Policy & Practice | Fall 2023

staff spotlight

Name: Christine Johnson Title: Assistant Director, Policy Time at APHSA: I joined APHSA in January 2023. Priorities at APHSA: My priori ties at APHSA are to translate the needs

My career in human services has spanned the areas of youth aging out of foster care, the opioid epidemic, human services policy, collective impact, and community action. What I Can Do for Our Members: I think the impact I can have on our members is to help be a part of the connective tissue between their work as leaders in human services agencies and giving voice to the issues at hand through our work with Congress, national partners, and each other. In this way we can elevate, and collectively create solutions to their most pressing needs in serving the most vulnerable in their communities. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at cjohnson@aphsa.org. When Not Working: I can be found outdoors, foraging for wild mushrooms, traveling, or learning how to be an empty nester having just launched my twins to college in August. Motto to Live By: “The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” examining and developing prevention policy and programs in juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, and substance use. What I Can Do for Our Members: I help lead APHSA’s communities of practice for concrete and economic supports for child welfare prevention and system alignment for young families. In these groups, members can connect with and learn from other states and counties doing similar work to better understand how to implement change at the ground level and what practical steps are needed to overcome challenges and make the most of opportunities. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at klee@aphsa.org. When Not Working: I am traveling, cooking, or relaxing outside at the park or beach. Motto to Live By: Just do it.

of our members into actionable policy strategies to assist their work at the system level informed by the perspectives of people with lived experience and a lens of equity, diver sity, inclusion, and belonging through which we develop our policy. Life Before APHSA: Prior to joining APHSA I worked for the State of Vermont in a variety of roles, most recently as an Operations Director for the Economic Services Division of the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Prior to that I was the Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont DCF Family Services Division with over sight of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Name: Kapria Lee Title: Project Associate, Child and Family Well-Being Time at APHSA: I joined APHSA in November 2022. Priorities at APHSA: I work to

support a few projects, like the System Alignment for Young Families project, which focuses on improving coordina tion and collaboration across human services programs to support young parents. I also support child care and child welfare prevention work through other projects. Life Before APHSA: I was a legislative/policy analyst for the Virginia legislature analyzing state policies, systems, and agencies to develop funding, regulatory, policy, and agency level recommendations for the General Assembly. My previous experience was in various roles

Policy & Practice Fall 2023 48