History
To help celebrate APHSA’s 90th anniversary, we looked back at the entirety of our history as a member association, digging into archives and pulling out some important threads and markers. The following highlights commemorate just some of the work of those who have come before us—whose vision, time, and energy shaped what APHSA and human services are today. You can also read more in Looking Back to Accelerate Moving Forward: Charting Our Next Course.
1930-31
APWA Begins as an Idea
The American Public Welfare Association (APWA) began as an idea at a National Conference of Social Welfare (NCSW) meeting. APWA held its first meeting in June 1930, as the effects of the Great Depression on the national economy became evident. L.A. Halbert, Director of Rhode Island’s Department of Institutions, is the first Board President.
1935
Eleanor Roosevelt Visits
President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act with APWA members at the signing ceremony.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt spoke at APWA National Roundtable and became a regular attendee over the next several years.
1939
National Roundtable
1940
The National Council of State Public Assistance and Welfare Administrators and the National Council of Local Public Welfare Administrators are established.
1941
APWA Helps Define Public Welfare Role
APWA helped clarify and define the role of public welfare in emergency war times.
Early 1950’s
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is Established
Social Security Act Amendments were passed, and APWA members were informed.
APWA supports the establishment of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (predecessor to HHS).
1955
Celebrating 25 Years
The National Biennial Round Table Conference took place in Washington, DC, celebrating its 25th anniversary.
1962-64
APWA Participates in White House and Congressional Task Forces
APWA serves on White House and Congressional task forces, and these efforts contributed to the Public Welfare Amendments of 1962 and the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
1974
APWA Focuses on the Future
The APWA Board of Directors holds a critical working conference to discuss the association’s future. This gathering results in a nine-point plan that, among other things, focuses on state and local agencies as the primary constituency and encourages the formation of administrative and program specialists, which led to today’s APHSA Affinity Groups.
Office Moves to Washington, D.C.
APWA relocates its offices from Chicago, IL, to Washington, D.C., to concentrate on social reform policy.
1975
Northeast Regional Conference
1977-78
First Black President of APWA
Steven Minter, Program Officer for the Cleveland Foundation, serves as the first Black President of APWA.
1977
National Roundtable
1978
Measuring Poverty Debate
1978
National Roundtable
1980
Looking Ahead at 50 Years
APWA celebrates its 50th anniversary at the National Round Table Conference in Washington, D.C., which is focused on the future of public welfare.
National Roundtable
Late 1980’s
“A Matter of Commitment” Launches
APWA launches “A Matter of Commitment,” a three-year project to reassess the nation’s commitment to low-income families. The 1986 report, One Child in Four, sparked a national policy debate around child poverty that resulted in the enactment of the Family Support Act in 1988.
1988
APWA established the National Commission on Child Welfare, which created guidelines and standards for agencies assessing child protective services.
1990’s
1993
APWA’s publication Public Welfare celebrates 50 years as a professional journal covering public welfare policy. Public Welfare would later become our current publication, Policy & Practice.
1994-95
APWA unveils a bi-partisan plan for public welfare reform, calling for expanded job training and work, improved health coverage, and streamlined program administration—sparking a robust debate on the best way forward.
1996-97
APWA helps state and local human service agencies in implementing welfare reform through shared learning and training.
1998
APWA changed its name to what it remains today, the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), recognizing the much broader human service agenda it was addressing.
2000’s
2001-02
APHSA publishes Crossroads: New Directions in Social Policy, laying out a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to present to the Bush Administration and Congress that highlighted reforms to improve efficiency, serve with dignity, and promote independence to beneficiaries of human services. More than a dozen recommendations from this document were signed into law that year.
2003
In the Senate Finance Committee’s welfare reform bill, more than 20 APHSA recommendations were signed into law. In addition, the association continued to facilitate discussion and provide services to administrators in the human service field.
2005
Crossroads II was published to encourage additional policy reforms in human services programs, including Medicaid, child welfare, mental health, aging, long-term care, and programs for persons with disabilities.
2009
APHSA presents its latest policy recommendations, Focal Point: Unity of Purpose, as President Obama takes office.
2010
First Harvard Human Services Summit held in conjunction with APHSA’s Leadership Retreat. This event led to the introduction of the Human Service Value Curve and sparked the use of this new framework for advancing the impact of human services in communities.
2011
Pathways: The Opportunities Ahead for Human Services developed with APHSA state, local, and Affinity Group leaders—setting a vision for transformation in the field to meet increased demand at tight budgets and heightened expectations for effective outcomes for children and families.
2013-16
APHSA’s National Collaborative for the Integration of Health and Human Services plays a critical role in advancing the interoperability of states’ technology systems.
2016
APHSA publishes its report, Creating a Modern and Responsive Health and Human Services System, to federal policymakers in anticipation of the Presidential transition; the report provides guiding principles, policy priorities, and helpful tools for advancing social and economic mobility for families.
2018
APHSA unveils its Strategic Playbook, the guidebook for the association’s action plan for the next five years. Informed by members, partners, and staff, the Playbook displays a collective commitment to advancing the potential of all people in all places and illuminates the shared belief of leaders across the country that health and human services are a cornerstone to building thriving communities.
2019
APHSA issues a Call to Action for Human Services to Advance Race Equity, committing to work in alignment with state and local leaders to address the root causes of racial disparities through policy and practice. At this time, APHSA also incorporates a race equity lens into the Strategic Playbook.
2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic sends shockwaves through every facet of human services systems, APHSA steps up to the challenge to help state and local agencies weather the storm together.
APHSA’s latest policy framework, Cornerstone for Resilient Communities and a Revitalized Economy: The Role of Human Services in Building Well-Being from the Ground Up, is released amid a Presidential transition. Setting forth why human services sit at the cornerstone for resilient communities and a revitalized economy, APHSA draws from the on-the-ground expertise of members to share how federal policymakers can help meet the most pressing needs while laying the necessary tracks for all communities to thrive.
2022
APHSA celebrates 90+ years, and the National Health and Human Services Summit meets together for the first time in Arlington, VA, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
… Our journey continues!