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
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 ...
Leveraging Data to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes
On May 28th 2025, the National Governors Association Children and Families team hosted the monthly meeting of the Human Services Policy Advisors Institute (HSPAI), featuring a presentation from the Center ...
Improving State and Territory Procurement Processes
Procurement can be one of the largest barriers to progress that a Governor could face in their tenure: contracting and procurement can be as large a contributor to initiative success ...
Liability Insurance for Child Care and Early Learning Programs
On March 26rd, the National Governors Association Children and Families team hosted the monthly meeting of the Human Services Policy Advisors Institute (Human Services Advisors Network), featuring the National Association ...
H5N1 Avian Flu Emergency Preparedness and Response
On Tuesday, February 25, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices hosted a State and Territorial Leader Advisor Call, where attendees learned more about current H5N1 trends from the ...
Combatting SNAP Fraud
On December 18th, the National Governors Association Children and Families team hosted the monthly Human Services Policy Advisors Institute with the American Public Human Services Association, Arkansas, and Michigan, where ...
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
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 ...
State Strategies for School-Based Mental Health Services
As part of the 2024 Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health, the National Governors Association supported the development of a Youth Advisory Council, where the six state teams ...
NGA Hosts Webinar with First Lady Jennie Gordon, Highlights Strategic Partnerships First Spouses Form to Advance Initiatives
On May 16, NGA’s Health Equity Learning Network held a webinar focused on ways states and territories can address food insecurity through nutrition programs. The webinar featured remarks from Wyoming ...
Of the Youth, For the Youth, By the Youth: A Governor’s Guide for Incorporating Youth Voice into Policymaking
As states and territories across the country work to address the challenges that many youth face related to their mental health and wellbeing, Governors can engage youth themselves to drive ...
Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery
In 2024 the NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector), launched a Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP ...
Food is Medicine: Making Nutritious Food Accessible to All
To help commemorate National Public Health Week 2025, this publication is part of a series that explores policies, programs and considerations to improve population health. An individual’s wellness, or state ...
Addressing The Link Between Trauma And Addiction
Given the variety of influential factors and the significant plasticity of the brain and behavior during child development, there are many opportunities to prevent adversity in childhood, disrupt the development ...
SUN Bucks Basics for Governors: A Summer EBT Program Primer
The Summer EBT program could significantly impact childhood food insecurity during the critical summer months when food insecurity often peaks. By learning from peers who have successfully navigated funding and ...
2024 Health and Human Services Policy Advisors Institute
The National Governors Association (NGA) welcomed Governors' advisors and policy leaders from thirty-two states and five territories to the annual Health and Human Services (HHS) Policy Advisors Institute, August 28-29, ...
National Governors Association and Third Sector Select Four States to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery
WASHINGTON – The National Governors Association (NGA) and Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector) selected Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, and North Carolina to participate in the Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP ...