Policy and Practice | August 2022

supporting the Association’s effort to move the field upstreamwhile simul taneously ensuring it effectively meets the needs of children and families who are in the child welfare system. Poole has been a steward and champion of APHSA’s Call to Action to Advance Race Equity, helping child welfare direc tors across the country proactively examine what must be done to apply a race equity lens to the work and take concrete action to eliminate structural inequities and bias in the system. Ann Flagg, Senior Director of Policy and Practice at APHSA, said, “She is one of the first to call with an offer of help when there is a new crisis or emergency facing the nation. She offers practical solutions and pushes us to bold, innovative thinking.” The Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize an indi vidual’s lifetime contributions to the field of health and human services that have a lasting impact on people and communities well beyond their tenure. The recipients of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Awards are Brenda Donald (not pictured) and Michael Gargano . Donald is currently the Executive Director of the District of Columbia (DC) Housing Authority, but her public service spans more than three decades. She has led the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) on multiple occasions, served as the city’s Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, contributed to building evidence-based practices across the nation while at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, led child welfare and workforce development reforms as the Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Human Resources, and served the City of Little Rock, AR, as Assistant City Manager. Donald has also served in multiple volunteer lead ership roles within APHSA, including as interim Chair of the Executive Governing Board during an impor tant time of transition. Her practical, concrete ideas and strategic activism helped guide the Association’s way forward for many years. Gargano is the former Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). His career of service and commitment to health

Nearly one in three Hoosiers became Medicaid recipients, SNAP grew by 300 percent, as did TANF. Provision of the Child Care and Development Fund became the bedrock of keeping the child care system open. All the work he had done pre-pandemic to build a nimble and data-driven human services program came to fruition as he oversaw a seamless and successful implementation of the state’s integrated eligibility system as well as the continu ation of progressive work in reforming long-term care. The Jerry W. Friedman Health and Human Services Impact Award was established in 2016 in honor of Friedman, former APHSA Executive Director, and a dedicated and pas sionate leader whose legacy continues to be felt throughout the health and human services system. The recipient of the 2022 Jerry W. Friedman Health and Human Services Impact Award is David Hansell . Over the past four decades, Hansell , current Senior Policy Advisor of Child Welfare at Casey Family Programs, and former Commissioner of New York City Administration for Children’s Services, has embodied what it means to be a steward of the public good. He has heeded the call to service in the most challenging circumstances, whether during an economic recession, a crisis at the border, a child welfare system in peril, or a global pandemic. With a clear line of sight on enabling the conditions for children and families to thrive, he tackles any challenge before him with grace, determination, and a commitment to getting at root causes. From social and economic supports, to refugees and child welfare, Hansell has touched the lives of millions of people across the country while inspiring others to do the same. As a long-standing champion of APHSA, currently serving as the Immediate Past Chair of the Executive Governing Board, Hansell helps guide the Association with both his inspiring vision and ability to execute. Tracy Wareing Evans, President and CEO of APHSA, shared, “I can’t imagine navigating the past few years without David’s wise counsel and support. He is a true friend to all who encounter him and inspires us to lead boldly.”

Pakseresht

Gargano

Hansell

and human services spans multiple decades—serving both directly in the public sector and in support of the sector from the private industry. While there are countless examples of Gargano’s lasting impact in the field, in many ways it can be summed up through his tenure over the past two years. In March of 2020, Michael took the reins of FSSA as acting Secretary. During this time, he oversaw the largest and fastest growth in human services in Indiana’s history.

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