Policy & Practice | Summer 2026

staff spotlight Life Before APHSA: Prior to joining APHSA, I spent more than 20 years leading initiatives across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sectors. My career included work force development, grantmaking, program operations, communications, and federal technical assistance. I’ve managed grant portfolios, led cross-sector partnerships, developed training and technical assistance resources, and helped organizations improve outcomes for communities. What I Can Do for Our Members: I enjoy helping members identify promising practices, solve chal lenges, and share actionable strategies. Whether developing tools, facilitating learning opportunities, or connecting communities with resources, I’m always happy to collabo rate and support solutions across human services. Best Way to Reach Me: You can reach me via email at mmassie@aphsa.org. When Not Working: You’ll usually find me spending time with my daughter, leading my Girl Scout troop, enjoying the outdoors, reading, or volunteering in my school community. Motto to Live By: Sankofa—“Go back and get it!” A charge to pay due regard to the lessons and practices of the past and to draw on them to inform the present and the future. frontline worker, he advanced through supervisory and leadership roles to become Director of the Floyd County Department of Social Services, later serving as Director of Virginia’s Division of Family Services and now Deputy Commissioner of Human Services. His influence extends well beyond Virginia. As Senior Director of Strategic Consulting at Casey Family Programs, he helped drive transformative child welfare reforms in Pennsylvania and New Mexico, demonstrating his ability to foster meaningful systems change across diverse jurisdictions. Today, Ayers continues to shape the national human services landscape as Board Chair of the Child Welfare League of America, where he is a trusted voice for family preservation, kinship care, and collaborative system reform. Colleagues across the country recognize him not only for his strategic vision but also for his dedication to mentoring others, cultivating leadership, encouraging innovation, and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.

Ayers’ impact is especially evident in his commitment to family-centered system design. He has helped remove barriers to kinship care, establish sustainable financial and service supports for caregivers, and build infrastruc ture that strengthens families while reducing reliance on foster care. He also led the development of the Virginia Children’s Services Practice Model, a workforce-driven framework that translates organizational values into mea surable, outcome-focused expectations and continues to shape practice across the state. “For more than two decades, Carl has been a tireless advocate for children, families and communities, helping to shape a child welfare system that is more responsive, family-centered, and focused on lasting outcomes. His lead ership has strengthened services across Virginia and the nation, and we are grateful for his service,” said Duke Storen, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services. Ayers’ leadership journey reflects a career dedicated to learning, collaboration, and innovation. Starting as a

Name: Michelle Massie Title: Senior Grant Initiative Manager

Time at APHSA: I joined APHSA at the end of May. Within weeks, I was attending the APHSA National Human Services Summit, meeting members

and partners from across the country, preparing for my first Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference, and seeing firsthand the incredible work our members do every day. It has been an exciting start, and I’m looking forward to building on this momentum. Priorities at APHSA: As Senior Grant Initiative Manager, I oversee the implementation and management of APHSA’s H.R. 1 grant portfolio, working closely with state human services agencies and national partners to ensure resources are deployed strategically, efficiently, and in alignment with requirements. My role includes guiding grant implementation, fostering collaboration, maintaining relationships, monitoring performance, supporting compli ance, and helping grantees turn funding into measurable outcomes for children, families, and communities. I am passionate about ensuring these historic investments reach the communities with the greatest needs and create lasting opportunities for people to thrive.

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