Children’s Bureau Modifies Some Requirements in Light of COVID-19
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020 the Children’s Bureau issued new guidance on certain key practices. Dear Child Welfare Leaders:
“In light of the extraordinary circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide public health emergency, we
DC Child Welfare Agency Responds to COVID-19
The Child and Family Service Agencies (CFSA) in Washington, D.C. has made changes to services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While the government agency is still providing services, the front-line staff and supervisors of
CWLA Postpones Conference Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Dear CWLA Colleagues,
CWLA was founded 100 years ago by a group of child- and family-serving organizations who were committed to improving the health and well-being of children and families across the country. As we approach
Children’s Bureau Head Calls on Child Welfare Directors to Look Out For Current and Former Youth in Foster Care
On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Associate Commissioner for the Children’s Bureau, Jerry Milner, called on child welfare agencies to look out for youth in foster care or formerly in foster care who are now on
House Works to Move on Covid-19 Virus Relief Package
After several days of back and forth, the House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, HR 6201, on Friday night. The House vote was 363 to 40. The Senate left on
Why We Need to Count All Kids in Census 2020
The Constitution requires an accurate count of the nation’s population-–a census–every ten years. Unfortunately, the 2010 census missed more than 10 percent of young children, about 2.2 million children, age four or younger. Unless we
Combatting Child Poverty in America
On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the House Ways and Means Worker and Family Support Subcommittee held a hearing on “Combating Child Poverty in America.” The hearing focused on how we can work to end child
U.S. Supreme Court to Take up Affordable Care Act
On Monday, March 2, 2020, the Supreme Court announced it will take up a case that could ultimately strike down the Affordable Care Act (ACA), that is what its opponents are hoping. It also means
1-Year Anniversary of the Reducing Child Poverty Roadmap Report
On Tuesday, March 3, 2020, the Subcommittee on Appropriations for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled “Reducing Child Poverty.” Seven witnesses gave testimony: Dolores Acevedo-Garci,
Children’s Bureau Guidance on Family First Transition Act Funds
The Children’s Bureau released guidance on implementing funds appropriated by the Family First Transition Act, passed in December 2019 by Congress. The Program Instruction, ACYF-CB-PI-20-04, provides guidance States, Territories, and Indian Tribes about what
New Family First Clearinghouse Ratings Released
On Friday, March 6, 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
The Connection Between Foster Care and Prison
On Monday, March 2, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) hosted “Foster care and Prison: Connecting the (right) dots.” Naomi Schaefer Riley, a resident fellow at AEI, led the panel’s discussion on youth’s outcomes after involvement
Wyden-Warren Demand Answers on ICE Use of Child Therapy Notes
On March 2, 2020, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) demanded answers on reports that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was using confidential child therapy sessions notes in making deportation
Home Visiting Model Role in Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
On Wednesday, March 4, Parents as Teachers (PATs) held a briefing, “The Role Home Visiting Plays in Reducing,” to discuss the power and impact of home visiting during a time when the United States is
Family Judge’s Role in Ensuring Timely and Safe Family Reunification
On March 4, 2020, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) hosted a briefing, “Ensuring Timely and Safe Family Reunification: A Juvenile and Family Court Judge’s Role in Providing Hope for a
Maryland’s Family First Plan Approved
Last week Maryland became the fourth child welfare agency to receive federal approval of their Family First plan. They join Arkansas, Utah, and the District of Columbia as child welfare systems with approved plans.
“I’m so
U.S. Supreme Court to Take up Philadelphia Case on Foster Care Placements
On Monday, February 24, 2020, the Supreme Court announced it will take up a case pursued by Catholic Charities of Philadelphia claiming the City of Philadelphia was engaged in religious discrimination when it pulled a
Appropriations Schedule Set for April Action
A leaked copy of the House Appropriations Committee schedule was published in Roll Call and included a timeline for House Appropriations action.
The Subcommittee on Appropriations for Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (Labor-HHS) will be taken up
America’s Opioid Epidemic: Lessons Learned & A Way Forward
On Wednesday, February 26, The Hill hosted “America’s Opioid Epidemic: Lessons Learned & A Way Forward” sponsored by Indivior, a pharmaceutical company. According to a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Oversight and Reform Committee Address the Administration’s Religious Liberty Assault on LGBT Rights
On Thursday, February 27, 2020, Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Chairman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing entitled
Preventing Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault
Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) hosted a briefing on prevention services surrounding teen dating violence and sexual assault on Friday, February 28. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) and Congresswomen Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Ann
Administration Seeks Comments on Changes to Poverty Measure
The Administration (through a request by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)) is seeking comments on how to change the U.S. poverty measure. Changes in the poverty measure would affect how and if
#100YEARSOFCWLA Looking Back At History
1978:
Representing the Child Welfare League of America, Helen Blank and William L. Pierce testified before the Subcommittee on Nutrition of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee on April 11, 1978. Their testimony
National Youth in Transition Database Report to Congress
On February 18, 2020, the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) report to Congress was released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NYTD survey youth and young adults who experienced