Policy and Practice | December 2022

staff spotlight

Name: Mary Goble Title: Senior Policy Associate, Knowledge Mobilization Time at APHSA: I joined APHSA in April 2022. Priorities at APHSA: At APHSA, I support a large national grant to advance family economic mobility through peer learning exchanges. I also develop strategies to advance the knowledge products generated by these learning exchanges and support other policy initiatives in the planning and information dissemination stages. Life Before APHSA: Before joining APHSA, I spent eight years as an educator specializing in inclusive inte grated curriculum, wraparound service coordination for students and their families, and student advocacy. I eventu ally transitioned to nonprofit leadership, serving for three

years as the Director of Development and Strategy at a small literacy organization where I led community outreach initia tives, strategic planning, and organizational development. What I Can Do for Our Members: For our members, I can find creative ways to amplify and showcase their innovations and connect them with peers and resources to help them address challenges as they seek to better support children and families. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at mgoble@aphsa.org. When Not Working: When I’m not at work, I love to travel, cook, and spoil my senior rescue dog. Motto to Live By: When you can’t calm the storm, be a harbor.

ASSOCIATION NEWS continued from page 31

of the established classroom training were reimagined to support complete virtual learning so that eligibility workers and employment services spe cialists could onboard successfully. AAHHSA Recognizes Integrity, Courage, and Compassion The American Association of Health and Human Services Attorneys (AAHHSA), an affinity group of APHSA presented the Thomas J. Blazusiak Memorial Award to Stacie Kraly, Division Director of the Alaska Department of Law Civil Division during the 2022 AAHHSA Education Conference in Columbus, OH. The Blazusiak Memorial Award is presented to a person who is active in developing and/or supporting improved legislation and public policy pertaining to the administration of public welfare, supports inclusiveness and innovation in the discussion and exchange of information in the area of public welfare law, demonstrates

significant improvement in under standing unconscious bias. The Technology Innovation Award celebrates the achievement of a product or program that, through technology, elevates the quality of services offered within a public agency. The 2022 award recipient is the San Bernadino County Performance, Education, and Resource Center. This office responded to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and devel oped an innovative Virtual Onboarding training program. While ensuring the same learning quality and student success as in-person instruction, the 100 percent online instruction program con sidered accommodations, technology and equipment needs, and instructor roles. They combined components from in-person and virtual learning to ensure that all types of learners were accom modated. The virtual platform offers students the unique ability to re-review materials via lesson downloads and session recordings, something that in person training did not offer. All aspects

strong leadership qualities within their field of work, and serves as a role model and mentor for others. The recipient of this award is a person of integrity, courage, and compassion. Kraly was nominated by her peers as she exemplifies the highest ideals as a public servant in the legal field. Her legal career started in 1993 in public service. Following six years in private practice, Kraly joined the Alaska Department of Law in June 2000 and was appointed Chief Assistant Attorney General of the Human Services Section in 2005. In January 2022, she was promoted to Division Director for the Alaska Department of Law, Civil Division. In presenting the award, Karen Barber, AAHHSA Chair, stated, “Stacie has provided significant contributions to public welfare law and policy throughout her continued, impressive career. She embodies the very dedication and commitment for children and families that Tom Blazusiak represented and for which this award is named.”

Policy&Practice December 2022 36