The 77th Annual Human Services Finance Officers (HSFO) Conference provides an opportunity for leaders to explore how financial decisions shape program operations, service delivery, and long-term organizational priorities. Public Knowledge® will join the HSFO community in Washington, D.C., for this year’s event.
Human services organizations are navigating changing requirements while continuing to meet growing expectations. Finance leaders often sit at the center of those efforts, helping organizations balance immediate needs with long-term goals. We look forward to participating in discussions throughout the conference and sharing perspectives drawn from our work across human services programs.
Driving Impact at Hospitality Night
Monday, August 10 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
After a full day at the conference, join Public Knowledge® for mini golf and conversation. It’s a chance to relax, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy some friendly competition away from the meeting rooms.
Join PK at These Conference Sessions
Monday, August 10
Strengthening Your CFO Leadership Capabilities
11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Presented by Doug Swisher and Stacey Moss
Effective financial leadership requires more than technical expertise. This session explores leadership styles, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and practical ways CFOs can strengthen their impact.
Adoption Savings in Child Welfare
3:00–3:50 p.m.
Presented by Doug Swisher and Rebecca Reagan
States can reinvest Title IV-E adoption savings to support child welfare priorities. This session reviews savings calculation methods, Applicable Child eligibility, and reinvestment considerations.
Tuesday, August 11
From Onboarding to Succession: Strengthening Fiscal Team Capacity
10:30–11:20 a.m.
Presented by Doug Swisher and Stacey Moss
Fiscal teams need clear onboarding, strong retention strategies, and practical succession planning. This session explores ways to reduce burnout, build readiness, and strengthen team capacity.
State Progress on ACF’s A Home for Every Child Initiative
10:30–11:20 a.m.
Presented by Elizabeth Black, Jamie Scheiter, Dr. Brandynicole Brooks, and Kenya Gatlin
This session will explore state progress on ACF’s A Home for Every Child initiative, including strategies to increase placement capacity, support permanency, and strengthen outcomes for children and families.
Using Evidence and Financing in Child Welfare to Improve Outcomes
2:30–3:20 p.m.
Presented by Elizabeth Black, Doug Swisher, and Jennifer Haight
This session examines how evidence and financing strategies can help child welfare agencies direct resources toward services and interventions that improve outcomes.
Performance-Based Contracting in Child Welfare – Incentivizing Outcomes
3:30–4:45 p.m.
Presented by Elizabeth Black, Doug Swisher, Dr. Sarah Hurley, and Sasha Wildfong
Performance-based contracting helps agencies connect funding to outcomes. This session explores how child welfare leaders can define success, set accountability measures, and structure contracts that support better results.
Wednesday, August 12
Tech-Enabled Public Finance: Automation, AI Governance, and Team Design
10:45–11:35 a.m.
Presented by Doug Swisher and Stacey Moss
Technology is changing public finance operations. This session explores how automation, AI governance, and team design can help fiscal leaders modernize workflows while maintaining oversight and accountability.
State Panel Discussion: EBP Program Leaders – Financing Evidence-Based Prevention Programs
2:00–2:50 p.m.
Presented by Elizabeth Black, Doug Swisher, Dr. Sarah Hurley, and Lisa Rich
This panel will highlight agency and fiscal perspectives on evidence-based programs, funding decisions, implementation, and cross-team collaboration.
Cross-Program Integration: Child Welfare, Medicaid, and Public Health
3:00–3:50 p.m.
Presented by Stacey Moss, Doug Swisher, Alex Mayer, and Catherine Smith
Human services challenges often cross program boundaries. This session explores opportunities to align child welfare, Medicaid, and public health work through shared goals, coordinated funding, and stronger collaboration.
Thursday, August 13
Issues Implementing FFPSA: Evidence-Based Programs and the Ability to Claim for Them
2:00–2:50 p.m.
Presented by Doug Swisher and Rebecca Reagan
This session explores common barriers to implementing FFPSA evidence-based programs and claiming reimbursement, including documentation, cost allocation, and claiming readiness.
Connect With PK at HSFO
Stacey Moss, JD, CWLS, PMP
- 25+ years of experience helping public sector leaders navigate complex challenges, align strategy with execution, and drive organizational results.
- Trusted advisor on organizational change, leadership development, and transformation initiatives across health and human services.
Doug Swisher, CPA
- 30+ years of experience in government finance, including serving as CFO and Chief Budget Officer for Tennessee’s child welfare agency and overseeing an agency budget approaching $1 billion.
- Brings deep expertise in federal funding, cost allocation, Title IV-E claiming, and fiscal strategies that strengthen child welfare programs.
Elizabeth Black, MSW
- 30+ years of experience in child welfare leadership, helping agencies strengthen practice, build leadership capacity, and improve outcomes for children and families.
- Known for leading large-scale system transformation efforts, implementation initiatives, and community-driven approaches to change.
- 15+ years of experience leading fiscal operations, budget oversight, and financial planning across public, nonprofit, and private organizations.
- Specializes in federal funding, Title IV-E compliance, cost allocation, and maximizing resources to support children and families.
- Works closely with human services agencies to understand emerging priorities and connect organizations with practical solutions.
- Helps build partnerships that support long-term program improvement, organizational effectiveness, and sustainable change.