Human Service Forum

Eat Up for Heat Up!
2026-01-25 17:00 - 2026-01-31 21:00 (America/New_York)

HSF Signature Breakfast: Legislative Panel
2026-01-30 07:30 - 10:00 | Summit View Banquet and Meeting House, l555 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA, Holyoke, MA, 01040, United States
This event is FULL

Join HSF for one of our Signature Breakfasts. Which means important conversations and networking over comforting breakfast foods and coffee.
This is your chance to talk to the legislatures representing Western Massachusetts IN PERSON. Join us for a panel of State Senators and Representatives over coffee and breakfast. A short Q&A session to take place after panel remarks.
Summit View Banquet and Meeting House, Holyoke MA
$50
SIGN UP FOR OUR WAITING LIST HERE.

Confirmed Legislative Panelists (to date):
Senator Joanne Comerford
Senator John Velis Senior Staff
Representative Natalie Blais
Representative Carlos Gonzalez
Cheryl Spinks, District Legislative Aide from the office of Representative Angelo Puppolo
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa
Representative Susannah Whipps

HSF Breakfast Sponsors:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

HSF Virtual HR Roundtable
2026-02-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Online via Zoom
Open to HSF Members. Join us for a monthly discussion with fellow HR professionals from human service organizations. Connect with others doing similar work, share challenges, and explore solutions. We are stronger together.

Get updates on any Roundtables by registering here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/3s7thg3

If you have not previously attended, or are not registered please contact Jeff Tingley for more information.

Supervisory Skills Certificate Series: Winter 2026
2026-02-04 09:00 - 12:30 | Online via Zoom
Give new supervisors the skills they need to succeed. If you are planning on promoting, or have just promoted someone to a supervisory position help them hit the ground running with this 8 week course. With HSF’s strong team of seasoned presenters covering a wide range of knowledge from different points of view, we cover theory, soft skills, and hard facts. Conversation topics range from harassment law and insurance liability to finding common purpose in a team and how to transition from peer to supervisor, and much much more.
Register an individual who is eligible for a certificate, or a space for your agency to send someone different to each session depending on who the topic will benefit most.
This series is presented over Zoom. Series runs 8 consecutive weeks starting February 4th 9am-12:30pm all session. Full series is $600 for members, $1200 for nonmembers.

Series Topics:

Supervising Former Peers and Establishing Healthy Boundaries- Wednesday February 4th

This training equips internally promoted leaders with the tools to successfully manage former peers while fostering trust, accountability, and healthy team dynamics. Leaders will explore the psychological and practical aspects of transitioning into authority roles, develop strategies for setting and enforcing boundaries, refine their leadership identity, and enhance their communication and feedback techniques.
Presented by Will Weche; Willful Change LLC

Employment Law- Wednesday February 11th

Avoid missteps that can lead to expensive and time-consuming litigation. Learn from practicing attorneys on the wording of the law, along with how that wording is actually applied. Covering a wide range of subjects to clear up misconceptions and acknowledging pitfalls, this session is packed with useful information that every organization needs.
Presented by Skoler-Abbott

Team Building and Conflict Resolution- Wednesday February 18th

Through discussions that will include team activities and individual reflection, forge a shared understanding of team-building and the essential skills for conflict resolution and negotiation that facilitate the development of strong, cohesive, effective teams. Make your team stronger than the sum of their parts, drive unity, and be able to address conflict when it does happen.
Presented by Dr. Lucie Lewis and Janine Fondon

Cyber Security- Wednesday February 25th

With the threat of cyber attacks continuing to rise, with an increased focus on social engineering, no one can afford to hide their heads in the sand and pretend that everything is ok. With a focus on practical, simple, daily steps that one can take, this session seeks to minimize risk to you, your organization, and your clients.
Presented by Chris Wisneski; Whittlesey

Retention: Rewards and Accountability – Wednesday March 4th

People don’t leave jobs; they leave bad supervisors. This session puts a focus on how a supervisor can strengthen and grow those who report to them, creating an environment where employees want to stay. Covering how to multiple the strengths of your team, how to discipline in a way that productive, and how to praise, we will learn how to create a work environment centered on retention.
Presented by Diana Brooks; Diana Brooks Associates

Culturally Responsive Supervision- Wednesday March 11th

Join us as we take a deep look at the many aspects that make up our identities and how they impact our leadership, our organizations and the people we serve. Improve our skills in having conversations about our differences in a way that encourages learning and growth while building intersectional resilience. We will strengthen our ability to have important dialogues, navigate predictable tensions and avoid pitfalls that lead to disconnection. This session helps supervisors cultivate trusting, creative and connected diverse working relationships.
Presented by Regi Wingo and JAC Patriss; Growing a New Heart

Liability and Benefit- Thursday March 19th

Gain a better understanding of Insurance, and how it affects you, your team and your organizations. Understand what coverage you have, and might need, in a variety of situations from daily operations to special fundraising events. Learn the various forms of benefits available to understand what you have and be able to help explain to your team what their options are.
Presented by Ben Garvey and Val Francis; Hub International

Leadership Communication- Wednesday March 25th

This session looks at the building blocks of communicating clear messages to others. In a core aspect of leadership that is often taken for granted, those who excel at communicating often excel in supervision. Learn to avoid noise and interference, and how to properly process feedback to fine tune your messages for clearer understanding.
Presented by Jeff Tingley; Human Service Forum

Supervisory Skills Series Sponsor:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Winter Walk
2026-02-05 08:00 - 17:00
Just one month away from Winter Walk!

Join us on February 5th as we bring Winter Walk 2026 back to the MHA campus! Winter Walk is an initiative that believes ending homelessness is within our reach. Their mission is to raise awareness and crucial funds while supporting organizations dedicated to prevention, support, and care for our homeless community.

100% of the funds raised for our Winter Walk MHA Team will support MHA’s Division of Supportive Housing and its programs, which provide respite and emergency care services for individuals who are currently or about to become unhoused.

To register, make a donation, or learn more, please visit https://fundraisers.winterwalk.org/…/mha-mental-health…

State of the Slate: A quarterly huddle for Clean Slate MA advocates (on zoom)
2026-02-10 18:30 - 19:30
Whether you’re new to the Clean Slate MA coalition or a longtime advocate, this huddle is a place to learn, ask questions, and share information about the legislative campaign to pass Clean Slate laws in Massachusetts.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/StateOfTheSlate-Feb10

A Spell of Laughter & Illusion
2026-02-12 18:30 - 21:30
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 6:30 PM

Prepare to be amazed as you, your friends, or even strangers in the audience become the stars of the show. Frank Santos Jr. possesses the remarkable ability to make participants believe they are singers, dancers, and much more. This performance transforms the audience into the main attraction.
This hilarious, energetic, and unique show is one you will cherish long after it concludes.
Arrive early for refreshments and bites, available for purchase, at Sole Syndicate Brewing Co. (formerly Iron Duke Brewing).
Ticket price: $40.
Please note that all ticket sales are final and non-refundable. By purchasing a ticket, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms.

HSF I.T. Roundtable
2026-02-19 09:00 - 10:30 | Online via Zoom
A benefit for HSF members. IT professionals in Human Services — you are not alone! Join peers in a monthly roundtable discussion to connect with others who understand your work, crowdsource solutions, and share challenges. We are stronger together.
Get updates on any Roundtables by registering here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/3s7thg3

If you have not previously attended, or are not registered please contact Jeff Tingley for more information.
