Policy and Practice | August 2022

editor’s note By Jessica Garon

Moving Forward in the New Normal I t is hard to believe it’s been almost two and a half years since I first

in this new normal, there are many opportunities for the pandemic to serve as a catalyst for change and innovation. Recently, we were fortunate to hear from members, partners, and friends about many of these opportunities during our 2022 National Health and Human Services Summit—the first in person Summit in two years, making it an amazing occasion to reconnect, recharge, and learn from one another. In the pages ahead, you will find two special features that came out of our time together at the Summit. On page 20, APHSA President and CEO Tracy Wareing Evans shares her remarks from the Summit’s opening session, which highlighted and celebrated our past 90 years as an association. By reflecting on our past, we have the

chance to pave new and improved paths forward. And on page 16, APHSA Policy Associate Chloe Green, and our friends at Mathematica, reflect on the unique opportunity to deepen our col lective understanding of the ways in which human services and environ mental justice intersect and what that means in our pursuit of a more equi table future for all. We hope to connect, reenergize, and continue learning from one another at our remaining upcoming events this year (see below). In the meantime, you can continue learning from our resilient network of members and partners in the stories that follow, and I also invite you to be in touch (via jgaron@aphsa.org ) if you, too, have a story of your own to share. Be well and see you soon!

mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic in our April 2020 issue and how it was impacting you—our members and partners—as well as other front-line workers, essential businesses, and communities as a whole. Times were uncertain and I don’t think any of us would have guessed how long the road ahead would be—or how bumpy! However, with the unexpected came new perspectives and realizations, adaptable solutions, and unyielding drive. We saw the health and human services field (amongst many others) bend without breaking, doing all they could to support and strengthen the communities they serve in a new normal. And as we nowmove forward

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August 2022 Policy&Practice