Human Services Policy Advisors Institute
The Human Services Policy Advisors Institute is a series of monthly calls that bring together governors’ policy advisors and state leaders from social services and children and family-serving agencies to share innovations and best practices for serving the complex needs of children and families. This network serves as a monthly check-in for updates, content, peer-to-peer exchanges, and networking; this call series is the Children and Families Program’s primary space for convening policy advisors to discuss multidisciplinary policy considerations.
The Human Services Policy Advisors Institute is a series of monthly calls that bring together governors’ policy advisors and state leaders from social services and children and family-serving agencies to share innovations and best practices for serving the complex needs of children and families. This network serves as a monthly check-in for updates, content, peer-to-peer exchanges, and networking; this call series is the Children and Families Program’s primary space for convening policy advisors to discuss multidisciplinary policy considerations.
Members
Governors’ policy advisors with human services-related portfolios. Most commonly, this role is housed within the Governor’s office; however, personnel from state agencies such as human services, child welfare, and early childhood education may also join.
Activities
- Monthly call series
- State-specific technical assistance available on an ad hoc basis
- Consultation on NGA published materials
HSPAI Sessions
State and Territory Nutrition Priorities for 2026
As 2026 kicks off, new federal announcements are changing the landscape on state and territory efforts to increase access to affordable, healthy foods. From new federal dietary guidelines to waivers, and progress toward improved ...
A Home for Every Child – Administration for Children and Families Child Welfare Spotlight
On December 17th, 2025, the National Governors Association (NGA) hosted a conversation with the Human Services Policy Advisors network to connect on child welfare policy issues and spotlighted the Administration ...
Human Services Pain Points During the Federal Government Shutdown: Lessons Learned
States and Territories faced significant challenges during the 43-day federal government shutdown, especially in continuing to operate and deliver in the human services space. Delayed benefit delivery to the Low-Income ...
Strengthening the Mental Health Continuum for High-Acuity Youth
On August 28th, NGA hosted the monthly meeting of the Human Services Advisors Institute, which featured presentations on supporting youth with high acuity needs. The discussion focused on how Governors ...
Proposed Federal Funding Changes to State and Territory Early Childhood Care and Education Systems
On July 23rd, NGA hosted the monthly meeting of the Human Services Advisors Network, which featured presentations on collateral repercussions impacting states’ human services programs, with special attention to early ...
Cultivating Consensus in Human Services
It's critical for Governors and human services leaders to navigate complex issues, especially when political tension feels high. In some scenarios, successful implementation can rely more on framing and relationship ...
Please contact Jess Kirchner (jkirchner@nga.org) with any questions about the network.
Our Focus Areas
- Whole-family Approaches to Serving Children and Families
- Early Childhood Education and Care
- Juvenile Justice
- Human Services Data and Delivery Systems
- Housing and Homelessness
- Food Insecurity and Hunger
- Family Economic Security
- Anti-Poverty Solutions
- Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption
- Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
- Empowering Families and Communities
- Reducing Barriers to Opportunity and Equity
Meet the Team
- Jordan Hynes, Program Director
- Jess Kirchner, Policy Analyst
- Eli McCabe, Policy Analyst
- Ekaan Ahmad, Policy Coordinator
NGA Resources
States Sound Alarm over Ongoing SNAP Threats
Governors and coalition of local, county, state organizations urge Congressional fix Washington, D.C. – Changes in funding policies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), combined with disruptions caused by ...
Local, State Coalition Presses Congress for Urgent SNAP Fix
Officials on the frontlines of SNAP benefits administration across the nation are warning Congress about a little-known legislative provision with a huge impact on state budgets – an impact supercharged ...
State Leadership: Governors Work to Sustain Food Assistance
Governors and their teams stepped up to provide crucial support and safeguard the well-being of their communities during the 43 days of the 2025 federal shutdown. The shutdown demonstrated Governors’ ...
NGA Joins Coalition Letter Outlining SNAP Recommendations
(Download) The Honorable Mike JohnsonSpeakerU.S. House of Representatives The Honorable Hakeem JeffriesMinority LeaderU.S. House of Representatives The Honorable John ThuneMajority LeaderU.S. Senate The Honorable Chuck SchumerMinority LeaderU.S. Senate Dear Speaker ...
Mapping the Early Childhood Education Ecosystem
The 2025 Governors’ Education Policy Advisors Institute featured a panel conversation on lessons learned and best practices for mapping state and territory early care and education ecosystems (ECE). State and ...
NGA HHS Institute 2025: Making Innovative Tech Work for Health & Human Services
Governors are looking to drive cost- and time-efficient solutions that mitigate workforce strain and improve seamless service delivery but navigating the universe of available products while balancing procurement requirements with ...
NGA HHS Institute 2025: Navigating SNAP Implementation Post-Reconciliation
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed H.R. 1, which contained several programmatic changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including the introduction of a new benefit cost-share penalty, ...
2025 Core Advisory Board
Each year, a small group of governors’ human services policy advisors and agency leaders are selected to provide critical input and feedback on the structure and content of the NGA ...
Key Takeaways: SNAP Quality Control Continuum Briefing
On October 10, NGA hosted a call on the SNAP Quality Control Continuum as part of its SNAP 101 series to build awareness of SNAP operations and protocol, given the new ...
National Governors Association and Third Sector Select Four States to Enhance SNAP Employment & Training Programs
WASHINGTON – The National Governors Association (NGA) and Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector) have selected Idaho, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina to take part in the 2025 Policy ...
Governors’ Perspectives on Addressing Child Care Needs: Supply and Demand Trends to Watch
Opportunities abound for state-led solutions, and Governors continue to take up the mantle by continuing to prioritize increasing the availability of early care and education. (Download) Ten years ago, Governors’ ...
Lessons Learned from the NGA Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing
This report expands upon findings from the Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and provides guidance and insight to Governors and other state and territory policymakers ...