Webinar: Tailoring 988 and Mobile Crisis Response for Children
First Focus on Children hosted a panel on analyzing the new national 9-8-8 crisis number on October 20th, 2022. Elaine Dalpiz and Averi Akulis
Protect ICWA
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) protects American Indian and Alaska Native children in child welfare proceedings by keeping them in the care of extended family or tribes whenever possible.
Senate Companion for Foster Youth and Driving Act Introduced
On October 3rd, Senators Hassan (D-NH), and Young (R-IN) introduced the bipartisan Senate companion bill to the Foster Youth and Driving Act, originally introduced in the House by
First Focus Releases Children’s Budget Book
First Focus on Children hosted their annual Children’s Budget Summit on October 6th, 2022. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) welcomed the summit and discussed the
Include the Expanded CTC in Year-End Tax Bills
On September 23rd, 2022, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released a new paper highlighting the success of the Expanded Child Tax
White House Sets High Bar for Hunger and Nutrition Policy
The Biden Administration hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. This was the first White House Conference on these topics in more
Ways and Means Marks Up Home Visiting Reauthorization Bill
On Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 the Ways and Means Committee marked up the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Act of 2022, which
Strengthening Courts for Kids and Families Act
On September 20th, 2022, Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) introduced the Strengthening Courts for Kids and Families Act, a bill to reauthorize the Court Improvement
Home Visiting Reauthorization Regains Momentum
For the past few weeks, advocates for home visiting programs have been working with the House Ways and Means Committee staff to make progress on reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant, and
Advocates Urge Child Nutrition Updates Ahead of White House Conference
In a blog post published on August 31, 2022, the American Federation for State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) noted that the White House’s
Child Tax Credit Contributes to 46% Reduction in Poverty
On Tuesday, September 13th, the U.S. Census Bureau released new poverty data. Child poverty, calculated by the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), fell to its
New Data Details Significant Decline in Child Poverty Since 1993
On Sunday, September 11th, the New York Times, in conjunction with Child Trends, published a new analysis which reports that childhood poverty has fallen
Important Legislation for Children and Families Still Pending
Major child welfare legislation that is up for reauthorization this year is still pending, with negotiations continuing among the committee staff and leadership. The House has passed the Stronger
Research Highlights Importance of Licenses for Youth in Foster Care
On July 14, 2022, the Congressional Caucus for Foster Youth (CCFY) held a dinner event at the Capitol to highlight the recently-introduced Foster Youth and
Senators Schumer, Manchin Release Reconciliation Deal
On Wednesday, July 27th, 2022, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced that they had reached a deal on a budget reconciliation package, two weeks after negotiations on
Congressional Briefing on Child Nutrition
First Focus on Children and The Education Trust cohosted a background briefing on child nutrition policy on July 26, 2022, titled, “A 101 Briefing on
Child Nutrition Reauthorization Gets Marked Up
On Wednesday, July 26, 2022, the House Committee on Education and Labor held a markup on H.R. 8450, Healthy
Access to Foster Care to 21 Act
On Thursday, July 21, 2022, the Child Welfare League of America, alongside Youth Villages, hosted an open mic to discuss the Access to Foster Care
House Budget Committee Hearing on Investing in Children
On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the House Budget Committee held the hearing “Examining the Powerful Impact of Investments in Early Childhood for Children, Families, and
Reconciliation Marches Forward
The Senate continues to work on a slimmed-down budget reconciliation package that would extend ACA subsidies for two years and allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug costs on certain
Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act
On July 20, 2022, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-CA) released the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, his Child Nutrition Reauthorization
Association Between Food Assistance, Child Welfare Involvement
A study by University of Kansas researchers and colleagues at two other universities reported every 5% increase in enrollment in the federal nutrition assistance
Foster Youth Internship Program Holds Briefing for Congress
On Wednesday, July 30, 2022, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption institute (CCAI) held their annual Foster Youth Internship Program Congressional Briefing webinar. The FYI
Children’s Safe Welcome Act
On July 13, 2022, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Representative Karen Bass (D-CA), and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the bicameral