Policy & Practice | Spring 2024

staff spotlight

Name: Rebekah Sides Title: Policy Associate, Social and Economic Mobility Time at APHSA: I find it hard to believe it’s been just a year and a half! Priorities at APHSA: I serve as

industrial-organizational psychology from Xavier University and began working as a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting associate. I went on to design a workforce devel opment program model for people exiting incarceration seeking jobs in a hospital system and then to serve as the acting director of an addiction-treatment program. I thank God for the many brilliant colleagues and mentors I’ve learned from in each of these roles. What I Can Do for Our Members: I try to listen carefully and respond to our members—whether it’s understanding new legislation that’s been signed into law, commenting on a proposed rule, or making sense of new data reporting forms. I work closely with my team at APHSA to equip our members to nimbly respond to developments in federal policy related to social and economic mobility. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at rsides@aphsa.org. When Not Working: I like to keep busy after work; I sing in a local choir, am a member of the Cincinnati Junior League, and am actively involved at my church. Some nights you’ll find me reading, writing, practicing yoga, or painting—I’m an amateur water colorist. Getting outside is the highlight of any day for me, no matter the weather. Whenever we’re able, my partner and I enjoy sunrise walks or runs in our neighborhood. Motto to Live By: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou

APHSA’s primary analyst for federal policy initiatives for TANF, SNAP E&T, workforce development programs, and other basic income support and career readiness programs that promote social and economic mobility. In the past year, I’ve been closely tracking Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 implementation, the 2023 TANF Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and the Farm Bill. I serve as the staff liaison to the National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA) affinity group and related peer learning communities. I also support development and implementation of related grant-funded initiatives like the Aligning Economic Supports Working Group and serve on the planning committee of APHSA’s Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference. Life Before APHSA: I’ve always felt drawn to jobs that aim to empower people or increase their access to well-being. After graduating from Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, I worked as an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist for children with autism, and then an English as a Foreign Language teacher for elemen tary students in South Korea. After two rich years in Busan, I moved to Cincinnati, OH to earn my master’s degree in

Name: Natalie Williams Title: Chief Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer Time at APHSA: I have worked at APHSA for a total of 3.5 years, with 1.5 years in my current role.

campaign for well-being as the Director of the Wellbeing Blueprint.

What I Can Do for Our Members: My role is to support innovation and understanding for equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging among our members and partners. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at nwilliams@aphsa.org. When Not Working: When I am not working, I am a mother to two teenagers and building community through civic and philanthropic organizations. Motto to Live By: Dream big and believe anything is possible.

Priorities at APHSA: Anything and everything related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Life Before APHSA: I spent 12 years at Jefferson County Human Services in Jefferson County, CO, focused on employee engagement and organizational strategy. Most recently I helped to advance a national

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