TANF Extension Passes Senate, President Expected to Sign
The President has signed an extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The action was on track before the temporary reprieve from the government shutdown was agreed to last Friday. On
CWLA Reaches Out to Freshman Class
This week CWLA reached out to the more than 100 new members of the 116th Congress with a child welfare background package of information including Investing in All of Child Welfare. This piece argues
Danny Davis Heads Up House Worker and Family Support Subcommittee
The House Democrats and Republicans announced appointments to various subcommittees last week. Friend and advocate for children’s issues, Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL)—past recipient of a CWLA Congressional Advocate of the Year—has been named the chair
CWLA Joins Many Others in Support of Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
On Tuesday, January 16, an impressive array of state and national organizations joined in support of Tribal nations and representatives in defense of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The briefs were filed with the
TANF Extension Passes House, Next Senate?
Last week the House of Representatives passed a short term extension of the Temporary assistance for Needy Families (TANF), HR 430. The bill would extend the block grant through June 30, 2019. It is
Fresh Tracks Program for Young People
Tessa Buttram and Kylie Hunter
On Thursday, January 17, 2019, the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute held a forum on Youth-Led Organizing and Civic Engagement in the Outdoors. The Fresh Tracks program
Brookings Event Highlights CHAMPS-Foster Parent Recruitment
Last week the Brookings Institution hosted a convening of the CHAMPS campaign to discuss strategies to increase the number of foster families across the country. CHAMPS is a project funded by several foundations led by
House Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Discusses 2019 Agenda
On Thursday, January 17, 2019, the chairs of Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth held a welcome back event with the staff on Capitol Hill and advocates to discuss issues affecting youth in the child welfare
Human Service Impact Climbs
The ongoing government shutdown is a mixed bag in terms of human services funding and which programs, and, by extension, people are most vulnerable. As part of the five appropriations bills that were signed on
Senate Legislation Introduced to Extend Title IV-E Waivers
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) have introduced the State Flexibility for Family First Transitions Act. It would allow current Title IV-E waiver states to extend their child welfare waivers for
Home Visiting Organization Briefs New Congress
On Tuesday, January 8 at the Association of State and Tribal Home Visiting Initiatives (ASTHI) held one of the first briefings on Capitol Hill for the new Congress.
The focus of the briefing was to explain
Loan Forgiveness for Social Workers and Others Not Working
According to research by the newspaper USA Today, despite the fact that you can get loan forgiveness for public service—including social workers in a child welfare agency, after working for ten years, the vast majority
Federal Government to Close Immigrant Camp
The Administration announced last week that it is closing the emergency tent camp for migrant children in Tornillo, Texas. In November, the Inspector General for HHS released an inspection report to Assistant Secretary Lynn
Children’s Bureau: FFA Services List of Well-Supported, Supported and Promising to Be Released in May
In a letter dated, January 2, 2019 the Children’s Bureau informed state child welfare directors that all programs and services will be rated using the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Handbook of Standards and Procedures in the
Budget Impasse Starts to Have Impact
This week is likely to see the first full effects of the partial government shutdown although for over 800,000 workers that has been felt since December 21, 2018. On Friday after a reportedly contentious meaning
Child Trends Survey Shows State Child Welfare Spending Consistent with Past
This past December, Child Trends released a new survey of state child welfare spending based on 2016 state fiscal years. The biennial survey indicates that overall spending in combined federal, state and local child
Child Trends Survey Shows Waivers Are Funding Traditional IV-E Services
The new Child Trends survey of state child welfare spending indicates that the overwhelming use of Title IV-E funding through Title IV-E waivers has been used for services that can be currently paid for
ACA Legal Defense Picks Up Supporters
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) received some new support in defense of its existence last week. As part of the new House rules package, the Speaker can weigh-in with the courts in support of the
Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Legislation Passes Unanimously
Shaquita Ogletree
On Thursday, December 13, Congress passed H.R. 6964, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018. It has been 16 years since the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) was last authorized.
Budget Deadline 21st, Could Be First Issue for New Congress
The House wrapped up early Thursday and is not scheduled to return until next Wednesday at the earliest. House members left without any indication of what they would be doing this week when funding expires
Children’s Bureau Family First Call This Week
When the Children’s Bureau released their first guidance on services provided through the Family First Act, they also announced two call to provided further information. Those calls will be on Monday, December 17, 2018 from
Court Ruling on ACA Sets Up Continued Debate on ACA in 2019
Late on Friday, December 14, Judge Reed O’Connor, Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, issued a court ruling, that strikes down the ACA in its entirety.
For now there
Agriculture Bill is Reauthorized
As part of the year-end clean up, Congress approved an Agriculture Reauthorization. The bill was unveiled Monday night and then quickly approved by the Senate by a vote of 87-13, an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote by
Sesame Street Addresses Family Homelessness
Shaquita Ogletree
The PBS children’s show, Sesame Street is now addressing homelessness. Muppet Lily storyline includes the 7-year-old facing homelessness, and on Thursday, December 13 the Sesame Street in Communities held a forum to discuss
Tribal Plans and Family First Services
In addition to last week’s HHS announcement on state guidance (ACYF-CB-PI-18-09) and a preliminary list of services (Attachment C) under the Family First Prevention Services Act (PL 115-123)—(FFA), the Children’s Bureau released guidance