Expanded ACA Access Through Marketplace This Month
April 1, 2021, started the implementation of new and additional tax credits for health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The March American Rescue Plan provided significant increases in
FDIC Launches #GetBanked Campaign to Address Millions of ‘Unbanked’ Americans
There is little argument that millions of Americans are in need of assistance. However, once funds like pandemic-related stimulus payments are disbursed, how will those Americans receive their payments? The usual
Congress Returns For Start of Appropriations and Another Reconciliation
Congress returns this week with a busy two months before the next holiday on Memorial Day. Since the spring break, the President has released his infrastructure bill’s outlines with expectations that a second part or
Record Numbers at Border
On Thursday, April 8, 2021, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released monthly data on border crossing, which found that over 18,800 unaccompanied children crossed the border in March. That exceeds any
Week of the Young Child
We’re excited to announce that NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child is here! During the week of April 10-16, join us in celebrating young children and the systems that support them.
This is an opportunity
Biden Expected to Reveal More on Major Budget Initiatives
On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, President Biden will be in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to deliver a speech that will describe his vision and major next steps for his economic agenda.
Last week several publications wrote of major
President To Release Part of FY 2022 Budget This Week
Congress is starting its spring break these next two weeks, but the Biden Administration will still release their proposed discretionary appropriations numbers while members are on recess. The House returns on April 13, 2021, and
Call to Action: Urge Your Representative to Sign the Bipartisan CAPTA Appropriations Letter
This week, a bipartisan Dear Colleague letter was circulated in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Congressmen Frank Mrvan (D-IN), and Dusty Johnson (R-SD). As the Dear Colleague
Sign-On to Support Permanent Improvements to the Child Tax Credit, EITC, and CDCTC
CWLA and other national and state groups signed a letter calling on the President to make permanent the improvements to the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and the Child and Dependent
Biden Celebrates ACA Anniversary By Extending Open Enrollment
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, President Biden celebrated the 11th anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by extending the current open enrollment until August 15, 2021. The announcement extends a special pandemic-related
Joint Congressional Town Hall with Congressmen Don Bacon & Dan Kildee
On Monday, March 22, 2021, National Foster Youth Institute hosted Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska (R-NE) and Representative Dan Kildee of Michigan (D-MI) to discuss the reintroduction of the bipartisan Fostering Postsecondary Success for Foster and Homeless
Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Summary and Highlights of the Program Instruction (Part II)
On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, FosterClub and Juvenile Law Center with Youth Villages provided a second summary of the older youth sections of the Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act program instructions
The American Rescue Plan Act: What’s In It (Part 2)
This is a continuation of last week’s description of the American Rescue Plan Act. The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief measure has a lot in it that directly and indirectly addresses the impact of this year-long pandemic.
Becerra Becomes New HHS Head
On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the Senate gave final approval to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The narrow vote of 50 to 49 represents an attempt
House Passes Bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention Bill
On Tuesday, March 16, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 485 – Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) by 345-73, and now it heads to the Senate. It proposes robust funding increases for
Simple Choices, Simple Solutions in Examining Diaper Need
On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, a panel of experts discussed how businesses, nonprofits, and the government could work together to address diaper needs, a growing public health issue. Before the pandemic, 1 in 5 babies
Child Trends Child Welfare Spending Report Out, TANF Reporting Adds to Picture
Child Trends has released the new biennial report on state spending on child welfare, Child Welfare Financing SFY 2018, and it shows little dramatic difference
Child and Youth Homelessness Relief in the American Rescue Plan Act
SchoolHouse Connection and National Network for Youth hosted a webinar on Wednesday, March 16, that discussed the American Rescue Plan Act and what it means for children
The House Passes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, the House of Representatives passed HR 1620, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, in a vote of 244-172. This legislation protects and provides resources for victims of domestic abuse
House Passes Dreamers Bill
On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the House of Representatives voted 228 to 197 for HR 6, the American Dream and Promise Act.
New Guidance & Instructions to the Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, the Children’s Bureau released guidance on implementing funds appropriated by The Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed in December 2020 by
Temporary Flexibilities for Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program
The Children’s Bureau released the program instructions, ACYF-CB-PI-21-05, for IV-E agencies authorizing programmatic flexibilities from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, for Kinship Navigator Programs. Currently, none of the kinship navigator program models have
The American Rescue Act: What’s In It (Part 1)
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief measure has a lot in it that directly and indirectly addresses the impact of this year-long pandemic. It includes several issues that have received increased focus because of this past year’s
Administration Allocates Funds To Target Vaccinations in Underserved Areas
Last week the Biden Administration announced the release of $250 million through the HHS Office of Minority Health for initiatives to promote vaccinations to minority and other underserved populations.
Senate HELP Committee Hearing: Examining the Current COVID Response
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions held a hearing entitled “Examining Our COVID-19 Response: An Update from the Frontlines.”
Chairwoman Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted over half