COVID Impact on African Americans Highlight Racial Disparities in Society
According to a Washington Post more in-depth analysis based on earlier CDC information, the coronavirus “appears to be infecting and killing black Americans at a disproportionately high rate.” As of April 9, 2020, 14,696 people
Talk of Raising Small Business/Charitable Loans
On Tuesday, April 7, the Administration requested another $250 billion for the Small Business Loans that just opened a little more than a week ago. The forgiveness loans are open to small businesses of less
“Heroes Fund” Would Increase Pay to Essential Workers
Senate Democrats unveiled a “Heroes Fund” on Tuesday, April 7. The legislation, announced by Minority Leader Schumer, would create a federally funded program that would allow a $25,000 premium pay increase for essential workers. It
HHS Inspector General Documents the Hospital Crisis During COVID-19
Last week the HHS Office of Inspector General (I.G.) issued Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey March 23–27, 2020. The report stated, “Hospitals reported that their most
New York State Flow Chart on Unemployment Compensation
New York State has created a flow chart that can help unemployed persons understand the routes to unemployment compensation. In non-economic crisis times, the unemployment system is funded, and systems are run by the
Older Foster Youth Priorities During COVID-19
Older youth, including transition-aged youth, in foster care, are most vulnerable during this public health pandemic because of placement instability, placement in congregate settings, disruptions to their education and employment, social isolation, and lack of
U.S. Suicide Rates Increased 35 Percent, Before the Pandemic
Last week the CDC announced that suicide rates increased by 35 percent since the start of this century. From 1999 to 2018, the suicide rate went from 10.5 per 100,000 to 14.2. The CDC
Bipartisan Governors’ Message: Far More Needed, No Time to Waste
Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD) and Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) joined together in a bipartisan plea through the Washington Post: What governors need from Washington during this health emergency. In their comments posted on Tuesday,
CRS Information on Title IV-E FMAP (Matching Funding) Increase
Last week the Congressional Research Services released Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Increase Available for Title IV-E Foster Care and Permanency Payments, a brief description of how the Coronavirus relief package #2 will impact
Foster Parents Should Benefit From Child Credit Economic Payments
As the IRS rolls out the implementation of the economic impact payments, they are still outlining some of the details on who is eligible and how they receive the checks, but coverage will include
Small Business Loans Should Assist Many Nonprofits
According to the Treasury Department, small businesses can apply for emergency loans on Friday, April 3, 2020. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion stimulus bill included $349 billion
Congress On Standby Mode
On Monday, March 30, 2020, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said that the House of Representatives (currently on a scheduled spring break along with the Senate) would not return before April 20. But the
As Package #4 Talks Circulate
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said on a press call Monday, March 30, 2020, that there would be a fourth relief package. The Speaker indicated that she has directed committee chairs to start work on another
Senators Urge Trump Administration to Issue Guidance to Child Welfare Agencies during the Pandemic
On Tuesday, March 31, Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) urged the Trump Administration to provide guidance to child welfare agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter was addressed to Vice President Mike
FosterClub #UpChafee Challenge
On Tuesday, March 31, FosterClub announced the #UPChafee Challenge to bring awareness to the importance of an increase in support for foster youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the message is heard, FosterClub asked
Congress Adopts Coronavirus Emergency Package #3
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate unveiled and passed HR 748, the third COVID-19 emergency spending legislation. The House gave its final approval on Friday. The $2 trillion supplemental package attempts to
What Human Services Funding Was Included in the Emergency Supplemental?
HR 748, the third COVID-19 emergency spending legislation, includes some human services and state relief, but the targeted human services funding did not go as far as many groups had been seeking. The biggest
Virtual Town Hall for Older Foster Youth
On Thursday, March 19, 2020, the Children’s Bureau and Think of Us hosted a Virtual Town Hall for Older Foster Youth.
The hosts in order in which they spoke were: Sixto Cancel, co-founder and CEO of
April 1, 2020 is Census Day
The Census happens once every 10 years. It’s the only official population count of every person in the U.S. The Census counts people at each address—even if those people aren’t related, if they are not
New Family First Clearinghouse Ratings Released
On Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released six more Title IV-E Prevention Services programs and services ratings for the Title IV-E Prevention Services in accordance with the Family First
Planning Title IV-E Prevention Services: A Toolkit for States
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation contracted with Mathematica to provide the Planning Title IV-E Prevention Services: A Toolkit for States that can
Congress Adopts Coronavirus Emergency Package #2 With Third Bill To Follow
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Congress completed work on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, HR 6201:
• An increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid and Title IV-E by 6.2
…Bill Number Three Coronavirus Emergency Package
The President had requested $2.5 billion for coronavirus on February 24, and Congress instead sent him a package of $8.3 billion on March 5, which was followed by last week’s bill that tops $100 billion.
CWLA and Others Express Concerns on COVID-19 and Child Welfare
With the unveiling of the Republican coronavirus # 3, CWLA submitted a letter to Congress outlining some key child welfare concerns. It is challenging to make such recommendations because it isn’t clear how current
How Will Child Welfare and Child Protection Be Affected?
Making recommendations on what actions Congress should take is a challenge because we don’t know how the system will be challenged. Much of child welfare is dependent on relatives for care, whether in formal foster