ANTICIPATING CASEWORK
Almost all casework comes back in some way to agencies’ digital infrastructure: how constituents interact with websites and forms, how cases and files are created and handed between business units, and notices or payments are received or issued. But for casework teams, these can sometimes be some of the most opaque and frustrating elements of understanding agency processes.
In this series, former digital staff from casework agencies will join us to answer your questions on how agencies’ digital infrastructure is built, managed, and modernized, how they anticipate any challenges showing up in caseworker inboxes this year, and tips for caseworkers on effective inquiries. For each event, they will be joined by nonpartisan civil society representatives who can help contextualize what agency changes mean on the ground.
ABOUT THIS TRAINING
While many offices do not directly handle SNAP, SNAP benefits interlock with many other benefits in a federal casework portfolio, including SSI and VA — and understanding the impact of potential changes to the program on your colleagues in state legislatures can also help plan for increasing workloads and triage.
In this nonpartisan webinar, we will discuss the changes to SNAP included in the current reconciliation package, and other developments happening with USDA and state-level SNAP programs to anticipate future trends in SNAP-related casework.
SPEAKERS
Rebecca Piazza has more than 25 years of experience improving government technology and making public services more accessible, effective, and human-centered. Her experience transforming civic technology spans federal, state, and local levels, with leadership roles in both government and the private sector.
Most recently, Rebecca served as Chief of Staff for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service during the Biden-Harris administration. She first joined FNS in 2021 as Senior Advisor for Delivery, where she collaborated with programs like SNAP and WIC to modernize benefit delivery through service design and technology.
Before USDA, Rebecca was Vice President of Program Delivery at Nava Public Benefit Corporation, managing a broad portfolio of projects aimed at improving digital services for those who rely on them most. She also served as Acting Executive Director of 18F at the General Services Administration, leading a team of technologists to enhance the user experience of government services.
Earlier in her career, Rebecca worked as a software developer and product manager on initiatives ranging from department of motor vehicles modernization to improving the military's cybersecurity. She is a certified Project Management Professional and holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Tulane University.
Dana Chisnell is a pioneering civic designer dedicated to improving government services through human-centered design. She was the first head of customer experience at the Department of Homeland Security. Dana co-founded the Center for Civic Design, where she led initiatives like the Field Guides to Ensuring Voter Intent, and designed the prototype that is the basis of nearly every digital ballot in the US. As a founding member of the US Digital Service, Dana contributed to modernizing federal digital services. She has taught design in government at Harvard Kennedy School and co-authored the seminal Handbook of Usability Testing.
Dave Guarino is Director of Emerging Technology at Propel. He is a SNAP expert and technologist who has been working for more than 10 years to increase access to safety net benefits using tech.
Prior to joining Propel, Dave was the cofounder and director of GetCalFresh, a digital SNAP assister service that simplified applying for food stamps in California, serving millions of households. He has also spent time in state and federal government working to make public benefits more accessible.
Through both his work and in a volunteer capacity, Dave has directly assisted thousands of people in navigating the SNAP program's complicated rules and sometimes-difficult processes.
Dave's work to help people get SNAP has been recognized with a Social Services Community Recognition Award (San Diego County Social Services Advisory Board) in 2018 and a Hunger Fighter Award (California Hunger Action Coalition) in 2019. He was also nominated for a "Freshy Award" for SNAP Outreach Leader of the Year in 2019.
MODERATOR
Anne Meeker is Deputy Director of POPVOX Foundation, and a former House caseworker. She was a founding member of the POPVOX Foundation team as Director of Special Initiatives. She previously served as Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Seth Moulton, where she worked to use data and technology to deliver smarter casework services to residents of the MA06. Anne holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Oxford (St. Hugh's College), and an MSc in History from the London School of Economics. She is also a proud Clevelander, and will take any opportunity to talk up the Rust Belt.