June is Reunification Month
National Reunification Month was created in 2010 by the American Bar Assocation (ABA) to celebrate the people and efforts around the country that help families stay together. According to AFCARS
Foster Youth and Driving Act
On Friday June 3rd, 2022, House Ways and Means Worker & Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-chair Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
House Judiciary Committee Approves Gun Control Package
On Thursday, June 2nd, the House Judiciary Committee approved the “Protecting our Kids Act,” a wide-ranging package of gun control legislation, as a response to the tragic shootings in recent
Formula Shortage Discussions Continue
On May 25, 2022, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing, “The Infant Formula Crises,”
Statement on Recent Acts of Violence
CWLA joins the country in mourning the tragedies of the past two weeks, first in Buffalo, NY, and now in Uvalde, TX. Once again, senseless gun violence strains our
Gun Control Debate Takes Center Stage
In response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, a small bipartisan group of nine Senators, led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) met on Thursday, May 26,
Reconciliation Negotiations Revived
This week, Axios reported that Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have revived their discussions about a reconciliation package.
FDA Commissioner Says Formula Shortage Could last until July
During a Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on Thursday, May 26th, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert
Youth with Lived Experience Speak in Congressional Briefing
On Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, youth serving organizations, in partnership with the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, Congressional Foster Youth Caucus, and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus, held a
Creating Partnership in Kinship Treatment Foster Care
In honor of National Foster Care Month, the Capacity Building Center for States hosted “Creating Partnership in Kinship Treatment Foster Care” on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 to take a look
Congress and White House Address Formula Shortage
This week, Congress and the White House took steps to address the nationwide baby formula shortage, seeking to ease the burden especially for families with low incomes and those who
New Child Care Proposal on the Table
On Monday, May 16th, 2022, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) officially announced their revamped child care and early learning reconciliation proposal.
FDA Commissioner Testifies about Budget, Formula Shortage
On Thursday, May 19th, 2022, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held its hearing, “Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request
GAO Report: Supporting LGBTQ, Religious Youth in Foster Care
On Friday, May 20th, the Government Accountability Office released its new report, “Foster Care: Further Assistance from HHS Would be Helpful in Supporting Youth’s LGBTQ+
Senate Democrats Revamp Child Care Proposal
Last weekend, on Sunday, May 9th, 2022, Politico reported that Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) is in
ZERO TO THREE Releases State of Babies Yearbook: 2022
ZERO TO THREE released the State of Babies Yearbook: 2022 on May 3rd, 2022, in a virtual briefing featuring ZERO TO THREE Chief Policy Officer Miriam Calderón, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Sen. Bob Casey
NAMD Releases Policy Brief on IMD Exclusion
In an issue brief dated April 18, 2022, the National Association of Medicaid Directors has highlighted that The IMD exclusion can make it challenging for state Medicaid programs to meet the behavioral health needs
Secretary Becerra Defends HHS Guidance on Gender-Affirming Care
On Wednesday, May 5th, 2022, during the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing about the President’s FY23 Health and Human Services Budget request, Senator Braun (R-IN) used
Senate Banking Subcommittee Holds Child Care Hearing
On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Economic Policy Subcommittee of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing, “Child Care and Other Policy Tools to Combat Bottlenecks and Inflation.”
Chair Senator Warren
Child Care Workers Quitting the Industry
Employment rates in daycare remain about 10% below pre-pandemic levels, much lower than other industries, according to a timely article from Bloomberg. While Congress continues to debate how to help families access child care,
Gun-Related Deaths of Children on the Rise
Injuries are the most common cause of death among children and adolescents, and for more than 60 years, motor vehicle crashes were the top cause of the injury-related deaths for children.
May is National Foster Care Month
“National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau. Each May, we take time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community
Hot Topic: Extend Foster Care to Age 21 in All States
The CLWA recommends Congress extend foster care to age 21 so that every young person in foster care will have an option to stay in care, resulting in improved education, housing, and employment outcomes.
In 2008,