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Beacon of Service Award Nominations are Open!
The Beacon of Service Award, presented by the Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA), honors outstanding public human services attorneys for their professional achievement, leadership, and contributions to human services law and policy. The award recognizes individuals who enhance legal and policy practices, promote innovative legislation, and share best practices. Recipients display professionalism, legal competence, ethical integrity, leadership, and a commitment to mentoring future attorneys.
Nominations are due by August 22, 2025. For questions, contact Marie Comito.
Now Accepting Emerging Excellence Award Nominations!
The Emerging Excellence Award, presented by the Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA), recognizes up-and-coming attorneys who are making significant contributions to public welfare law, encompassing areas such as human services, developmental disabilities, long-term care, and child welfare. The award honors attorneys who actively engage in improving legislation and public policy, promote innovative thinking and collaboration, demonstrate professionalism and emerging leadership, and embody qualities like integrity, compassion, and humor. The commitment to enhancing public human services law within their community is a key focus.
Nominations are due by August 22, 2025. For questions, contact Marie Comito.
See you in October!
The PHSA Education Conference, taking place from October 19 to 22 in Reno, NV, is an opportunity for all human services attorneys to come together and learn. Human services encompass a vast array of services – Medicaid, child welfare, family services, SNAP/TANF, public health, mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, corrections/justice-based programming, and more.
At the annual PHSA Education Conference, produced by APHSA, legal leaders from state, county, and federal human services agencies join industry professionals to learn about the latest legal trends. The conference is hosted by the APHSA affinity group, the Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Affinity Group, which focuses on the legal components of government human services. Stay tuned for a finalized agenda. We can’t wait to see you there!
Why Attend
This conference showcases innovative approaches to the design and delivery of state, county, and city human services at the intersection of legal compliance, policy, and practice. There is also a focus on important legal topics in the larger realm of human services, with the ability for attendees to obtain all their annual continuing legal education units (CLE), including ethics. This conference offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, peer networking, experiencing hands-on demonstrations of solutions, and connecting with a wide array of committed partners and organizations, all working toward a shared vision: Thriving Communities Built on Human Potential.
Justification for Travel Request
The letter outlines the necessity of the proposed travel to attend the 2025 Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference, 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.
Agenda
The 2025 Agenda-At-A-Glance, providing an overview of this year’s sessions and speakers, is now available for download.
(Latest update, 07/31/25, Version 9)
Speakers & Session Highlights
Stay tuned to see which fantastic speakers will be featured at this year’s conference. Please keep visiting this page for updates!
Monday, October 20, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening General Session | Welcome to PHSA 2025 & Opening Keynote
Wednesday, October 22, 10:15 AM – 12:00 PM
General Session | Closing Remarks & Ethics Session
Hotel & Travel

The Peppermill Reno Hotel Resort is the host hotel for the Public Human Services Attorneys (PHSA) Education Conference. The hotel is located in a culturally vibrant region of Reno known for its focus on public art.
The resort features extensive amenities to make your stay comfortable and convenient. Indulge in the opulence of Reno’s best casino spa or enjoy swimming pools, a fitness center, a business center, casino shopping, and an arcade.
The airport is Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO), which is approximately three miles from either hotel. You can get to the hotel using a taxi or Uber/Lyft.
Hotel Block & Room Rates
APHSA negotiated a block of rooms for our attendees. Booking inside the association block ensures that APHSA meets its contractual obligations.
Peppermill Reno Hotel Resort
Use the secure link below to book your hotel rooms for discounted rates before Thursday, September 18th, 5:00 PM PST.
Run of House Rates: $130, $40 Resort Fee
plus applicable 13% taxes and $2 Tourism Fee, per night
NOTE: APHSA experiences sold-out hotel block reservations for our events. We encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible!
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.
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.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions about the house and meeting arrangements, please contact:
Donna Jarvis-Miller, CMP, CEM, Director, Membership and Events.
ALERT: Beware of Housing Pirates
- 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
The closest airport near Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is 3 miles from our two hotels, The Atlantis Resort Spa and the Peppermill Resort Spa. Both hotels have complimentary shuttles to their respective hotels.
NOTE: APHSA does not endorse any of the listed services. This information is supplied for convenience only.
Arrive by Car
Atlantis Resort
Self-parking: free daily parking for guests
Peppermill Resort
Self-parking: free daily parking for guests
Arrive by Taxi or Rideshare Services
Estimated taxi fares:
From RNO airport, between $7-15
Estimated rideshare rates:
$14-22 for Uber; $12-20 for Lyft
Arrive by Mass Transportation
Registration Now Open
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
This year’s registration fees, payment information, and cancellation policies will soon be announced. Return to this page to check for updates.
2025 Registration Fees | Before Sept. 17 | After Sept. 17 |
---|---|---|
Government Member: Full Conference* | $875.00 | $975.00 |
Government Non-Member: Full Conference* | $1,000.00 | $1,100.00 |
Private Sector Member: Full Conference* | $1,155.00 | $1,255.00 |
Private Sector Non-Member: Full Conference* | $1,250.00 | $1,365.00 |
One Day: Sunday | $610.00 | $710.00 |
One Day: Sunday with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $710.00 | $810.00 |
One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day | $710.00 | $810.00 |
One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $810.00 | $910.00 |
One Day Non-Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day | $810.00 | $910.00 |
One Day Non-Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day, with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $910.00 | $1,010.00 |
One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day, with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $200.00 | $250.00 |
Guests (receptions and meals only) | $395.00 | $395.00 |
2025 Sponsor Registration Fees | Before Sept. 17 | After Sept. 17 |
---|---|---|
Sponsor Personnel Registrations | $800.00 | $900.00 |
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!
To obtain the registration discount code and detailed information, please use PHSA25 as the discount code. 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 Wednesday, September 17, 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.
Need Help or Have Questions?
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.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
APHSA conferences are underwritten in part by Strategic Industry Partners.
2025 All-Conference Sponsors
2025 PHSA Sponsors
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