.00$250.00
Guests (receptions and meals only)$335.00$390.00
2025 Sponsor Registration FeesBefore May 14After May 14
Sponsor Personnel Registrations$800.00$850.00

Additional Information

During registration, you must provide a cell phone number and email address. The event team will use your phone number to send event updates via push notifications. This number will not be shared with any other parties.

Group Discount: 4+ Participants

Bring your team of four or more and receive a $25 discount per registration!
Groups of four or more from the same organization receive a discount on registration. Please use the discount code SUMMIT25 when registering your group. Note: Discounts do not apply to additional sponsor personnel passes as the price of additional sponsor passes has already been reduced.

Payment Information

All registration fees must be paid at the time of registration with a credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) or an accompanying Purchase Order number on file with APHSA before the start of the conference. If you are paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.

Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the summit, your organization will be responsible for paying the registration fees.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be received in writing by Tuesday, May 13, 2025. No refunds will be available after this date. We will not accept cancellation requests by telephone. A $150 cancellation fee for pre-paid registrations and those invoiced on a purchase order will be assessed. All refunds are processed after the conference. Registration fees for attendees who do not show will not be waived or refunded. Please note that your agency is responsible for paying any fees, even if you don’t attend the conference. You are responsible for canceling your registration and any hotel reservation in accordance with the cancellation policy.

Email our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis. Please allow 24 hours for a response during business days, Monday – Friday. Emails received on Saturday or Sunday will be responded to by the end of the day the following business day.