Policy & Practice | Summer 2026

implementation, ensuring that clients could transition to the new technology with minimal disruption. Throughout the project’s development and implementa tion, CDSS and OTSI worked closely with stakeholders, advocacy organizations, counties, and community partners to ensure the solution reflected the needs and experiences of the people it serves. By prioritizing both security and usability, the agencies strengthened confidence in the public benefits system while protecting access to essential supports. The California EBT Card Security Modernization Project has implications far beyond the state. By establishing a scalable model for secure EBT transactions, California has helped create a pathway for broader adoption of Chip/Tap technology nationwide and laid the groundwork for future innovations, including mobile wallet integration and other modern payment capabilities. This achievement reflects the dedication of teams across multiple organizations who worked tirelessly over several years to bring the project to fruition. Their collective efforts have not only reduced theft and improved outcomes for Californians but have also estab lished a new benchmark for innovation and collaboration in public service delivery.

Jerry W. Friedman Human Services Impact Award Carl Ayers, Deputy Commissioner of Human Services for the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) , received the 2026 Jerry W. Friedman Human Services Impact Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership and enduring contributions to advancing human services systems that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. APHSA established the award in 2016 to honor the legacy of former APHSA Executive Director Jerry W. Friedman, whose work centered on ensuring all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant, lasting contributions to the human services sector by advancing integrated, human-centered systems of service delivery. With more than 27 years in public child welfare and human services, Ayers exemplifies the adaptive leader- ship, innovation, and commitment to continuous improve ment that defined Friedman’s career. Throughout his service at the local, state, and national levels, Ayers has consistently championed family-centered approaches that strengthen communities while transforming the systems that support them. As VDSS Deputy Commissioner, Ayers oversees Family Services, Benefit Programs, Local Engagement and Support, Training, and Continuous Quality Improvement, aligning policy, practice, and performance within a cohesive, person-focused continuum of care. His leader ship has driven major cross-system innovations, including The scale and complexity of the effort required unprec edented collaboration across state and federal agencies, financial institutions, retailers, payment processors, and technology partners. Together, they modernized transac tion systems, established new standards for secure EBT transactions, and successfully issued more than four million new cards, while minimizing disruption for clients. “This was a trailblazing project, years in the making through a dedicated EBT card security team. We also want to thank the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, EBT proces sors, financial institutions, and retailers for the partnerships to establish the SNAP EBT Chip/Tap standards we imple mented, setting the foundation for the nation’s securing of EBT transactions,” shared Brandon Hansard, Chief Deputy Director of CalHHS OTSI. Beyond strengthening security, the project improved the experience of both clients and frontline staff. Families have greater confidence that their benefits will be available when they need them most, while county caseworkers spend less time processing theft claims and more time supporting individuals and families. The initiative was designed with a strong focus on accessibility, trust, and seamless

the rapid deployment of the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) initiative, which protected food access for more than 850,000 Virginians, and Virginia’s nationally recognized implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act, securing historic investments in prevention and strengthening supports that help families remain safely together. Reggie Bicha (left), President & CEO, APHSA, with Carl Ayers (center), Impact Award Recipient, with presenter Grace Hou (right), Deputy Governor, Health and Human Services, State of Illinois, and Chair of the APHSA Executive Governing Board.

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