Early Findings CTC Cutting Food Insecurity
An August analysis based on Census data released after the first Child Tax Credit (CTC) was issued in July indicated that the percentage of American families with kids who report not having enough to eat
House Committee Moves on Child Care and Head Start Expansions
On Thursday, September 9, 2021, the House Education and Labor Committee began their work on that Committee’s reconciliation instruction. A key part of their effort is the expansion of child care, pre-kindergarten, and Head Start.
The
Medicaid Work Waivers Dropped
On August 10, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent letters to the states of Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah that followed up on February 12 letters, rejecting those states Medicaid waivers
SNAP Benefits Get Significant Boost
On Monday, August 16, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Learn How Santa Clara County Got Over $135K to 45 Foster Youth in Need of Income During the Pandemic
On Wednesday, August 18, the John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) webinar, Learn How Santa Clara County Got Over $135K to 45 Foster Youth in Need of
September is Kinship Care Month! Celebrating Kinship Caregiving Families
This September 2021, please join CWLA for a special recognition of all the relatives, extended family members, and tribes and clans who provide round-the-clock protecting and nurturing for children, either through
Education Secretary Tells Local Schools He Has Their Backs On Reopening Schools Safely
On August 13, 2021, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona told the Florida Governor and Education Commissioner that he was “deeply concerned about Florida’s July 30 Executive
Senate Passes Infrastructure Legislation and Resolution
Last week the Senate completed action on a bipartisan infrastructure bill (HR 3684) and then moved a budget resolution that will allow for a budget reconciliation
Children’s Bureau Commits to Advancing Equity
On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, the Children’s Bureau Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg released a letter affirming the Bureau’s commitment to advancing equity through its work at the federal level and through its work with
Senator Burr and Senator Feinstein Introduce Bill to Fix QRTP-IMD Problem
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) have introduced a bill that would clarify that facilities that meet the new Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) requirements under Title IV-E
Rental Assistance is Available to Help Renters and Landlords
Dear CWLA Champions:
Please share this information with you clients, staff, and networks!
If you’re a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs – or if you’re a landlord trying to stay afloat
GAO Report On Child Welfare: Pandemic Posed Challenges, but also Created Opportunities
A new GAO report: CHILD WELFARE Pandemic Posed Challenges, but also Created Opportunities for Agencies to Enhance Future Operations, includes the result of a survey of state and local child welfare agencies on the challenges
Organizations Call for QRTP Facilities Exemption From IMD Restrictions
More than 500 organizations have signed a letter to Congress requesting that residential facilities that meet the new Family First Act “Qualified Residential Treatment Program” (QRTP) standards be exempt from being classified by Medicaid (CMS)
First Piece of Complex American Family Puzzle Moves Forward
In what is likely to be a long fall involving infrastructure, reconciliation, and appropriations, the Senate took its first significant steps late last week with the announcement of a bipartisan infrastructure deal.
On late Wednesday, July
Building the Path Forward: For Change in the Child Welfare System
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) eleven interns presented an experience and research-informed policy recommendation report in a Congressional Briefing entitled Building the Path Forward for Change in the Child Welfare
Increased Suicide Rates Among Children Aged 5 to 11 Years in the U.S.
The JAMA Network new research study, Characteristics and Precipitating Circumstances of Suicide Among Children Aged 5 to 11 Years in the United States, 2013-2017, examined the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), revealing that suicide is
Families Get Up to $3,600 from the Child Tax Credit, Learn How to Get Yours!
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is now available to the families, offering up to $3,600 per child under 6 years old and $3,000 per child between 6 and 17 years old from the IRS. The
House Moves Appropriations Bills Forward
The House of Representatives moved on two significant bills last week that included funding for 9 of the 12 appropriations bills. The first “minibus” appropriations rolled together seven bills, including the appropriations for the Departments of
House To Take Up “Minibus” Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations
The House is scheduled to take up a “minibus” appropriations for full debate and vote on the House floor. Called a minibus instead of an omnibus,
Making the Case for Including Immigration in Reconciliation
CWLA believes 2021 is the year to deliver citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farm workers and essential workers and their families who stepped up to support our country throughout the pandemic while
Over Million Children Worldwide Lose Primary Caregiver Due to Pandemic
A new study by The Lancet, Global minimum estimates of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood and deaths of caregivers: a modelling study, determined that over
ACF Seeks Feedback Clearinghouse Handbook
The Administration is seeking feedback on potential improvements to the Family First Prevention Services Clearinghouse handbook. The request for comments was posted on July 15, 2021, on the Federal Register. The deadline for comments is August
Legislative Action to Prioritize Criminal Justice Reform for Children
Human Rights for Kids hosted a conversation entitled Treat Kids Like Kids: Why Congress Must Prioritize Criminal Justice Reform for Children. The event featured both professionals and individuals with lived experience. They highlighted a series of